Effect of Erect Leaf Angle on Grain Yield in Barley1

Abstract

Breeding for erect leaf angle has been suggested as a method for increasing grain yield in cereal crops. This study was designed to investigate the effect of erect leaf angle on grain yield in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Five cycles of crossing and selection were used to incorporate the erect leaf of C16146 into adapted Minnesota barleys. Subsequently, erect leaf lines from five populations were evaluated in yield trials. In addition, the yield response of erect leaf lines was compared to check cultivars at planting rates of 56, 94, and 132 kg ha−1. No significant difference was found for grain yield between erect leaf lines and check cultivars in three populations. Comparisons of erect and horizontal leaf progeny in two other populations showed no difference in one population; however, the horizontal leaf group was higher yielding in the second. The yield responses of erect and horizontal leaf‐types to the three planting rates were similar, although significant interaction was observed for kernel number and weight, suggesting that canopy type may influence these components. Erect leaf lines had less culm flex, more erect spikes, lower head number, later maturity, and greater lodging resistance than horizontal leaf lines. These associations with the erect leaf trait, which likely resulted from pleiotropy, were confounded with the effect of erect leaves and likely reduced the chances of finding a positive grain yield response. Although the potential of increased lodging resistance and the leaf‐type density interaction for kernel number and weight offer some encouragement for continuing research, results from our study provide little or no evidence that erect leaf angle enhances grain yield in barley.