Response of Four Barley Varieties to the Effect of Seed Rates

An experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2020-2021 in the fields of a farmer in the city of Ramadi - Anbar province - Iraq, according to the randomized complete block design [RCBD] with split-plot arrangement and three replications. The study examined the effect of four seed rates [100, 130, 160, and 190 kg ha -1 ] on the growth and yield of four barley varieties [IPA256, Amal, Buhooth 22, and Baraq]. Seed rates allocated to the main plot, while the varieties allocated to the sub-plots. The results showed that the seed rate of 100 kg ha -1 gave the highest mean leaf area of 14.52 cm 2 and the highest 1000-grain weight of 46.88 g. However, the seed rate of 190 kg ha -1 outperformed in crop growth rate, biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index, with 14.19 g m -2 day -1 , 20.50 ton ha -1 , 5.59 ton ha -1 , and 27.40%, respectively. The varieties differed significantly in most of the studied traits, with the variety Buhooth 22 outperformed with the highest mean leaf area and biological yield of 13.05 cm 2 and 20.69 ton ha -1 , respectively. However, the variety IPA256 gave the highest mean crop growth rate, yield per unit area, and harvest index of 14.38 g m -2 day -1 , 5.77 ton ha -1 , and 32.23%, respectively. The interaction between varieties and seed rates showed that the variety IPA256 with the seed rate of 190 kg ha -1 gave the highest yield per unit area of 6.17 ton ha -1 .