Stalker

The spring barley variety Stalker was developed within a breeding program aimed at enhancing adaptability to drought-prone steppe zones. It is distinguished by high drought resistance, rated at 9 points, making it one of the best varieties for cultivation under adverse climatic conditions in Ukraine. The variety is early-maturing, with a vegetation period of 74-81 days, enabling rapid harvest. The spike is two-rowed, medium-length (7-9 cm), cylindrical, straw-yellow in color, with high grain density (11-12 nodes per 4 cm spike stem). The awn is long, thin, elastic, and serrated, which contributes to resistance against damage.

The yield of the Stalker variety under field conditions reaches 55-80 c/ha, equivalent to 7.0-8.0 t/ha. The grain is large, weighing 50-55 g per 1000 seeds, yellow in color, and elongated-oval in shape. The number of seeds per spike varies from 16 to 26, indicating good grain filling. The plant has a semi-erect bush, 75-100 cm tall, with narrow dark green leaves without pubescence.

The variety exhibits resistance to common leaf and stem diseases at a level of 5-6 points, as well as to powdery and sooty mildew — 6-8 points. The glume is thin and narrow, without awns, with a gradual transition from the lemma to the palea. The grain awn is long-haired. All these characteristics make barley Stalker a reliable and productive choice for cultivation in steppe and drought-prone regions, ensuring stable and high yields with minimal disease risk.