Photosynthetic Traits of Spring Barley throughout Development Stages under Field Conditions

Abstract

Photosynthetic traits are affected by many environmental factors, of which the most important ones are microclimate of crop stand and meteorological conditions. A 2-year field study was conducted to determine the photosynthetic rate (P) and chlorophyll index (SPAD) alteration in various spring barley cultivars throughout development stages under field conditions. The tests involved three seed rates (SR) [200 (SR I), 400 (SR II), and 600 (SR III) viable seeds per m2] and three cultivars (Aura DS, Barke, and Gustav). The measurements were made four times during the growing season. In 2008, the P values were the greatest at BBCH 45 under warm conditions coupled with a lack of rainfall. The spring barley cultivars differed in tolerance of the weather conditions between the experimental years. The P of Barke was the greatest in warm and dry conditions (2008), and that of Gustav was greatest mainly in wet conditions. The P of Aura DS was lower than the trial mean in both years. The SRs effect on P and SPAD was significant only in sporadic cases. The variation of P and SPAD depended significantly (P ≤ 0.05, P ≤ 0.01) on the weather factors and their interaction.