Dissecting Genetic Parameters and Environmental Responses of Yield and Quality Traits in Barley

The influence of genotype × environment interactions on yield and quality traits in barley complicates the identification of reliable selection criteria in breeding programs. In this study, genetic parameters associated with yield and quality traits were determined in twelve barley genotypes evaluated across two growing seasons (2013-2014 and 2014-2015) at two locations, namely Adıyaman and Diyarbakır. The two-location approach enabled reliable estimation of genetic variability and trait associations under contrasting environmental conditions. Analysis of variance revealed significant effects of genotype and environment, as well as pronounced genotype × environment interactions, demonstrating differential genotype responses to environmental variability. β-glucan content, number of grains per spike, and grain weight per spike were found to be relatively independent of environmental effects, as evidenced by their high heritability and genetic advance values, indicating their suitability for effective selection in early breeding generations. Strong positive correlations between grain yield and both number of grains per spike and thousand grain weight identified the primary components contributing to yield formation. The combined evaluation of heritability, genetic advance, and correlation analyses enabled the identification of traits with high selection efficiency under variable environmental conditions. Overall, the results demonstrate the genetic basis of yield and quality traits in barley and confirm the feasibility of simultaneous improvement of these traits through targeted selection strategies in barley breeding programs.