BARLEY (Hordeum vulgare)
- Botanical Name: Hordeum vulgare
- Family: Graminae (Poaceae)
- Chromosome Number (2n): 14
- Inflorescence: Spike/Head
- Protein Content: 11.5–12.5%, majorly albuminoids
- Dwarfing Gene: Uzu
Morphology & Uses:
- Barley leaves are broader, light green, and rough compared to wheat
- Does not contain gluten – not suitable for bread-making
- More tolerant to saline and alkali soils than most cereals
- Widely used in malting industries – for beer, vinegar, alcohol, yeast, and malt
Types/Classifications:
- H. vulgare: Six-rowed, all spikelets fertile, awned or hooded, uniform arrangement — commonly grown in India
- H. irregulare: Ear may be two or six-rowed; lemma without hoods; high protein
- H. distichon: Two-rowed, only central spikelet fertile, low protein
Varieties:
- Azad, Amber, Kailash, Dolma (Huskless), Clipper, Ranjit, Ratna, Jyoti, RS-6, RD-2552
- Moly nematode resistant: RD-2052, RD-2035, Rajkiran
Seed Rate:
- Irrigated (hulled or huskless): 75–80 kg/ha
- Rainfed: 100–120 kg/ha
Important Varieties in India:
- RD-2552, RD-2035, RD-2508, Azad, Clipper, Ratna, Jyoti
- Huskless: Dolma, Kailash (preferred for baby food, human consumption)
Climate Requirement: Temperate to subtropical. Optimum temperature: 15–20°C. It is a rabi season crop in India
Soil Requirement: Well-drained loamy soils. Tolerates saline, alkaline, and marginal soils better than wheat
Major Producing States: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh
Barley Uses: Malt production, brewing industry. Cattle feed, breakfast cereals, soups. Barley straw is used as bedding and feed for animals
Malt Purpose Varieties: DWRUB 52, DWRB 101, DWRB 91
Drought & Salinity Tolerance: Highly tolerant compared to other cereals. Suitable for problematic soils
Diseases: Loose smut, covered smut, rust, leaf spot, powdery mildew. Seed treatment with fungicides (like Vitavax or Bavistin) recommended
Fertilizer Management:
- 60:30:20 NPK kg/ha in irrigated;
- 40:20:20 for rainfed areas
- Zn & Fe application may enhance yield in deficient soils
Harvesting: Done when 90% spikes turn golden-yellow. Moisture content should be 14-16% in grains for storage
Storage: Store in moisture-free bags or bins to avoid fungus and insects
