Rozita Mazloumi Oskouiee - Agricultural Biotechnology Institute of Iran-Northwest and North Branch, Tabriz, Iran
Sona Savari, - Agricultural Biotechnology Institute of Iran-Northwest and North Branch, Tabriz, Iran
Solmaz Khosravi, - Agricultural Biotechnology Institute of Iran-Northwest and North Branch, Tabriz, Iran
Mohammad Amin Hejazi - Agricultural Biotechnology Institute of Iran-Northwest and North Branch, Tabriz, Iran

Morpho-physiological traits associated with drought tolerance are suitable indicators for selection of drought tolerant genotypes to reduce effects of water deficiency on crop yield in breeding programs. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was performed in a split-plot design based on randomized complete blocks. The experiment was conducted with tolerant (D-5 and D-10) and sensitive (Valfajr and Makouie) Iranian genotypes of Hordeum vulgare under two irrigation regimes (well-watered and deficient conditions) in 3 replications at Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran, Northwest, and West region, Tabriz, Iran. Investigated morphological traits included culm height, spike length, and awn length. Additionally chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a/b ratio, total chlorophyll, SPAD chlorophyll, carotenoids, relative water content (RWC), osmotic potential and protein content were assessed as physiological parameters. Culm height, spike length, and relative water content were significantly decreased during water deficit while a noticeable increase was determined in carotenoids, osmotic potential, and protein content. Also, a correlation between some of the morphological and physiological traits was established. Finally, spike length, awn length, osmotic potential and protein content are recognized as characteristics related to drought tolerance which can be exploited as early tests for selection and screening of tolerant genotypes.

Chlorophyll, Carotenoids, Osmotic potential, Protein content, Water deficit