Donetskyy 14

Spring barley Donetskyy 14 is a medium-maturing variety of steppe ecotype with a vegetation period ranging from 73 to 86 days. Plants have an average height of 63 to 78 cm, erect growth habit, and medium-thick stems, providing resistance to lodging. Leaves are narrow, linear-lanceolate in shape, with a waxy coating, which contributes to adaptation to various climatic conditions. The variety is characterized by high ecological plasticity and tolerance to soil and air drought, making it a reliable choice for cultivation in steppe regions. Donetskyy 14 exhibits high resistance to diseases, including powdery mildew, helminthosporiosis, root rots, and is weakly susceptible to attack by loose and hard heads when artificially inoculated. These traits contribute to plant health maintenance and stable yields. The variety is characterized by high grain uniformity — up to 97% — which is important for high-quality grain suitable for both food and fodder purposes. Crude protein content in the grain varies from 13.0% to 15.5%, ensuring good quality forage material. The yield potential of this variety reaches 6.6 t/ha, and in dry years, when grown without fertilization, it can maintain grain yields of 31–42 c/ha. The 1000-grain weight is 47–51 g. The variety also exhibits high resistance to shattering and lodging, further enhancing its agronomic value. Donetskyy 14 has been included in Ukraine’s plant variety registry since 2000 and is widely used for grain and fodder production.