The effect of pedicel length on lateral kernel weight in two-six rowed near isogenic lines of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Summary Fifteen backcross derived, six-rowed isogenic barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) lines with the genotype vvii, nine in a six-rowed background, and six in a two-rowed background, were evaluated over 3 years for pedicel length and lateral and central kernel weight.Within the six-rowed and two-rowed backgrounds there were significant differences between isolines for all three characteristics studied. The lateral kernel weights of the six-rowed isolines were approximately half of their central kernel weights. Isolines with club heads had signicantly longer pedicels and significantly lower lateral and central kernel weight than lax headed types. A significant negative correlation was found between pedicel length and lateral kernel weight for the 15 isolines and within the six-rowed background, indicating that as pedicel length increases, lateral kernel weight tends to decrease.We recommend that breeders making selections of six-rowed segregates from two x six-rowed crosses should select against pedicellate (vvii) laterals.Cooperative investigations of the Mont. Agric. Exp. Stn. and ARS, USDA. Published with the approval of the Director of the Mont. Agric. Exp. Stn. as Journal Series No. 1463.