INTRODUCTION:

A significant hectarage of barley is grown under high elevation (> 1000 m.a.s.l.) environments in Pakistan where cold and drought are most occurring stresses. Unfortunately, not much attention was given in the past to develop barley materials for the northern mountains where barley is used for feed as well as human food. In addition to severe climatic conditions, one of the major constraints to barley production in the mountains is the lack of suitable varieties. The varieties developed for plains, generally, are not suitable for high elevation areas because of specific plant ideotype requirements of those areas. Under a collaborative project with Agha Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP), a diagnostic survey was done by Cereal Improvement Program at National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Islamabad to identify researchable issues regarding cereal production in northern highland areas (Gilgit and Skardu) of the country. Based on the survey some major constraints were identified in each cropping zone where research is required to find suitable solutions.

CROPPING SYSTEMS:

Three major cropping systems are practiced by the farmers in the area at different elevations:

1) Double cropping-200% cropping intensity = 1200-1800 meter above sea level

2) Transitional intensity-200% and/or 100% cropping = 1800-2200 meter above sea level

3) Single cropping-100% cropping intensity = 2200-3000 meter above sea level

MAJOR CONSTRAINTS:

1. LACK OF SUITABLE VARIETIES

More than eighty percent area is planted under unimproved local landraces which are well

dapted to the climatic conditions of the area but are susceptible to diseases, with low yield potential.

2. MATURITY AND CROP PHENOLOGY

Lack of early maturing cold tolerant varieties to fit in the double and transitional cropping systems due to the climatic limitation.

3. MOISTURE STRESS

A prolonged juvenile drought and cold stress in transitional cropping zone (4-5 months moisture stress in early crop season) results in poor crop stand and crop development.

4. COLD TOLERANCE/GROWTH HABIT

Spring planting is done mostly under existing situation due to non-availability of cold tolerant winter or facultative cultivars, which gives low yield. Therefore, there is a need to introduce cold tolerant winter and facultative types for planting in single cropping system to maximize production in the area.

5. MAJOR DISEASES

Rusts are major diseases in the area. Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) and powdery mildew are the other diseases in the northern parts of the country.

6. QUALITY EVALUATION

Hull-less types are grown on major area to use as food. No information on quality parameters like proteins, digestible energy, soluble fibre, etc. is available for the local hull-less varieties grown in the area, and not any research has been carried out to improve the productivity of hull-less barley for this reason.

FUTURE RESEARCH NEEDS

Major research steps will be undertaken for barley improvement in highlands of the country, in collaboration with ICARDA which has global mandate for barley improvement.

Collection and characterization of local types from the area and use in hybridization program.

Establish a testing/evaluation site in each of the cropping zone to identify suitable winter and facultative types for the area.

Initiate research for the improvement of hull-less barley.

A continuous monitoring/survey regarding diseases, environmental variation, varietal diffusion, yield levels and other farm related issues.

Epidemiological studies these areas have relevance to Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikstan and Uzbekistan.

Improving national scientists skills with the help of international agencies for cold and drought screening techniques (breeding, physiological and molecular).

Quality evaluation of local hull-less types being used as food by the people in the area.