Abstract
This study was carried out in Kalar technical institute, Sulaimani Polytechnic University in Garmian region, Iraq during 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. Five hybrid genotypes of barley were tested under drought and irrigated conditions to detect the flag-leaf specific weight, chlorophyll content index (SPAD; The Soil Plant Analysis Development chlorophyll meter) and the period from anthesis to physiological maturity. Across both years 2016-17 and 2017-18, there was no effect of drought on flag-leaf specific weight, however, SPAD was reduced by 4.77 and the period between anthesis and maturity was shortened by almost two days. Genotype 3//14 scored the highest values of flag-leaf specific weight (7.765 mg cm-2)and SPAD (25.56), and stayed green for the longest period (28.69 days) (P=0.05), showing its ability to be more tolerant to moisture reductionas compared to the other tested genotypes. In order to explain the physiological mechanisms among the assessed traits under both irrigated and drought conditions, linear regression analysis was applied for both seasons and averaged over seasons. A positive linear relationship was shownbetween flag-leaf specific weight and SPAD under both irrigated (R2=0.83; P=0.03) and drought (R2=0.76; P=0.05) conditions, explaining the high flag-leaf chlorophyll content resulting from high specific weight of leaves. The high flag-leaf specific weight was also associated with longer periods for leaves to stay-green after anthesis, under both irrigated (R2=0.91; P=0.01) and drought (R2=0.79; P=0.04) conditions, which provides a great chance to accumulate more resources of carbohydrates and protein in the grain and, consequently,a higher throughput of yield.
Highlights
Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the important cereals in many dry areas of the world and it is necessary for the livelihoods of many farmers [1]
There was no significant effect of drought on flag-leaf specific weight in both seasons 2016-17 and 2017-18 (P=0.55 and P=0.36, respectively; Table-1)
In 2017, Flag-leaf specific weight (FLSW) values for the genotypes under irrigated conditions ranged from 5.803 mg cm-2 for 3//5 to 8.279 mg cm-2 for 3//14, while under unirrigated conditions they ranged from 6.119mg cm-2for 3//18 to 8.182 mg cm-2 for 3//14, with the differences being significant (P=0.05)
Summary
Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the important cereals in many dry areas of the world and it is necessary for the livelihoods of many farmers [1]. It is one of the major cereal crops that is primarily grown for its grain and used for animal feed [2]. Flag leaf is a primary source of carbohydrate production for grain filling and yield due to its short distance to the spike and the fact that it stays green for longer times than the rest of the leaves [7]. Understanding the role of physiological and morphological traits of flag leaf on yield will provide a new insight in crop growth and development [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
