Abstract
A field experiment was conducted in north Gondar to investigate the response of malt barley varieties to different inter-row spacing under contrasted environment. The experiment was laid out using randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were three different inter-row spacing (i.e., 20, 25, and 30 cm), six malt barley varieties (i.e., Holker, HB1963, Sabine, Ibone174/03, EH1847, and Freygebse), and two locations (Miligebsa and Kino). The result sowed that days to 50% heading, days to 90% physiological maturity, plant height, spike length, and number of kernels per spike were significantly ( p < 0.01 ) affected by the main effect of location and varieties. Similarly, effective tiller number, biomass yield, grain yield, and straw yield were significantly ( p < 0.01 ) influenced by the main effect of variety, inter-row spacing, and location. Important interaction was also observed between varieties × inter-row spacing × location on days to 50% heading, spike length, biomass yield, grain yield, and straw yield. Location × variety interaction significantly influences the days to 90% physiological maturity and effective tiller number. Similar significant ( p < 0.05 ) trend was also observed between varieties with inter-row spacing on effective tiller number and thousand kernel weight even at p < 0.01 level of significance. It was found that optimization of row spacing was found to be influenced by location and varietal difference. Hence, on the basis of the result, it can be inferred that 25 cm row spacing combined with the varieties “HB1963,” “Hollker,” and “Sabine” was optimum for maximum yielding potential under potential environment (Miligebsa).
Highlights
Agriculture is the back bone of Ethiopian economy as it supports different crop and animal productions [1]
Description of the Experimental Site. e rain-fed field experiment was conducted at Kino and Milligebse Keble farmers’ farm station in Debark district, north Gondar zone, Amhara National Regional State, during the 2019 main cropping season to investigate the response of malt barley varieties to different row spacing under contrasted environment. e Kino experimental site is situated at 13°4′51′′–13°4′52′′ N-latitude and 37° 53′17′′–37° 53′19′′Elongitude with an elevation of 2717 masl and Milligebsa experimental site is located at 13°11′41′′–13°11′42′′N-latitude and 37° 59′2′′–37° 59′3′′E with an elevation 3153 masl (Figure 1). e average annual temperature is 12.4°C
Significant difference was observed between the two locations, and the difference was more than 20 days with the same varieties (HB1963) at 30 cm row spacing. is is because of the agro-ecology of the Milligebsa study site; it is relatively higher in altitude and has high moisture-holding capacity as compared to that of Kino study site
Summary
Agriculture is the back bone of Ethiopian economy as it supports different crop and animal productions [1]. Barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) is the best staple food and subsistence crop in the country It is grown in varied environments with the altitude range from 1,500 meters above sea level (masl) to over 3,500 ma.s.l, but mainly grown from 2000 to 3000 masl [2]. Barley is a reliable source of food in the highlands as it is produced during the main and short rainy seasons as well as under remaining moisture. It is used in different forms such as bread, injera, porridge, soup, and roasted grain and for preparing alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks [5]. Despite the fact that food barley is produced mainly for survival by the bucolic farm households, malt barley (Hordeum distichum L) is largely a profitable crop produced in the market
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
