Evaluation of grain yield stability of irrigated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) promising lines in warm regions of Iran using GGE biplot analysis

The main purpose of this research was to identify barley promising lines with high grain yield and yield stability for warm region of Iran. In this experiment, 17 barley promising lines and two check cultivars were evaluated in five agricultural research stations; Ahvaz, Darab, Zabol, Gonbad and Moghan, Iran, in 2015-16 and 2016-17 cropping seasons, using randomized complete block design with three replications. Combined analysis of variance showed significant effect of year, year × location and year × location × genotype on grain yield. To identify genotypes with high grain yield and yield satbilty, Lin and Binchr('39')s superiority statistic and GGE biplot analysis method were employed. The lowest values of Lin and Binchr('39')s superiority statistic were for lines No. 2, 3 and 9. GGE biplot analysis revealed that the first and second principle components explained 40% and 24% of total variation, respectively. In this experiment, two mega- environments were identified. The first mega-environment included Ahavaz and Darab, and the second mega-environment included Zabol, Gonbad and Moghan. Considering grain yield and yield stability stability estimates, line NO. 2 has been identified with wide adpatation and released for warm regions (north and south) and line NO. 3 with specific adaptaion for the north warm region of Iran.