Variety identification and genetic relationship of some South Tunisian barley accessions using agronomic parameters

A total of 20 accessions of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) from and regions of Tunisia were collected and evaluated ex situ at experimental fields (Medenine, South Tunisia). Morphological traits (at vegetative and reproductive stage) were applied to evaluate genetic diversity of these accessions. The study showed the existence of a highly significant phenotypical variability. At vegetative stage, the number of leaves per plant is the morphological descriptor which shows greatest variability within the accessions, it varies between 5.83 and 14.67. For the reproductive stage, the morphological characters which present the most important variability are the number of leaves (from 6.5 to 3 1), the production of straw (from 0.87 g to 6 g) and the leaf area (between 4.77 and 15.9 cm(2)). The analysis of the hierarchical trees shows the presence of great genetic diversity. However, although the agronomic parameters are important to study diversity and select genotypes with high potential, they are limited and the use of other markers must be used.