Genetic variation of forage yield and yield components in selected genotypes of desert wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum Fisch. ex Link)

This study was aimed to assess genetic variation and characterize 50 selected genotypes of Agropyron desertorum Fisch. ex Link. using agro-morphological traits and forage yield. Each genotype was clonally propagated into four clones and they were space planted in a randomized complete block design with four replications on the research farm of the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of the Northwest and West regions, Tabriz, Iran. Data collected from March 2017 for two years. The results of the variance analysis showed significant differences among the genotypes for most of the traits (P<0.01), which indicated high variation among the studied genotypes for all the traits. Based on the mean comparison of annual forage dry matter yield over two years, the 14 genotypes with higher annual forage production (more than 350 g/plant equal to 9.8 t.h-1) and also higher seed yield (more than 40 g/plant equal to 1.12 t.h-1) were selected as the superior genotypes. Based on the cluster analysis, the 50 genotypes were divided into four clusters. The results indicated that there were significant variation and considerable distance for forage, seed yield and other traits among the studied genotypes. Thus, these genotypes could be suitable genetic sources for selecting superior parental genotypes to improve breeding composite varieties.