Effect on scald (Rhynchosporium secalis (Oud.) J. Davis) infection on yield response of Stirling barley to various sowing rates

Abstract

The effect of a range of sowing rates on scald infection and yield in barley cv. Stirling was studied to investigate if increased plant density will lead to more ears/m2 and therefore compensate for yield losses due to scald. Increased sowing rate (50 v. 100 kg/ha) did not compensate for yield loss due to scald. However, significant yield increases (3.0 v. 4.0 t/ha) with increased sowing rates (25 v. 125 kg/ha) occurred when scald was controlled. Such yield in creases were accompanied by increases in the number of ears/m2 and number of grains/ha, but decreases in number of grains/ear and 100-grain weight. The severity of scald infection was not affected by sowing rates.