Growth, Protein Content, Yield and Yield Components of Malt Barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i> L.) Varieties in Response to Seeding Rate at Sinana District, Southeast Ethiopia

Abstract

Identifying optimum seeding rate for crop varieties is an important agronomic practice to improve the productivity and the quality of the produces. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of seeding rate on the growth, protein content and yield performance of malt barley varieties grown under rain-fed conditions at Sinnana district, southeast Ethiopia. The treatments studied include five malt barley varieties (Singitan, Bahati, IBON174/3, HB - 1964 and Holker) and four seed rates (100, 125, 150, and 175 kg ha^-1). The experiments were arranged using factorial randomized complete block design with three replicates. The results revealed significant differences among the varieties and seeding rates for days to 50% heading, 90% physiological maturity, plant height, productive tiller (m²), 1000-kernel weight, grain protein content and grain yield (kg ha^-1). Among the barely varieties, Holker recorded the longest days to 50% heading (75.0 days) and plant height (91.79cm). The heavier 1000-kernel weight was produced from Singitan and Bahati (43.52gm) and (43.30gm) varieties, respectively. Increment in seed rate from 100–175 kg ha^-1 decreased days to 50% heading by 6% and thousand kernels weight by 23.51%. Furthermore, the interaction effect of variety and seeding rate showed significant differences on productive tiller, harvest index, grain protein content and grain yield. The use of 150 kg ha^-1 seed rate for variety Singitan resulted in higher number of productive tillers (1017.33 per m²), thousand kernels weight (43.52g), grain yield (3.63 t ha^-1), Hectoliter weight (62.98 kg ha^-1) and lower protein content (10.7%). As per the result of the partial budget analysis, higher benefit also recorded from the use of variety Singitan with a seed rate of 150 kg ha^-1. From the results of this study it can be concluded that, better crop performance, higher grain yield and economic return achieved from the combinations of variety Singitan, Bahati and HB-1964 with a seed rate of 150 kg ha^-1 and variety IBON174/3 and Holker with seed rate of 125 kg ha^-1.