Growth and micro-environment of barley as influenced by sowing methods, crop residues and irrigation schedules

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different sowing methods, crop residues and irrigation schedules on growth and micro-environment of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Combination of sowing methods viz., bed sowing and flat sowing with crop residue viz., paddy straw @ 3 t/ha and 6 t/ha in main plots and irrigation schedules viz., 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 IW/CPE ratio in sub-plots were laid out in split-plot design replicated thrice. Bed sowing resulted in early emergence by one day and performed equivalent to flat sowing method in terms of growth parameters viz., leaf area index (LAI) and root density. Application of paddy straw mulch @ 6t/ha significantly increased LAI at all the growth stages, root density, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception and delayed the physiological maturity. During emergence, paddy residue used @ 6 t/ha raised the minimum temperature of soil by 1.2°C and at physiological maturity decreased the maximum soil temperature by 2.6°C as compared without residue.