Assessment of genetic variability, expected genetic advance, correlation and path analysis in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the genotypes of barley to assess the magnitude of genetic variability and to understand the heritable component of variation for seed yield and its component traits. Estimation of genetic parameters would be useful in developing appropriate breeding and selection strategies. A field trial was laid under a Randomized Block Design(RBD) with three replications; observations was recorded on ten quantitative characters viz. days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of tillers per plant, ear length, number of seed per spike, 100 seed weight, biological yield, seed yield and harvest index. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was greater than that of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for most of the character studied thereby, indicating the influence environmental effect on the character. The higher genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations were recorded for seed yield per plant biological yield, number of tillers per plant, harvest index, number of seeds per spike, 100-seed weight, ear length and plant height. Heritability is a measure of possible genetic advancement under selection. Higher estimates of heritability was observed for all the characters under study High heritability along with high genetic advance was recorded for all the characters studied. Biological yield per plant, harvest index, number of tillers per plant, number of grains per spike, 100-seed weight are the most important yield contributing characters as they recorded higher positive direct and indirect effects along with positive significant correlation toward seed yield per plant. Therefore, selection of genotype based on these traits could bring about desired improvement in yield of barley.