Analysis of traits of two-row and six-row barley with emphasis on climatic conditions of origin

Barley has two types of two-row and six-row with different characteristics, therefore due to different climatic conditions and different uses of this crop, better identification of these characteristics will lead to proper use of them. In this research, 707 barley genotypes including 210 two-row and 497 six-row barleies were selected from the germplasm collection of the National Plant Gene Bank of Iran and were evaluated in the research field of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute in Karaj. The phenological, morphological and agronomic traits were recorded. According to the climatic characteristics of the origin of each genotype and the Gosan Xerotermic coefficient, genotypes were classified into four climatic groups. Results of one-way analysis of variance and mean comparison of evaluated traits indicated that, the two-row barley had a shorter vegetative period and reproductive growth, and had early maturity than the six rows. The average weight of 100 seeds in two-row barley genotypes was significantly higher than the six-row, which appears to be due to smaller seedlings of lateral florets in the six-row genotypes. The overall results showed that spike type in barley effects on morphological, agronomic and phonological traits of the crop and is related to climatic condition of origin, so, it seems that the type of spike like all other traits, has evolved to adapt to the climate of the plant's habitat.