Behdan, barley cultivar suitable for cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions of the country

Behdan barley cultivar with pedigree of Soufara-02/3/RM1508/Por//Wi2269/4/Hml-02-ArabiAbiad//ER/Apm was introduced in 2007-2008 growing season through IBYT-LRA-M trial, which received from International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). This cultivar was initially evaluated at Gachsaran Research Station and based on its higher grain yield (49% grain yield superiority compared to Izeh check cultivar) was selected. In the preliminary evaluation in 2008-09 growing season, Behdan had 64% and 34% higher grain yield compared to the check cultivars (Izeh and Mahoor), respectively. In the uniform regional preliminary yield trial in 2009-2010 growing season, Behdan had 13% higher grain yield compared to average grain yields of Mahoor and Izeh cultivars and in advanced yield trial in 2010-2011 growing season it had 3% and 7% higher grain yields compared to Mahoor and Khorram cultivars, respectively. Under farmer's conditions in Emamzadeh Jafar plain and Basht regions in 2014-2015 growing season, Behdan had 10% and 7% higher grain yields compared to Mahoor and Khorram cultivars, respectively. The protein content of Behdan barley cultivar was found to be 12.5%, indicating its good quality for feeding.