Authors : A. Benmahammed , M. Kribaa , H. Bouzerzour and A. Djekoun
Abstract: F2, F3 and F4-derived lines from 3 barley cross populations were used to investigate whether grain yield could be improved by selecting for above ground biomass and harvest index under semi-arid Mediterranean-type environment. Results indicated, in F2 and in F3, significant and positive correlation between grain yield and plant biomass as well as between grain yield and harvest index. The efficiency of indirect selection in F2 and F3, based on above ground biomass and on harvest index varied among crosses. Indirect selection was not more efficient no more consistent than direct selection for grain yield because of low similarity between early generations and low heritability of the selection criterion. Index selection including grain yield, above ground biomass and harvest index gave encouraging results which need to be confirmed.
A. Benmahammed , M. Kribaa , H. Bouzerzour and A. Djekoun , 2008. Relationships Between F2, F3 and F4-Derived Lines for above Ground Biomass And Harvest Index of Three Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Crosses in a Mediterranean-Type Environment. Agricultural Journal, 3: 313-318.