Phenotypic characterization of two-row barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ssp. vulgare) germplasm conserved in Osman Tosun Genebank of Türkiye by multivariate analysis model

Abstract

Barley is a crucial cereal crop with a diverse genetic heritage that includes landraces-traditionally cultivated variants that have adapted to varying agro-climatic conditions over centuries. Preserving barley landraces in genebanks is of utmost importance for safeguarding genetic diversity and aiding future breeding endeavors.This study aims an agro-morphological characterization of a selected collection of two row barley landraces conserved in the Osman Tosun Genebank. A total of 262 barley accessions were assessed in controlled field conditions to analyze various agro-morphological traits. The study unveiled notable disparities in the morphological traits of the genotypes, specifically in flag leaf anthocyanin, flag leaf sheath wax, spike shape, spike density, lemma color, grain color, lodging tendency, days to 50% flowering, plant height, spike length, spikelet quantity, and thousand grain weight, among other critical agronomical characteristics. To scrutinize the morphological disparities, the research utilized principal component analysis and ascertained that nearly 77.22% of the overall variance was accounted for by the first two principal components. The first four principal components accounted for 90.96% of the total variation, thus indicating significant genetic diversity among genotypes. The results of the cluster analysis revealed the presence of diverse genetic resources within the collection, with distinct groups of genotypes exhibiting similar traits being identified. The results of the agro-morphological characterization are a valuable resource for researchers and breeders, aiding them in making informed decisions regarding the management and application of barley landraces in breeding programs.