Study of Stability Parameters on Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Elite Genotypes in Cold Climate of Iran

Study of genotype by environment interaction (GEI) has assumed great importance in genotype testing programs due to yield performance of a genotype is a result of interaction between genotype and environment. GEI occurs when the performance of the genotypes is not consistent from one environment to another. Therefor, 17 barley genotypes with three check cultivars (WA 2196-68/NY6005-18,F1//Scotia l, Bereke-54 and Makouee) were growen in seven cold regions (Hamedan, Miandoaab, Karaj, Arak, Urmia, JolgeRokh and Mashhad) during two years (2008-2009) and two cold regions (Tabriz and Ardabil) during one year (2009). These trials were conducted as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Simple analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences among genotypes. Moreover combined analysis of variances differences among genotypes revealed that the GEI were significant at the 1% probability level. For determining of yield stability, different stability parameters were used. Considering seed mean yield, G9 and G17 genotypes had a minimum environmental variance and environmental coefficient of variation while genotypes G9 and G11 had a minimum of Wricke’s ecovalence, stability variance, Plaistad’s interaction variation and Plaisted and Peterson’s average interaction variance. Based on Hernandez’s Desirable index, genotypes G9 and G19 with maximum amount of this index were identified as a more stable genotypes. The results of most of stability methods introduce genotype G9 as the most stable genotypes and G14 for the propitious rich areas.