Optimum seeding rates for hulless barley production in eastern Canada

Hulless barley is a new crop in eastern Canada. Best cultural practices must be developed for hulless barley in order to achieve its maximum yield potential. A study was carried out to identify the optimum seeding rates for hulless barley in eastern Canada. Six barley varieties were seeded in six different seeding rates (250, 350, 450, 550, 650, and 750 seeds m-2) in a factorial experiment with four replications at seven environmental conditions across eastern Canada. The results showed that the optimum seeding rates for covered barley were 250 to 350 seeds m-2, but those for hulless barley should be higher, ranging from 450 to 550 seeds m-1.