Determination of the best planting date and cultivar of rainfed barley in Hamedan

The aim of this research was to study the effect of planting dates of 6 Oct., 5 Nov. and 5 Dec., 2013 as S1, S2 and S3 treatments, respectively, on growth, yield and yield components of five barely cultivars (C1; Mahally as a control, C2; Abidar, C3; Valfagr, C4;Bahman and C5; Makoyei). A factorial experiment was done based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station of Bu- Ali Sina University. Traits of plan height, number of spike m-2, number of grain spike-1, 1000- seed weight, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index (HI) were evaluted. Results showed that planting date treatment had significant effects on all traits. Maximum grain yield (420.82 g m-2) was attained at S1 treatment. S3 treatment in comparison with S1 treatment decreased grain yield up to 46.5%. At the late planting date (S3) due to exposure of plants with heat and drought of late season, grain yield of barley decreased. Also, maximum biological yield (906.33 g m-2) was achieved at planting date of 6 Oct. (S1). Between barley cultivars for traits of grain and biological yields was different significant. Valfagr cultivar with average of 382.83 g m-2, produced the highest value of grain yield and this coutivar had significant difference with other cultivars. The interaction of planting date × cultivar was significant only for grain number spike-1. Maximum and minimum values for grain number spike-1 were achieved at S1×C3 and S3×C1 treatments, respectively. In this study the most suitable planting date and barley cultivar for Hamadan region was determine planting date of 6 Oct. and Valfajr cultivar.