Identification of high-yielding and stable genotypes of barley for salinity-affected regions in the moderate climate of Iran

Salinity stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses in the arid and semi-arid areas of the world. To identify superior genotypes of barley with high grain performance and stability under salinity stress conditions, 18 promising genotypes along with two local checks (Mehr cultivar and MBS-97-6 line) were investigated in three saline regions (Yazd, Isfahan, and Birjand) in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 cropping seasons. Based on the results of means comparison, genotypes G19, G17, G1 (Check 1), G20 (Check 2), G4 and G8 genotypes showed the highest grain yield compared to the other genotypes. The results of the GGE biplot analysis indicated that the first two principal components in total and in averaged data of two years, accounted for 49.29% and 21.6%, 60.42% and 25.8% of the total variation of grain yield, respectively. The vertex genotypes were identified as G1, G2, G10, G11, G17, G18, G19 and G20. Isfahan had representativeness ability and was identified as the ideal location for the selection of superior genotypes. On the basis of results, genotypes Rojo/3/LB.Iran/Una8271//Gloria”S”/Com”S”/4/Kavir (G4), Roho / Mazorka // Trompilo /3/ Lignee527/Nk1272 // Jlb70-63 (G20) and Manal / Alanda-01 // 1-BC-0152 /4/ Rojo /3/ LB.Iran / Una8271 // Gloria”S” / Com”S”(G8) were recognized as the closest genotypes to the ideal genotype. Genotypes G4 and G20 were recognized as the best genotypes for cultivation in Yazd and G8 was recognized as the best genotype for cultivation in Isfahan and Birjand.