Analysis and classification of salt tolerance in native barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) germplasm of Iran

To evaluate and analysis of salt-tolerance in barley (Hordeum vulgare) germplasm, 1000 barley accessions originated from Iran were evaluated in normal conditions (experimental field of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran) and saline conditions (Salinity Research Center, Yazd, Iran) in 2014-15 growing season. The genotypes were planted in an augmented design with three control cultivars; susceptible
(Line L-527), moderately-tolerant (Nosrat) and tolerant (Afzal), repeated after each 10 accessions. Agronomic, morphological and phenological characteristics were measured in accessions in both conditions. To classify and identify the salt tolerant accessions and related traits, component analysis and cluster analysis were performed. Results indicated that in addition to importance of grain yield under stress and normal conditions, phenological traits including days to flowering and days to maturity were significantly correlated with salinity tolerance in barley accessions. It can be concluded that, early maturing accessions had higher stress tolerance index and were more tolerant to salinity stress. Also results of this study indicated that two-rowed barley accessions had higher 100 grain weight, grain yield and salt stress tolerance index. In general results of this study indicated that accessions with early maturity and taller plant height in Iranian native barley germplasm are more likely to be adapted to salt stress.