THE INFLUENCE OF SOWING TIME AND SEEDING RATE ON THE YIELD STRUCTURE ELEMENTS OF SPRING BARLEY

Abstract

The article presents the yield structure elements of spring barley under different sowing dates and seeding rates. A two-factor experiment was conducted in 2025 in the Kelmė district at A. Vaupšas farm. The factors applied were sowing dates (April 3, 10, 17, and 25) and seed rates (3, 4, and 5 million seeds ha⁻¹). The previous crop in the field was carrots. The plot area for accounting was 1700 (5 x 340) m², and the experiment was conducted in four replicates using the spring barley variety 'Lexy'. The study showed that there is a significant influence of both sowing date and seeding rate on the yield structure elements of spring barley. A trend was observed where delayed sowing or the use of the highest seed rate (5 million seeds ha⁻¹) often significantly reduced yield structure elements. Delaying the sowing date and increasing the seeding rate led to fewer grains per spike and lower 1000-grain weight. Sowing at later dates and increasing the seed rate significantly decreased grain yield. Although the significant highest number of productive tillers was achieved with a seed rate of 5 million seeds ha⁻¹, these barley plants did not reach maximum yield due to competition. Significantly the highest and best yield structure indicators were obtained when barley was sown on April 10 at a seed rate of 4 million seeds ha⁻¹.