Effect of Seeding Depth on Grain Yield of Three Barley Genotypes in Cold Dryland Areas of Maragheh

Conservation tillage practices and proper planting depth are very important for early emergence before the first effective rainfall in dryland cold regions. An experiment was conducted at the Dryland Agricultural Research Station of Maragheh, located in the northwest of Iran, during 2001-2004 to determine the proper planting depth for barley in dryland. The treatments were, three barley genotypes (Yesevi , Obruk and ICB-111838) as the main plot and three planting depths (2-4, 4-6 and 6-8 cm) as subplot designed in strip plot with three replications. Data were taken from yield and other traits during the growth period. Results showed that planting depth significantly influenced number of heads per square meter, biomass and grain yield. The highest number of heads per square meter (296 heads) and the highest grain yield (2750 kgha-1) were obtained from 4-6 cm planting depth. Differences between grain yield of genotypes were significant (P < 0.01). The maximum grain yield (2780 kgha-1) was gained form Yesivi genotype. Number of heads per square meter was the main effective factor on yield increase.