Yield and Yield Components in Barley Genotypes (Hordeum vulgare L.) Genotypes under Rainfed Conditions

Abstract

Grain yield and yield components in barley are complexes depending on the environmental effects and agronomical practices under rainfed environment conditions. This research was carried out in the Trakia region in Edirne (Turkey) location during the 2017-2018 cycles. The experiment was set up with 25 genotypes in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Grain yields (GY), plant height (PH), peduncle length (PL), spike length (SL), number of kernel per spike (KNS), spike weight (SW), spike number per square meter (SNM) and flag leaf area (FLA) were investigated. The combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences among genotypes for all parameters (P<0.01) except spike length and spike number per square meter. Averaged the overall mean grain yield, genotypes G4 (8432 kg ha-1), and G21 (8119 kg ha-1) had the highest grain yield. Kernel number per spike varied from the lowest to 20.8 (G11) and the highest to 49.2 (G22) in genotypes. The longest peduncle (30.7 cm) was measured in G13. Genotypes G7 (8.46 cm) and G14 (8.23 cm) had the longest spike length. In the research significant (p<0.01) difference was observed in the flag leaf area in barley genotypes. Genotype G23 had the largest flag leaf area (12.67 cm2) and followed by G11 (12.10 cm2). Grain yield was positively correlated with peduncle length (r=0.554**) and spike number per square meter (r=0.442*). Spike weight and kernel number per spike were positively and significantly correlated (r=0.666**). Flag leaf area positively affected and increased spike weight (r=0.572**) and kernel number per spike. These results showed that peduncle length had a positive effect on grain yield. Flag leaf area had a significant positive effect on the spike weight of the genotypes. Low precipitation and high temperatures from shooting up to heading stages negatively affected grain yield and yield components.