The Use of Multivariate Factor Analysis in the Selection of Spring Barley for Adaptability to Various Environmental Conditions

Abstract

Multivariate analysis of variance of quantitative and morpho-biological traits of 155 samples of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) of different ecological and geographical origin made it possible to identify the most adaptively valuable traits, which include the germination rate under saline conditions, the total weight of 14-day-old seedlings, the number and length of seminal roots. Of the production traits, the number of grains per ear, grain weight per ear and protein content in combination with early maturity are significant. Statistical analysis of the data has shown that the studied variety samples according to the “number of grains per ear” and “grain weight per ear” traits demonstrate a consistently high positive correlation relationship, regardless of the years of study and their cultivation areas. In this regard, the “number of grains per ear” trait can be used as the main factor in increasing crop yields in adverse ecosystems of the Aral Sea region of Kazakhstan.