MILLING ENERGY POLYMORPHISM IN HORDEUM-SPONTANEUM KOCH IN ISRAEL AND ITS POTENTIAL UTILIZATION IN BREEDING FOR MALTING QUALITY

Variation for grain milling energy in Hordeum vulgare is associated wi th differences in grain size, shape and composition. Genetic polymorph isms within and between populations were found across the ecogeographi cal range of Hordeum spontaneum in Israel. Low milling energy estimate s were positively correlated with and predictable by the aridity index . Milling energy in H. spontaneum, collected in Israel, ranged from th e lowest values seen in malting barley to twice the highest values see n in feed cultivars. It is concluded that H. spontaneum elite genotype s could be effectively identified by milling energy for use in the bre eding of new cultivars.