Multivariate analysis of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) germplasm under temperate agro-climatic niches

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a resilient cereal crop with significant global importance, particularly in temperate regions, where it thrives under a range of climatic stresses. This study assessed genetic variability, trait associations and population structure among 51 barley genotypes under temperate conditions using an augmented block design during the rabi season 2021–2022 at Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops (MRCFC), Khudwani- Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) of Kashmir. Eight agronomically important traits namely, days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, tiller number per metre, spike length, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plot, were evaluated using standard biometric and multivariate analytical approaches. Significant genetic diversity was observed, with high heritability and substantial genetic advance recorded for tiller number per meter and yield, indicating predominant additive gene action. Yield showed strong positive correlations with tiller number and grains per spike, highlighting their significance for selection. Path analysis confirmed the association pattern. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified 2 major components explaining almost 60 % of total variation, with plant height, tiller number per meter, grains per spike and yield being the dominant contributors. Clustering grouped genotypes into 5 clusters, with cluster V yielding highest. Large inter-cluster distances signified broad genetic divergence. Based on a combined selection index integrating PCA scores and yield performance, 6 superior barley genotypes were identified, among which IBYT-HI-2021-14, IBYT-HI-2021-12 and HUB113 exhibited the most consistent and outstanding agronomic performance under temperate conditions.