B. Dyulgerova

Abstract. The present study was undertaken with the objective to determine the association between yield and its component characters and their direct and indirect effects on grain yield in winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) mutant lines. The study was conducted at the Institute of Agriculture, Karnobat, during the period 2009–2011 and included 19 lines, developed by mutant treatment with sodium azide of cultivar Veslets. Phenotypic correlations of grain yield were highly significant and positive with number of grains in spike, weight of grains in a spike and weight of grains in a plant. The maximum direct contribution to grain yield was made by weight of grains in a plant and number of grains in spike. Therefore, these traits can be used as selection criteria to high-yielding winter feed barley mutants.