GENETIC VARIABILITY FOR YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS IN BARLEY (HORDEUM VULGARE L.)
Y. KUMAR, R.A.S. LAMBA, S.R. VERMA1 AND RAM NIWAS2
CCS Haryana Agricultural University,
Regional Research Station, Bawal (Haryana), India
1Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS HAU, Hisar
2Computer Centre (COBS), CCS HAU, Hisar
Email: yogenderkgulia@gmail.com
SUMMARY
A total of 21 barley genotypes comprised of two and six row type were grown in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications during rabi 2012-13 at CCS HAU, Regional Research Station, Bawal (Rewari). The objectives of the investigation were to study genetic variability, correlation and path analysis for 10 characters viz., plant height (cm), ear length (cm), number of tillers per meter row, number of grains per spike, days to heading, days to maturity, 1000-grain weight (g), biological yield (kg/plot), harvest index (%) and grain yield (kg/plot). Significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the characters studied. The characters namely, number of grains per spike, number of tillers per meter row, ear length and harvest index showed high range, PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were highest in number of grains per spike followed by number of tillers per meter row. Estimates of heritability ranged from 54 per cent for biological yield to 98 per cent for number of grains per spike, while grain yield showed 57 per cent heritability. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for number of grains per spike, number of tillers per meter row, ear length, harvest index and 1000-grain weight indicating the importance of these traits in selection and crop improvement. The genotypic correlation estimates showed significant positive association of grain yield with harvest index, 1000-grain weight, days for heading and days to maturity. Harvest index and biological yield exhibited the highest positive and significant direct effect on grain yield. Hence, these traits could be considered as suitable selection criteria for the development of high yielding barley varieties.
Key words: Genetic variability, correlation coefficient, path analysis, yield components, barley