Genetic evaluation and linkage studies among the economic traits of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under arid conditions

To recognise the foremost parameters accounting for variation, one hundred and twenty eight genotypes of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were studied using Single Linkage Cluster Analysis (SLCA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Nine characters were studied. The first four components, with eigen values P > 1, contributed 62.52% of the total variability among the genotypes. The first PC was more related to four characters (SL, S/S, G/S, G/P), whereas the second PC relates two characters (S/P, G/P). The third PC exhibited positive effects for five parameters (T/P, SL, S/P, S/S, G/ S) but the fourth PC was positive to three characters (FLA, G/S, 100 GW). The highest estimates of heritability were associated with G/P (0.977) and T/P (0.886). Values of genetic advance ranged between 66.66 for G/P and 0.367 for SL. Greater magnitude of broad sense heritability coupled with higher genetic advance in characters under provided the evidence that these plant characters were under the control of additive genetic effects, indicating that selection should lead to a fast genetic improvement of the material. Cluster with superior agronomic types identified may be exploited for genetic potential to transfer the desirable genes to improve yield potential of the barley crop.