Identification of Effective Traits on Barley Lines Grain Yield via Path Analysis

In order to evaluate morphological and agronomic traits in 40 barley lines, an experiment was conducted using completely randomized block design with three replications. Significant differences were observed among lines with respect to all the traits except harvest index and number of infertile tiller indicating high genetic diversity in the studied materials. Lines number 10, 13, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27 and 31 were superior considering grain yield and most of the measured traits. Significant and positive correlations were found between grain yield and biomass, number of fertile and infertile tiller, harvest index, plant height and spike length. In multiple regression analysis, spike length, awn length, 1000 grain weight, biomass and fertile tillers were entered in the final model. In the path analysis based on multiple regression analysis, grain yield was considered as dependent variable and number of fertile tiller, biomass, 100 grains weight, spike length and own length as independent variable. The highest direct and positive effect on grain yield was attributed by biomass and maximum indirect effect was observed for number of fertile litter via biomass.