Abstract:
A total of sixteen barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes were evaluated for genetic variability and
character associations at two different environments. The genotypes were grown in a simple lattice
design. Data were collected on 16 morpho-agronomic characters. The analysis of variance at each
location showed significant (P< 0.05) difference for all of the characters, except spikelets per spike
gonder This indicated the existence of variability and hence the potential for selection and
improvement within characters. The mean performance of the genotypes indicated that local cross
Balami which is dominant farmers’ variety at Chencha and genotype Ardu-12-60B
at Areka gave high grain yield than the other genotypes. Thousand-kernel weight, tillers per plant,
grain protein yield, grain yield, harvest index, spike length and kernels per spike at both locations
were found to have high coefficient of variability, intermediate to high heritability and genetic
advance as percent of the mean. This means that effective and satisfactory selection for practical
improvement of these important traits is possible. Character associations were determined by
simple correlation and path coefficient analysis. Grain yield showed positive and significant
correlations with thousand-kernel weight, hectoliter weight, biological yield, harvest index and
grain protein yield at both locations. Positive associations of grain yield with the principal yield
components give an opportunity to simultaneously improve yield and yield contributing characters.
Days to heading and maturity exhibited negative correlations with grain yield, indicating that
selection for early maturing genotypes will improve grain yield for semiarid environment.
Phenotypically, biological yield and harvest index, and genotypically, days to maturity, biological
yield, harvest index and spikes per plant exerted favorable direct effect on grain yield at both
locations. Selection for biological yield and harvest index would, therefore, be very useful for grain
yield improvement. Hence, for future crossing work it could be useful to select individual genotypes
from these by considering the special advantages of each cluster and the objectives of the crossing
program.
