Analysis of association among different morphological traits in fodder barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a drought tolerant crop. Farmers use its first cut for fodder purpose during the scarcity period in semi-arid tracts and then the crop is left for grain purpose. Keeping this in view, first cut of twentytwo dual purpose barley varieties were evaluated for different morphological traits related to fodder. Dry matter yield was significantly correlated with green fodder yield (P< 0.01) and also with number of leaves/plant (P< 0.05). Further, leaf breadth was significantly (P< 0.05) correlated with culm thickness. Leaf-stem ratio, a parameter of fodder quality, was negatively correlated (P< 0.05) with internode length. Interestingly, green fodder yield and culm thickness were negatively correlated (P< 0.05) with tiller number. Plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf-stem ratio, leaf length and leaf breadth had moderate positive direct effects while tiller number/m row length and culm thickness had high negative direct effects on green fodder yield. Only green fodder yield had high direct effect on dry matter yield. Hence selection for plants with thick stems, broad leaves, more number of leaves/plant and shorter internodes may enhance green fodder yield and dry matter yield along with forage quality.