Genotype by Environment Interactions for Yield-Related Traits in Tunisian Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Accessions Under a Semiarid Climate
Genotype by environment interaction and stability analyses are among the most important evaluations conducted in plant breeding. In this study, we evaluated the yield-related traits of 32 Tunisian barley (<em>Hordeum vulgare </em>L.) accessions over three consecutive cropping seasons in a semi-arid environment. Phenotypic analysis identified heading date and spike length as the two major traits contributing most to the total phenotypic variation under a semiarid climate. Hierarchical clustering grouped the 32 accessions into four groups. Although the effect of the interaction between genotype and environment was important for yield (48%), it had comparatively little influence on heading date (9.9%) and plant height (8.14%). Stability analysis identified the djebali accession, with the smallest coefficient of variability, as a stable genotype across the three assessed environments. Overall, based on the higher yield and small coefficient of variance, we selected 11 promising genotypes. In addition, varieties developed by the Tunisian breeding program were found to show high mean yield, stability across all environments, and greater adaptability. Accessions with superior adaptation and stability will be introduced into the national breeding program for further evaluation and characterization.