In order to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) involved in the genetic of field and laboratory predictors of drought tolerance and to discover association between field and laboratory indicators of drought tolerance, wheat-barley disomic addition lines were used in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in the field and completely randomized design (CRD) in the laboratory with three replications. The results of analysis of variance exhibited highly significant differences for promptness index (PI), root length (RL), coleoptile length (CL), yield potential (Yp) and stress yield (Ys) indicating the presence of genetic variation and possible chromosomal localization of the genes controlling field and laboratory indices of drought tolerance. Mean comparison indicated that most of the QTLs responsible for drought tolerance are located on chromosomes 4H and 5H. Association between field (stress tolerance index = STI) and laboratory (germination stress index = GSI) indices of drought tolerance showed that GSI can be considered as an early selection criterion for drought tolerance. Three –D plot and cluster analysis confirmed that most of the QTLs controlling field and laboratory criteria of drought tolerance in barley are located on chromosomes 4H and 5H.
