The performance of some barley genotypes was evaluated under rain-fed
conditions in Dara'a (Izra'a) during two successive growing seasons (2009-2010/
2010-2011) in order to determine the most relevant physiological traits, which
are genetically as
sociated with drought tolerance and grain yield. The trial was
laid out according to the factorial complete randomized block design, with
three replicates. The leaf area index (LAI) was significantly lower in the wild
relatives compared with the varieties and land races. Relative water content
was significantly higher during the second growing season (87.19%) compared
with the first one (71.57%). Solute leakage was significantly lower during the
second growing season (69.50%) compared with the first growing season
(76.49%). It was noticed that the genotypes which have achieved significantly
higher grain yields, could also maintain significantly higher relative water
content in the leaves, (Acsad176, Acsad1182 and Acsad60), and were superior in
maintaining membrane integrity, and leaf area index, indicating the
importance of such traits in improving drought tolerance and maintaining
production capacity.
