Evaluation of Genotypes of Wild Barley (Hordeum spontaneum) Based on Drought Tolerance Indices

Hordeum spontaneum has been considered as the ancestor of cultivated barley (Hordeum spontaneum) and there is no biological crossing barrier between the two species. Genetic base of cultivated barley has been narrowed the modern plant breeding, causing trouble in confrontation to unfavorable environmental conditions. Hence, wild barley has become an important germplasm source for introducing new genes into cultivated barley. This research was performed in order to identify drought tolerant genotypes of Hordeum spontaneum. Genotypes were studied under stress and non-stress conditions in randomized complete block designs with three replications. STI, MP, GMP and HM were identified as the most favorable indices based on correlations with grain yield in stress and non-stress conditions. Investigation on 3D graphs using selected indices placed genotypes 02TN555, 02TN374, 02TN494 in group A (having higher yield in both stress and non-stress conditions) and genotype 02TN220 in group B (higher yield in non-stress condition and lower yield in the stress conditions). The remaining genotypes were located in group C (low yield in both conditions). All genotypes were grouped in three categories of tolerant, moderately susceptible using cluster analysis.