Assessment of growth and yield traits under irrigated and rainfed environments for genotypes selection in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

Barley is increasingly valued as a climate-resilient cereal crop, especially in regions like Pakistan where wheat production cannot meet rising food demands. Despite its potential, barley cultivation in the country has declined due to limited research and investment in high-yielding, stress-tolerant varieties. This study aimed to evaluate the growth and yield performance of different barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes under rainfed and irrigated conditions to identify promising lines for cultivation in variable environments. In this study, twelve barley genotypes were evaluated across two consecutive cropping seasons (2019–20 and 2020–21) under rainfed and irrigated conditions. The experiment followed a split-plot design arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Irrigation regimes were assigned to main plots and applied at critical growth stages under irrigated conditions, while subplots represented different treatments, including rainfed plots that relied solely on natural rainfall. The findings of this study indicate that germination remained high across both environments. Under irrigated conditions, the average germination percentage was 95.9%, while under rainfed conditions, it slightly increased to 96.4%. Genotypes such as Sultan-17 (97% under both conditions), Rakhshan-10 (97% irrigated, 98 % rainfed), and JAU-21 (97% under both conditions) consistently exhibited strong germination and early vigor across both environments. Days to heading (101 days) were earlier under rainfed conditions, indicating drought-induced earliness, with Bajwar-2000 and MPT-V2 emerging as early heading genotypes. Maturity duration (149 days) remained stable across both environments. Drought stress led to reductions in plant height, spike length, biomass, and grain yield. However, certain genotypes, especially Rakhshan-10, Sultan-17, and Bajwar-2000, maintained superior performance under both moisture regimes. JAU-21 recorded the highest grain yield (5680 kg ha^-1) under normal irrigation, while Bajwar-2000 showed the highest yield (4932 kg ha^-1) under rainfed conditions. These findings highlight genotypic variation in drought tolerance and suggest the potential of specific lines for cultivation in water-limited environments. © 2025 The Author(s)