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Research on Crops

Effect of seeding rate and growth period on the quantity and nutritional quality of fodder barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under hydroponic cultivation 


DOI: 10.31830/2348-7542.2025.ROC-1283    | Article Id: ROC-1283 | Page : 682-689
Citation :- Effect of seeding rate and growth period on the quantity and nutritional quality of fodder barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under hydroponic cultivation. Res. Crop. 26: 682-689
SAFAA ABD AL-HASSAN AL-ZUBAIDY AND RAFID S. AL UBORI rafidish@agre.uoqasim.edu.iq
Address : Department of Field Crops, College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon 51013, Iraq
Submitted Date : 19-10-2025
Accepted Date : 7-11-2025
Online Published:

Abstract

Barley is an important winter cereal crop in Iraq, widely used as green fodder. Rising feed costs highlight the need for low-cost, year-round alternatives like hydroponic soilless farming. However, the optimal seeding rate and growth duration for maximizing yield and quality of hydroponic barley fodder remain uncertain. Therefore, an experiment was conducted during 2023 under greenhouse chamber, College of Agriculture, Al- Qasim Green University, Iraq, to evaluate the effect of planting rates and different growth periods on the productivity and quality of fodder barley. The experiment included two factors using a completely randomized design (CRD) whit three replications. The initial variable was the seeding rates of 2500, 3000 and 3500 g/m2. The second influence was the growth durations of 9, 12 and 15 days. Planting was done in dishes considered experimental units for these factors, and thus the number of experimental units reached 27 experimental units. The results showed that a seed rate of 3000 g/m² achieved the greater of green fodder yield, dry matter, and protein percentage, while a seed rate of 2500 g/m² yielded the lowest green fodder yield, dry matter, and protein percentage. Maximum plant height and dry matter percentage were achieved at 3500 g/m². The 15-day growth period achieved the highest plant height, protein content, and dry matter content. The 12-day growth period from germination yielded the highest green forage yield. The growth period affected growth, productivity, and quality.  

Keywords

Barley growth periods hydroponic seeding rate 

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