Abstract. The article presents research data conducted in the conditions of the Southern Aral Sea region. In conditions of extreme climate, characterized by sharp continentality, the germination of seeds, plant growth in height, photosynthetic activity of crops and the yield of the studied varieties at different levels of mineral nutrition were determined. It is noted that the assimilation surface of the two-row Unumli arpa variety and the K-713 variety reaches high values in some years: 43.1-45.8 thousand m2/ha. The maximum yield was obtained from the K-7123 variety at a mineral fertilizer application rate of N150P100K100, and from the K-713 variety (46.7 c/ha). Varieties of multi-row barley form a grain with a weight of 1000 grains of 43.4 grams, varieties of two-row barley Unumli arpa 39.5 grams.