GENETIC VARIABILITY, CORRELATION AND PATH ANALYSIS FOR YIELD AND ITS COMPONENT TRAITS IN BARLEY (Hordeum vulgare L.) UNDER SALT STRESS

Ten varieties of barley were evaluated under two different irrigations normal (W1) and salt (W2) water. The results showed significant differences among genotypes under both stresses except single spike weight in W2. All genotypes in W1 gave high values than W2 for all traits. The heaviest genotype for 1000-grain weight and spikes weight plant-1 has been recorded in Rafha local barley. PCV and GCV across water stress were relatively higher for single spike weight and spikes weight plant-1 in both conditions and moderate for other traits. High heritability was recorded in plant height, single spike weight, 1000-grain weight and spike weight plant-1 in both irrigations. The genetic advance was relatively higher for plant height and moderate for 1000-grain weight in W1 and W2. In most cases, genotypic correlations (gr) were higher than phenotypic (Pr) in both conditions. Phenotypic correlation coefficients were less in magnitudes than gr. Path coefficient analysis showed that 1000-grain weight, number of effective tillers plant-1, spike weight, number of spikes plant-1 and plant height showed more direct positive effects with spikes weight plant-1.