The effect of plants density and population on yield and yield components and forage in dual purpose cultivation of barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

In order to study the effect of plant population and Density on the yield components and forage in dual cultivation of barley cultivars, a split plot experiment in the form of randomized complete block design with for replications was carried out in Khuzestan agricultural and natural resources research farm in 2011-2012. The main factor consisted of two barley cultivars (midday, 10th global) and the sub factor consisted of four levels of planting density (250, 350, 450, 550 seed per square meter). The results of the experiment showed that the effect of cultivar and planting density on grain yield was significant at 1% level. The interactive effect of cultivar and density on 1000-grain weight, biomass yield of final harvest time, forage, and harvest index was not significant. However, the difference between various cultivars in terms of total biomass yield was significant at 5% level. The highest rate of grain yield, biological yield, number of grains per area unit, and 1000-grain weight belonged to 10th global cultivar with density of 550 seeds per square meter. The interactive effect of cultivar and planting density on the yield of forage was not significant while the effect of planting density on forage was significant at 1% level. The highest forage yield belonged to 10th global cultivar with density of 550 seeds per square meter and the lowest yield belonged to midday cultivar with density of 250 seeds per square meter. The results of the experiment indicated that 10th global cultivar with high yield potential produced more vegetative organs and its early season vegetative growth was more than midday cultivar and consequently it had higher yield of forage, and also had produced more fertile tillers and foliages than the midday cultivar; moreover, it had higher forage and grain production potential than the midday cultivar while the midday cultivar had the lowest vegetative growth and its grain and forage production potential was less than 10th global cultivar. * Corresponding Author: Roya Dashti Nejad  dashti1287@.yahoo.com