Evaluation of yield and salinity tolerance indices in productive barley lines under saline condition

Recently barley cultivated area has been increased in Iran due to its adaptation to drought and salinity. To investigate some barley promising lines under saline conditions and introducing the superior lines, a field experiment was carried out in Zarrindasht region, Darab, Iran, during two consecutive years (2010-2011 and 2011-2012(. In this experiment, Nimrooz as the control variety along with 13 promising barley lines were compared in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The average soil and water salinity of the experimental site were about 6 and 9 dS.m-1, respectively. The results showed that the highest grain yield belonged to EBYT-79-10 line in both years (with two years mean of 5095 kg.ha-1) which was 21.3% more than the control variety Nimrooz (with average grain yield of 4173 kg ha-1). Also, L.527/Chn-01…, MBD-85-8, Karoon/Kavir//…, On-Farm No. 4 (Yazd), MBD-85-6,¡ Rihanee"s"//… and Productive/Rojo with grain yield of 4740, 4705, 4575, 4470, 4390, 4275 and 4205 kg.ha-1, respectively, were superior than control and the other lines produced lower yield than control. Grain yield of the studied lines and showed a significant negative correlation with sodium concentration of plant leaf and a significant positive correlation with potassium concentration and potassium to sodium ratio. In the present study, EBYT-79-10 with highest grain yield, proper early maturity, less water consumption and suitable salinity tolerance was identified as the best line for cultivating under saline conditions of Zarindasht regions, Darab, Iran.