Effects of irrigation and sowing date on yield and quality of barley and wheat

Abstract

Abstract Four experiments with ‘Zephyr’ barley and ‘Karamu’ wheat were undertaken from 1977 to 1981. In these experiments the cereals were sown at 4 dates from mid September to mid December and grown under 3 levels of irrigation. When the sowing date was delayed from the traditional date of mid September to mid October there was no detrimental effect on their yield. The cereals became more reliant on irrigation with sowing date delay and their quality was affected. Barley quality was improved by the increased irrigation but wheat baking score was reduced. Barley sown in mid November had a high irrigation requirement, gave a good yield, but it lacked malting quality. Wheat yields were less than barley at this date. The growing of cereals with a mid December sowing date is not feasible.