Effect of planting date and seed rate on seed yield and seed yield components in local hull-less barley

Hull-less barley (Hordeum vulgare var coeleste L.) is one of varieties of common barley، which is used for feeding of poultry and animals. It is also useful for crop rotation. Appropriate sowing date and seed rate of hull-less barley are very important in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province. To determine effects of sowing date and seed rate on grain yield and yield components of local hull-less barley، field experiments were conducted at Shahrekord region (Iran) during 2003-04 and 2004-05 cropping seasons. Experiments in both years were factorial base on randomized complete block design، with three replications. Seed rates were 300، 400، 500 and 600 seed per m2 and sowing dates were 2، 17 Oct.، 1 and 16 Nov. Results showed that sowing date significantly affected on grain yield، number of spike per m2 and 1000-kernel weight. Grain yield decreased when sowing date was delayed، because number of spike per m2 and 1000-kernel weight decreased. At the other hand، grain yield at different plant densities was significant at 5% probability level. With increasing seed rate، number of spike per m2، 1000-kernel weight and grain yield increased. Overall، sowing date of 2 Oct. and seed rate of 400 seed per m2 are recommended to cultivate hull-less barley at Shahrekord region.