Variation and path coefficient analysis of important agronomic traits in two- and six-rowed recombinant inbred lines of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

The variation and relations of fifteen agronomic and morphologic traits (e.g., yield and its components, days to heading and test weight) were evaluated in 42 two-rowed and 57 six-rowed recombinant inbred lines of barley derived from Azumamugi × Kanto Nakate Gold cross. Significant differences were detected among lines for all traits studied. Kernel number/spike, awn length, kernel weight/spike, yield, harvest index and spike length had the highest coefficient of phenotypic variation (39.73%, 35.79%, 34.59%, 32.57%, 31.05% and 27.79%, respectively). Harvest index and biological yield explained more than 90% of total yield variation among two- and six-rowed lines. Discriminant analysis distinguished two- and six-rowed lines with spike length, awn length, kernel weight/spike, peduncle length and harvest index having the highest weight. Phenotypic and genotypic correlations showed a high positive relationship between yield and harvest index, biological yield, test weight, kernel weight/spike and kernel number/spike. Path analysis based on genotypic correlations for grain yield also showed the highest direct effect of kernel number/spike and indirect effect of kernel weight/spike via kernel number/spike.