The aim of this study was conducted to assess the combined ability, for chlorophyll content, proline content, and dehydration capacity of the leaves. In this sense was used 4 x 4 half diallel crosses of winter barley to identify the best parents and combinations of these. Combining ability analysis provides important information for selecting parents in terms of the performance of their hybrids for future use in breeding programs. For chlorophyll content, the additive gene action presented a major influence. The greatest general combining effects for proline content were achieved in the Adi and DH 260/18 varieties, the Adi variety possessing a high potential for transmitting this character to the offspring. The Andrew variety (-1.32) registered the most valuable additive effects for improving the dehydration capacity of the leaves.