Effect of dates of sowing and genotypes on growth and yield of barley (Hordium vulgare L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2009-10 and 2010-11 at R.B.S. College Agricultural Research Farm, Bichpuri, Agra in sandy loam soil, to study the effect of dates of sowing and genotypes on growth and yield of barley. The two dates of sowing and four genotypes were tested. Finding revealed that the maximum shoot height as well as dry matter per plant was obtained by sowing of barley on November 14th (D1) and this treatment was also significantly superior as compare to the crop sown on December 21st (D2), whereas the highest shoot height was obtained with G1 followed by G2. G1 was found significantly superior as compare to all other genotypes except G2. It is further noted that maximum dry matter accumulation per plant was obtained by G2 followed by G1. Both these genotypes were found significantly superior as compared to all other genotypes. D1 date of sowing produced maximum yields (biomass yield, grain and straw yield) and also found significantly superior as compare to the crop sown on December 21st (D2) in this regards, while dates of sowing did not affected the harvest index significantly. The maximum biomass and grain yields were produced with G2 and this was found significantly superior as compared to all other genotypes expect G1, whereas the highest straw yield was obtained with G1 and this was found significantly superior as compared to all other genotypes expect G2 and all genotypes did not affected the harvest index significantly during both the years.