Characterization of exotic barley genotypes for barley yellow dwarf virus in District Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Barley yellow dwarf disease (BYDD) is a destructive viral disease of cereals. Globally significant yield losses were recorded in cereal crops; BYDD losses in barley ranged from 25 to 30%. In the Province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan sever yield losses were also recorded in cereal crops. Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) prevalence, incidence, symptoms, severity and resistance were studied in a set of 26 exotic barley genotypes along with two local barley genotypes (Sanober-96 and Ajj) over two years in district Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. During the study period barley/cereal yellow dwarf virus (B/CYDV) symptoms were consistently and uniformly observed. Variations observed among phenotypic assessments with regards to percent Barley yellow dwarf disease (BYDD) severity and incidence (infected tillers/plot) was found among the genotypes. The highest BYDD severity (60%) and incidence (65%) were recorded during barley growing season 2017. A significant interaction among genotypes and years was found (P<0.05) while the interaction among genotypes cross years were found non-significant. Six genotypes, B-SA-1, B-SA-10, B-SA-11, B-SA-13, B-SA-19, and B-SA-14, were found resistant to BYDV. On the basis of presence of phenotypic markers “the leaf tip necrosis (LTN)” which is linked with BYDV resistant gene Bdv1. Improvement in cultivation of indigenous and exotic wheat and barley varieties with BYDV resistant genes could be possible to combat with this serious problem in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.