Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Professor, Department of Plant Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Iran
2
Associate Professor, Department of Plant Production and Genetics , Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Moghan, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Azdabil, Iran
3
Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
10.22108/tbj.2026.148026.1330
Abstract
Current research investigated twenty barley genotypes under rainfed conditions to examine variability in yield, its components, and morphological traits, while identifying key selection criteria. Biomass-related traits, such as biological yield and straw weight, displayed high variability, whereas thousand-seed weight showed minimal variation. Traits such as seed yield per plant, seed number per plant, and tiller number per plant exhibited moderate variability, highlighting their potential contribution to yield differences. Phenotypic correlation analysis revealed that yield was strongly linked to biomass yield and thousand-seed weight, suggesting that both source and sink components play essential roles in yield formation. Genotypic correlations were generally weaker than phenotypic correlations, reflecting the influence of environmental factors. However, thousand-seed weight, seed number per plant, and fertile tiller number consistently showed positive associations with yield, indicating their genetic stability and value for indirect selection. Factor analysis identified five independent factors. The first factor included biomass yield, straw weight, and seed yield, whereas the second factor represented seed yield per plant and seed number per plant. The third factor identified low-tillering genotypes, while the fourth factor reflected smaller seed size. Finally, the fifth factor captured variation in plant height. These factors emphasize the multifaceted nature of yield determination, with distinct separations between vegetative growth, reproductive efficiency, and plant size. Based on these findings, genetic improvement for seed yield under rainfed conditions should prioritize thousand-seed weight, seed number per plant, and fertile tiller number, while optimizing plant height.
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