Effect Of Sowing Date On Yield Of Some Barley Advanced Lines And Cultivars

In order to determine the most proper sowing date and barley cultivar, this study was conducted in a sandy loam soil at the farm of Agricultural Bank, Bardsir, Kerman during growing seasons of 1998-99 and 2000-01. Four sowing dates (Oct. 15, Oct. 30, Nov. 15 and Nov. 30) as the main factor, and four barley cultivars and lines (Makouee, CB-74-2, MB-73-6 and Valfajre) as the sub factor were studied in a split plot experiment, within randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance, mean comparison with Duncan's Multiple Range Test, correlation between yield and related traits and stepwise regression were used as statistical procedures. According to the results, the effect of sowing date on grain yield, Grains/ear, ears/m2 and plant height was significant at 0.01 level. Reduction in these traits was observed due to early and/or delay in sowing. The highest yield was obtained from CB-74-2 line in the second and third sowing dates, (6.861 and 6.503 tha-1, respectively). There was a positive significant correlation at 0.001 level between yield and Grains/ear, ears/m2, and also between yield and plant height at 0.01 level. Among these traits, only two traits (grains/ear and ears/m2) could fit in the regression model (R2= 0.698).