Path Analysis of Genotype× Environment Interaction and Evaluation of Grain Yield Stability of Barley Promising Lines in Warm Zones

Evaluation of genotypes under multiple environments is the prerequisite for the development of stable and superior genotypes for sustainable barley production in different environmental conditions. In order to evaluate the yield stability and determine the portion of different morpho-phonologic traits in the interaction of genotype × environment in promising barley lines, 17 barley promising lines with three checks including Nimrooze/Sahra and Auxin cultivars and WB-94-3 line) were evaluated in two years (2017 – 2019) using RCBD with three replications in five stations of warm zone including Ahvaz, Darab, Zabol, Gonbad and Moghan. Stability analysis was performed using different nonparametric methods. The results of the nonparametric methods were integrated using selction index of ideal genotype (SIIG). The morpho-phonologic data were analyzed by path analysis model which is composed of a main effect and four multiplicative effects. The flowering time (X1), maturity time (X2), plant height (X3), and 1000-kernel weight (X4) were assumed to be sequential characters to justify grain yield productivity (Y) in barley. The results of analysis of variance of grain yield using parametric and non-parametric methods showed that the effect of genotype, environment and genotype × environment interaction was significant at the level of 1% probability. The results showed that based on the nonparametric methods (SIIG index), lines no. G10, G18, G19, G16 and G15 were stable lines and higher than average grain yield. The positive correlation of SIIG with genotypic components of flowering time (V1) and 1000-kernal weight (V4) indicated that the 1000-kernal weight and flowering time are the main contributor towards GE interaction for grain yield in warm zone barley.