Genotypic variation in morphological traits of barley as affected by nitrogen supply

Abstract

Genotypic variation is useful to breeders when selecting genotypes to improve particular traits. The objective of this study was to assess the genotypic variation in some morphological traits of spring barley. Eight two-rowed spring barley cultivars were evaluated in a glasshouse in Braunschweig, Germany, in 1996 and 1997 in bottom-free plastic containers at two nitrogen (N) levels, 0 and 200 mg N kg⁻¹ soil. Significant genotypic variation noted for length and width of flag leaf, plant height and kernels plant⁻¹ indicated possibility of selection response in these traits in spring barley. Lack of genotypic variability in total dry weight, made up of grain and straw yield, pointed out that these traits couldn’t be used to indirectly improve grain yield. N supply showed rarely a significant effect, suggesting that varying N is not so important and that one N level would suffice to determine the performance of these genotypes.