Correlation between yield capacity and 1000-grain weight in spring barley varieties

Abstract

The aim and tasks of the study.The study objective was to determine the weather influence on yield parameters of barley varieties and to evaluate correlation between the yield capacity and 1000-grain weight.

Materials and methods.The study was conducted in variety trial nurseries of the Plant Production Institute nd. A VYa Yuryev of NAAS in 2006–2016. The starting material was 16 spring barley varieties of different origin: from Ukraine, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany. Data were statistically processed by ANOVA using the STATISTICA 10 program; post hoc comparison was conducted according to Homogenous Groups (Fisher LSD). The linear relationship strength was determined by correlation analysis and the degree of influence of one parameter on another – by regression analysis.

Results and discussion.The study found that 2008 was the most favorable year for barley, as the average yield across varieties was 6.75 t/ha and 1000-grain weight was48.8 g. These are the highest yield parameters over the 11-year period of research. 2014, 2006 and 2011 were also favorable. 2012, 2009 and 2013 were arid years, and 2013, with the lowest yield of 2.66 t/ha, was the most unfavorable for barley.

Variance analysis showed no significant differences in the average yield between varieties, but post hoc comparison revealed such differences. Pairwise comparison of yields demonstrated that the yield capacity of varieties Kangoo (3.77 t/ha) and Vakula (3.79 t/ha) was considerably lower than that of Alegro (4.89 t/ha) and Parnas (4.90 t/ha).

There were significant differences in 1000-grain weight both between varieties and between years. We identified varieties with the largest grains (Alegro [49.7 g], Etyket [49.8 g]) and with the smallest ones (Sebastian, Pasadena). In 2014, all the varieties had significantly higher 1000-grain weights than in other years, and in 2010 – significantly lower.

There was a weak significant positive correlation (r = 0.273) between the yield capacity and 1000-grain weight. A moderate linear relationship is only specific for Alegro (r = 0.773) and Modern (r = 0.662). This is attributed to the fact that Alegro has very large grain, which could not but affect the yield level, and Modern is characterized by low productive tilling capacity, therefore, the yield is formed to a large extent due to 1000-grain weight.

Conclusions.Thus, it was established that the yield capacity and 1000-grain weight largely depended on cultivation conditions. At the same time, there is a weak correlation between the studied parameters, and it depends on varietal features. Most varieties do not have significant correlations, indicating that generally 1000-grain weight is not a determinant of yield for a given barley cultivation zone. This is confirmed by a weak positive regression between the studied parameters (b = 0.273, p = 0.0002 with significance level p <0.05).