Identification of Irrigated Barley Genotypes with High and Stable Grain Yield in Warm Regions of Iran

Due to abundance of non-living and living stresses in warm region, identification of barley genotypes with high and stable yield is one of the main goals of barley breeding programs in this region.

17 barley promising genotypes along with two check varieties were evaluated in five the Agricultural Research Stations including Ahvaz, Darab, Zabol, Gonbad, and Moghan during two consecutive cropping seasons (2018-2020). GGE biplot analysis was used for identifying the high yielding and stable genotypes across test environments.

Combined analysis of variance for grain yield data indicated a significant effect for locations, genotypes and year × location. Genotype × location and year × location × genotype. Mean comparison showed that G1, G2, G4, G5, G10, G12, G16 and G19 had high yield than other genotypes and can be considered. Grain yield stability of these genotypes were investigated for identifying of high yielding and stable genotypes across test environments. GGE Biplot analysis revealed that the first two components  accounted for 36.76% and 16.68% of the total gain yield variation, respectively. Thus these  two components can be used for explanation of grain yield of genotypes. In this study, two mega-environments were identified in warm regions of Iran. Accordingly, the first mega-environment included of the first and second year of Ahvaz and Zabol. G19 with 5114 kg/h was identified as superior genotype of this environment. The second mega-environment comprised of the the first and second year of Darab and Gonbad. G5 with 5155kg/h was identified as superior genotype of this environment. The first and second year of Moghan was located on the border between two mega environments. G3, G6, G8, G9, G14, G17 and G18 were not placed in none of the mega environments and were not suitable for cultivation in investigated environments. The vector view of ideal genotypes revealed that G4 and G5 are placed close to the ideal genotype, are most desirable than the other genotypes. The vector view of GGE biplot indicated discriminating and representative environments (first and second year of moghan) are good environments for selecting generally adapted genotypes.

In general, results indicated that genotypes G5 and G19 were identified as ideal barley genotypes for warm regions in north and south parts of Iran, respectively.