Winter Barley: Establishment

Winter Barley

Establishment

Seed winter barley between September 10 and 20 in Area 1, between September 15 and 25 in Area 2, and between September 30 and October 5 in Area 3 (Figure 1.7- 1). Do not delay seeding because of dry soil. Seed 1.0 to 1.25 inches deep. Maintain a uniform seeding depth. Shallow seedings cause poor stands.

The desired population for winter barley is 1.2 to 1.5 million per acre (28 to 34 plants/sq ft). This requires a seeding of approximately 96 pounds per acre. Hulless barley should be seeded at higher populations: at least 1.7 million and 2.0 million seeds per acre in high-yielding fields. The seeding rate should be based on the number of seeds per acre rather than pounds per acre. Refer to Table 1.7-3 when estimating the appropriate seeding rate for various drill row spacings. Seeding rates shown in Table 1.7-3 are adequate if you are seeding under ideal conditions; however, the rates should be increased for seeding under poor conditions such as a cloddy seedbed or a delayed planting date. When seeding later than the suggested dates, increase the seeding rate 30 percent.

Satisfactory yields depend on having approximately 40 heads per linear foot of row when planted in 7-inch rows. To achieve this, you need a stand of 17 plants per foot of row. Winter grain plants have the ability to increase tiller production as the population is reduced. This reduces the effect of low populations on yield. However, populations can be reduced to the point that the land area should be replanted into another crop later in the spring. This occurs when there is about a 50 percent stand remaining, or eight to nine plants per linear foot of row.