Effect of mulching and irrigation levels on growth and productivity of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2019-20 at Research Farm, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda (Punjab) to find out the suitable mulching and irrigation levels for higher productivity of barley. The experiment was laid out in split plot design comprising three mulching levels (0, 5 and 10 t/ha) in main plots and three irrigation levels viz., one irrigation at tillering, two irrigations at tillering + earing and three irrigations at tillering + earing + dough in sub plots. Paddy straw mulching @ 5 t/ha has profound effect on yield and yield contributing characters of barley and straw mulch seemed to be helpful for better yields. The highest grain yield (41.1 q/ha) was recorded from straw mulch @ 5 t/ha in barley which was significantly higher than control (36.6 q/ha), but it was statistically at par with straw mulch @ 10 t/ha (40.8 q/ha). Application of three irrigations (Tillering +earing+ dough stage) significantly increased growth parameters viz., plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of tillers/m2 and yield attributes viz., number of effective tillers/m2, number of grains/spike and test weight than one irrigation and two irrigations treatments. The highest grain yield (45.4 q/ha) was obtained with application of three irrigations (I3) which was significantly higher than one irrigation (I1) and two irrigations (I2). The lowest grain yield (33.6 q/ha) was produced with application of one irrigation (I1). Application of three irrigations resulted in the 35.1 and 14.9% more grain yield as compared to one and two irrigations, respectively.