Temporal and spatial feasibility of hull-less barley cropping in agricultural lands of Gorgan township

To agroecological zoning of current agricultural lands in Gorgan township and determination of the suitable planting date for hull-less barley cultivation, a research was carried out in the spatial and temporal steps. In the first step, geographic information system (GIS) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) were applied to agro-ecological zoning of agricultural lands in Gorgan township for hull-less barley cultivation. The results showed that extend areas of Gorgan agricultural lands are suitable for hull-less barley production. So, about 20,899.35 ha (32.64 percent) of agricultural lands were located in the high suitable class (S1) and 25,759.13 ha (40.24 percent) in suitable zone (S2).The high suitablezone (S1)was observed in the northwesternparts toward central and northeast regions of this township.Also, about 17,730.54 ha(27.17 percent) areas were identified as less suitable (S3) and non-suitable (NS) zones for hull less barley production. In the second step, a field experiment was conducted with six planting dates (29 October, 12 and 28 November, 12 and 28 December and 11 January) in the randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications at Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, during 2013-2014. Statistical analysis showed that effects of planting dates were significant onall studiedtraits except 1000 grain weight.The first and secondplantingdates (29 October and 12 November) had the highest grain yield, harvest index, biological yield and SPAD.In general, we can be concluded that hull-less barley cultivation in 29 October and 12 November dates in 20,899.35 ha of Gorgan agricultural lands with high suitable degree, lead to the highest production of grain yield and biological yield.