Effects of Soil‐Moisture Regimes on the Growth of Barley1

Abstract

AbstractEffects of soil‐moisture stress at three different stages of growth (jointing, flowering, and dough) on grain yield, grain quality, and plant growth of Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L. emend Lam.) planted in November were studied under the field conditions at Mesa, Ariz. The experiment was conducted to determine the limitations to irragation water conservation in a semi arid environment. Four by four Latin square designs were used to compare four irrigation treatments. Effects of soil‐moisture stress for 7 days at the jointing, flowering, and dough stages of growth and/or until 100% of available water in the first 3 feet of soil was depleted were compared with plants not stressed. Withholding irrigation water during the jointing stage of growth did not reduce and in some cases increased grain yields. Moisture stress at the flowering and dough stages of growth decreased grain yield. Moisture stress at the dough lowered grain bushel‐weight. Stressing barley for water at jointing resulted in shorter plants, less lodging, more tillering, and more heads per unit area. Moisture stress at flowering and the dough stage decreased seeds per head and seed weight, respectively. Cultivars differed in response to soil‐moisture stress. Adequate soil‐moisture must be provided throughout the growing season for maximum yields of high quality grain from Spring barley grown as a Winter‐annual under irrigation.