Evaluating genetic contribution to mitigation of barley grain yield
penalty caused by soil waterlogging
Abstract
In-crop soil waterlogging caused by extreme rainfall events, high ground
water tables, excessive irrigation and lateral ground water flow inhibit
potential grain yields. However, the extent to which yield is influenced
by the timing and duration of waterlogging relative to crop phenology is
unknown. To investigate this, we conducted various waterlogging
treatments on a range of modern barley genotypes varying in their
waterlogging tolerance, with tolerance conferred through aerenchyma
formation under oxygen deficit conditions. Results showed that yield was
reduced by 35% in W1 (waterlogging at Zadoks stage (ZS) 12.5 for one
month) to 52% in WL3 (waterlogging at ZS 15 for two months) due to
fewer spikes/m2 and kernels/spike. Two weeks waterlogging at ear
emergency stage had the greatest impact on yield (70% reduction) due to
its effect on spikelet fertility and grain filling. Phenology was
delayed 1-8 ZS at the end of waterlogging treatments, with the
waterlogging-susceptible cultivar Franklin showing the greatest delays,
and waterlogging tolerant genotypes capable of AF (Macquarie+, TAMF169)
having the least delays (0-4 ZS). Genotypes with the AF QTL (Macquarie+)
showed a slight and nonsignificant yield reduction compared with
unwaterlogged controls and mitigated around 23% yield loss under early
phenological waterlogging stress.