Correlations Between Kernel Plumpness, Lodging, and Other Agronomic Characteristics in Six‐Rowed Barley Crosses1

Phenotypic (rP) and genotypic (rG) correlation coefficients between pairs of several important agronomic characteristics, including kernel plumpness, test weight, lodging resistance, and grain yield, were calculated for 19 populations of seven six‐rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crosses. Parents used were wide‐kerneled ‘Larker’ and ‘X969‐3,’ medium‐kerneled ‘Dickson’ and ‘X1068.1,’ and thin‐kerneled ‘Fraeg’ and ‘J2458‐1.’ The latter two are short and comparatively stiff‐strawed. Of 72 significant rP values obtained, 48 values occurred among the six possible character pairs between the four traits listed above. All 48 represented agronomically desirable associations and were equally divided between generations of single and backcrosses. Thus, selection for any one of these desirable characters would be compatible with concurrent selection for the other three. The rG value equalled or exceeded the rP value for 59 of the 72 significant rP values, strengthening the genetic or breeding implications. The strongest association among six plant and grain characters was between kernel plumpness and test weight. There was a definite trend for taller plants to perform better agronomically.