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 yield, 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.