Influence of Date, Depth, and Rate of Seeding on Winter Barley Survival

Winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is less winter hardy than hard red winter wheat (HRWW) (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars that are adapted to Nebraska. The objectives of this study were to (i) establish the effect of planting date, planting rate, and planting depth on winter survival of barley; (ii) determine how date, rate, and depth of planting affect agronomic traits such as yields, bushel weight, height, and emergence of barley; and (iii) recommend a system for seeding barley which will maximize the opportunities for winter survival and grain production. Two adapted winter barley cultivars, ‘Hitchcock’ and ‘Dundy’ were seeded at two depths (1.25 and 2.5 in.), two rates (40 and 80 lb/acre), and three dates (1,15, and 30 September) in western Nebraska. In each year from 1986 to 1988, seedings were made on both tilled and untilled fields. Emergence and survival were 10 to 15% higher from the high seeding rate but yields were not increased with the higher rate except when the planting date was late. The recommended seeding date for wheat (15 September) was also best for barley, increasing survival by 15% over 30 September. The 1.25‐in. depth of seeding gave better survival and yield at all planting dates. The best combination of planting conditions for winter barley was 15 September at 40 lb/acre at a depth of 1.25 in. Dundy yielded more grain under these conditions than Hitchcock, but if planting is delayed until the end of September Hitchcock yielded more grain. When planting on 30 September, the rate should be increased to 80 lb/acre. Research Question Winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) yields more grain than spring barley when it survives the winter. Most years some winter damage occurs to barley in Nebraska. Several production practices are known to enhance winter survival. This research tries to incorporate several production practices into a system of cultivating winter barley that will enhance winter survival and grain production. Literature Summary Several cultural changes have been successful in improving winter survival of hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). These methods include tillage, plant residue, seeding depth, plant population, seeding method, and planting dates. Studies with winter barley show that we can improve winter survival through changes in production practices. Date of seeding influences winter survival by changing the amount of autumn growth. Cultivar selection had an influence on survival while rate of seeding had less effect on survival or grain yield. Deep crowned cultivars survive better than shallow crowned cultivars. Barley is more sensitive to depth of seeding than many other crops. Study Description Two adapted winter barley cultivars, ‘Hitchcock’ and ‘Dundy’, were sown at two depths (1.25 and 2.5 in.), two seeding rates (40 and 80 lb/acre), and three dates (1, 15, and 30 September). In each year from 1986 to 1988, we seeded plots in western Nebraska on both tilled and untilled fields. Applied Questions Can we improve winter survival of barley through changes in date, rate, and depth of planting? Proper choice of seeding date improved the survival of winter barley. A 15 September planting date was the most desirable. Little reduction in survival occurred from planting as early as 1 September. The 30 September planting date had much lower survival. This resulted because the plants did not have adequate development when growth stopped due to cold autumn temperatures. The difference in survival between 1.25 and 2.5 in. seeding depth was small. The exception was at the 30 September date when a 1.25‐in. seeding depth was desirable. The higher seeding rate increased number of plants present in the spring. The percentage of plants surviving through the winter, however, did not change. Will date, rate, and depth of planting improve emergence, yield, bushel weight, and height of barley? Doubling the seeding rate from 40 to 80 lb/acre increased the emergence by about 15%. Only when the planting date was delayed until 30 September was there an advantage to using the higher seeding rate. Although yields were lower at the 1 September and 30 September planting dates than at the 15 September date, the differences were not statistically significant. Planting depths of 1.25 and 2.5 in. resulted in equal grain yields if planted before 30 September. On 30 September, the 1.2541. depth had higher yields. The increased yield from planting more than 40 lb/acre was minimal except on 30 September. Dundy had better yields than Hitchcock when planted before 30 September while Hitchcock had better yields when planted on 30 September. Bushel weight was highest when planting was on 15 September at a 2.5‐in. depth. It was lowest when planting was on 30 September at a 2.5‐in. depth. Seeding on 30 September resulted in lower bushel weight if the seeding rate was 40 lb/acre. Heading date and plant height did not differ due to date, rate, or depth of planting. Is there a system for seeding barley that will increase winter survival and grain production? Yield and survival of winter barley in western Nebraska was highest when seeded about 15 September. This is the same date recommended for winter wheat. Different dates of planting are acceptable if other adjustments compensate for changes in seeding date. If seeding starts earlier than the recommended date, the depth of seeding should increase to about 2.5 in. There was no advantage to planting more than 40 lb/acre seed when seeding at or before the recommended date. Seeding after the recommended date was less damaging if the seeding rate was above 40 lb/acre and the seeding depth was 1.25 in. Dundy had higher yields when planted before or at the recommended planting date. With later planting, however, Hitchcock had an advantage over Dundy. We do not recommend planting at a depth greater than 2.5 in. because it will reduce stand, survival, and yield. When planted near the end of September, a depth of 1.25 in. gave higher survival and yield than seeding at 2.5 in.