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A Comparison of the Performance of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Barley Populations¹

Twenty-three mixtures of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties were compared with their components for yielding ability and for yield stability at five locations in California over 2 years. The mixtures had a small advantage in yield over the average of the varieties but were inferior to their components in stability of yield. The yield advantage of mixtures decreased when environmental heterogeneity was reduced by excluding data from the most extreme location. The number or diversity of components in a mixture appeared unrelated to its yield. Certain F₂ populations, included in the second year, were higher yielding but less stable than their parents. It was concluded that simple varietal mixtures have limited commercial possibilities and that special breeding programs may be necessary if favorable inter-genotypic interactions are to be utilized.

Key Words: Varietal mixtures • Yield stability

² Formerly Research Assistant (now Assistant Professor, Faclilty of Genetics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio) and Professor of Agronomy and Genetics, University of California.

Received for publication July 17, 1968.