Optimum seeding rates for hulless barley production in eastern Canada

Abstract Hulless barley is a relatively new crop in eastern Canada. Best cultural practices must be developed for hulless barley 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 lines consisting of two-row and six-row covered and hulless varieties (AAC Azimuth, AAC Starbuck, CDC Ascent, AAC Bloomfield, AAC Ling, and CH2720-1) were seeded in six different seeding rates (250, 350, 450, 550, 650, and 750seedsm−2) in a factorial experiment with four replications at seven sites across eastern Canada. The results showed that the optimum seeding rate for covered barley was 250–350 seeds m−2, but those for hulless barley higher yield potentials were achieved at seeding rate from 450 to 550 seeds m−2. Two-row varieties were higher yielding and had higher protein concentration than six-row varieties. The results of this study show that there is potential for further development of high-yielding two-row cultivars for eastern Canada.