Recently, drought stress became more frequent and this presents a serious challenge for plant breeders to create tolerant barley genotypes with good stability under water deficit conditions. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of water deficit stress with 20% of maximum soil water capacity at heading stage on the physiological traits of some barley genotypes and to set recommendations on their possible use in drought tolerance breeding programs. The results revealed significant differences between genotypes in all tested traits. In this regard, Rahma and Tissa maintained a high relative water content and cell membrane stability under water deficit stress, respectively. These characteristics present effective mechanisms to face drought stress in semi-arid regions. Jaidor was the most stay-green genotype characterized by maintaining a high level of chlorophyll content after water deficit stress treatment. Moreover, Acsad176 accumulated high soluble sugars content as a response to water deficit stress. These genotypes could be considered as potential sources of genes for selection of drought tolerant barley varieties.

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