Evaluation of Genetic and Geographic Diversity of Wild Barley (Hordeum spontaneum L. (Ecotypes from Different Habitats in Iran

Knowledge about genetic diversity is an essential step towards conservation of genetic resources and developing further strategies for plant improvement. The objective of this research was to evaluate the agronomical and morphological traits and determine the level of variation within wild barley ecotypes especially for acclimation traits. In this study 188 ecotypes of wild barley (Hordeumspontaneum) were evaluated for qualitative and quantitative traits in a trial. Evaluated traits in this study included 24 agronomical, phenological, morphological and physiological traits which were measured in the field or laboratory. Different characters showed different levels of diversity based on descriptive statistics and Shannon diversity index. Flag leaf area, and flag leaf weight represented the highest diversity among quantitative traits based on coefficient of variation (CV) in qualitative traits, stem nod color and spike erectness were the most diverse traits. Cluster analysis based on morphological and agronomical traits and the origin of ecotypes were more in line with geographic data. Based on these traits, populations from cold climates were clearly distinguished from desert populations.