Studies on heritability and genetic advance for yield and yield attributing traits in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

In my study, a set of 20 genotypes of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were evaluated over two years from 2016-17 to 2017-18 to evaluate the genetic analysis of these genotypes for yield and its contributing characters over years and environments. These were evaluated in randomized complete block with 3 replications and two dates of sowing i.e. 3rd week of November (timely sown) and 1st week of January (very late sown). Significant variability was found in all the environments for all the traits. Traits viz., biological yield plant-1, yield plant-1, ear head length (cm), peduncle length, harvest index (%), ear weight and number of grains plant-1 was recorded high heritability coupled with high genetic advance in all the environments. High heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance were reported by days to 50% flowering, 100 grain weight (g) and plant height. The medium estimates of heritability with high genetic advance was recorded by number of tillers plant-1, number of effective tillers plant-1 and number of ears plant-1, number of spikelets ear-1, number of grains plant-1, ear weight, ear head length, peduncle length, harvest index and number of dead tillers plant-1. The medium estimate of heritability with moderate genetic advance was recorded by number of spikelets ear-1, number of grains ear-1, plant height and 100 grain weight. The high or moderate heritability is accompanied with high or moderate genetic advance that mean preponderance of additive gene action involved in the inheritance of concerned traits. Therefore, selection for grain yield plant-1 can be done through above traits will be beneficial.