Predicting yield reduction in improved barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties and landraces under salinity using selected tolerance traits

Field morpho-physiological characterization of barley is essential for selecting salt-tolerant genotypes and for predicting yield reduction. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive growing seasons (2012-13 and 2013-14) in Kairouan (semi arid, Central Tunisia) and in Medenine (arid, South-East Tunisia), where 4 widely grown varieties, 23 local landraces originated from saline and non-saline agro-ecosystems, and 13 genotypes from the Near East North Africa (NENA) region, were tested. In each location, saline groundwater and drinking water were used. Grain yield, plant ion content (Na+, K+ and Ca2+), flag leaf chlorophyll content index (CCI), relative water content (RWC), specific leaf area (LA) and plant earliness at heading (E60) were measured for each genotype. Grain yield reduction ratio (YRR) was calculated for all genotypes to estimate their tolerance to salinity.