UTILIZATION OF EXOTIC GERMPLASM IN NORDIC BARLEY BREEDING AND ITS CONSEQUENCES FOR ADAPTATION

Utilization of exotic germplasm is one way to broaden genetic variatio n in breeding populations. This approach has recently been adopted in Sweden and Finland, where experimental barley populations has been est ablished for research and pre-breeding purposes. The aim of the projec t is threefold: (1) to increase overall genetic diversity of Nordic ba rley breeding material; (2) to develop breeding material which possess es a high level of resistance for various barley diseases; and (3) to study effects of exotic germplasm on adaptation and agronomic performa nce. Both the Finnish and the Swedish barley populations include the s ame exotic material i.e. unadapted landraces from different parts of A sia and wild barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum) accessions. Loca lly adapted high-yielding barley lines were included in the population s. The establishment of these populations involved six crossing genera tions in order to promote recombination and enhance the break-up of li nkage blocks. The paper discusses the third aim of the project. Studie s on agronomic performance and adaptation showed that (1) agronomicall y valuable genotypes can be constructed through recombination using ex otic germplasm for Nordic conditions, (2) that incorporation of exotic material is most successful when made in a local genetic base and (3) that exotic germplasm has an effect on adaptation.