Cereal improvements in dry areas : cooperative cereal improvement in Tunisia (1980-1985)

This paper provides detailed discussion of barley breeding and cereal pathology research conducted by ICARDA and its principal partner in the project, the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie (INRAT). The breeding program has identified and released from ICARDA"s international nurseries three varieties (Roho, Taj, and Faiz) which have, on average, outyielded local cultivars by 30% and are now in commercial cultivation. A fourth variety (Rihane"s"), which is more disease-resistant than the released varieties and has higher yields across various rainfall conditions, is currently being tested. The pathology program has: evaluated thousands of wheat and barley varieties for disease resistance; identified and begun large-scale trials of two lines - Bobwhite 1 and Sunbird"s" - that are resistant to septoria leaf blotch, yellow rust, and tan spot, and have high yield potential as well; developed a practical method for screening against barley stripe disease; and generally improved ICARDA germplasm resistance to septoria leaf blotch under Tunisian conditions. Results of research on the grain quality of durum wheat, bread wheat, and barley lines are also outlined. Project training is reviewed more briefly and areas for future research are identified.