Exploring Associations Between Agronomic and Chemical Composition Traits for Barley Improvement

A selection strategy based on agronomic traits was assessed to improve chemical composition of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Two multi-environment datasets were investigated. They consisted of 190 doubled-haploid lines of the Leger/CI9831 cross and of 70 covered spike spring barley cultivars. Phenotypic correlations were assessed for four agronomic traits (test weight, seed weight, plant height and grain yield) and three chemical components [starch, acid detergent fibre (ADF), and total beta-glucans]. A selection method is proposed on the basis of principal components analyses using genotype x trait (GT) biplots. Heavier test weight (>67 g hL(-1)) was a better predictor than kernel weight for the selection for lower ADF (<55 g kg(-1)) which is a desirable quality trait in feed barley. The negative correlation measured between test weight and ADF in both datasets has never been reported before in barley. Two-row barley genotypes suitable for improving the quality of feed barley were identified using the GT Biplot method.