Exploring Phenotypic Diversity and Yield Attributes in Six-Row Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Genotypes

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore phenotypic diversity and yield-related traits in ten six-row barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes (G1–G10) under normal field conditions. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, and data were recorded on seven key agronomic traits: plant height (PH), flag leaf area (FLA), spikelets per spike (SPS), spike length (SL), number of grains per spike (NGS), 100-grain weight (HGW), and grain yield per plant (GYP). ANOVA revealed highly significant (p < 0.01) differences among genotypes for PH (MS = 16.62), FLA (MS = 5.84), SPS (MS = 3.41), SL (MS = 1.57), NGS (MS = 30.76), and GYP (MS = 13.45), indicating considerable genetic variation. Descriptive statistics showed PH ranged from 88.9 to 96.0 cm, FLA from 24.5 to 29.4 cm², SPS from 18.8 to 22.1, and GYP from 30.6 to 36.3 g. Genotype G8 consistently outperformed others across traits, followed by G5 and G3. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between GYP and NGS (r = 0.94**), SPS (r = 0.91**), PH (r = 0.89**), and FLA (r = 0.88**), highlighting their relevance in indirect selection. HGW and SL showed weak or non-significant correlations with GYP. The study concludes that traits such as NGS, SPS, FLA, and PH are reliable yield indicators and should be prioritized in breeding programs targeting high-performing barley cultivars.