WATER MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION
Basically barley is a winter season drought tolerant crop having limited water
requirement. However, providing irrigation is quite useful in increasing yield
from fertilizer responsive short statured dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties.
The quantity and frequency of irrigation to barley depends on the late rains, soils
and climatic conditions.

Barley uses water more efficiently than other winter cereals. It has a much
better ability to resume growth after a short spell of soil-moisture stress. The
frequency and the depth of irrigation water depend on the quantum and
distribution in winter rainfall, soil conditions and the nature of variety grown.
Sufficient soil moisture should be ensured at sowing to attain a uniform as well as
recommended optimum plant density. The careful selection of cropping and
cultural practices and their appropriate combination is required to conserve
sufficient moisture in soil for barley in the rabi season.
 IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT
Irrigation management is about controlling the rate, amount, and
timing of applied irrigation water in a planned and efficient manner. With
good irrigation management, a barley crop can have high yield and
quality potential.

The goal of irrigation management is to use available irrigation water

effectively in managing and controlling the soil moisture environment of
crops to do three things:
 promote the desired crop response
minimize soil degradation and
protect water quality 
Proper irrigation management requires a good understanding of a number
of factors:
soil fertility (crop nutritional requirements)
soil-water-plant relationships
crop type
crop sensitivity to water stress
crop growth stages
availability of a water supply
climatic factors that affect crop water use such as rainfall, temperature,
humidity, and net radiation
irrigation system capabilities and limitations

Equipped with such knowledge, an irrigator can develop a workable and

efficient irrigation scheduling program.
STRATEGIES

A workable and efficient irrigation management strategy should be

crop-specific. Crop-specific irrigation management strategies mean
available water is used efficiently to meet a specific crop’s water
requirements for maximum water productivity. 

Generally, the goal is to ensure that water is available at germination and in

early development by applying light, frequent irrigations (if there is no
rainfall).
This method promotes vigorous growth and replenishes and increases
available soil water content in the entire root zone during the pre-flowering
growth stages. Such a strategy will allow modern sprinkler irrigation
systems to keep up to crop demand during the peak water use period,
which typically occurs during the flowering and fruit-formation growth
stages. 
Crop-specific irrigation management strategies are usually applied to
adjust for the following differences among crops:
effective root zones
sensitivity to water stress
types (cool versus warm-season)
vulnerability to diseases at various crop growth stages
response to soil fertility levels
plant population/densities
physiologic maturity (timing of last irrigation)
potential income
 BARLEY WATER NEEDS
Barley uses water for growth and cooling purposes.
The water requirement or evapotranspiration (ET) for barley depends on
variety, growth stage, canopy density, climatic conditions, and irrigation
and crop management. 
Barley grown under optimal conditions (well-fertilized, well-irrigated,
seeded in standing stubble, pest-free, and uniform and optimum canopy)
requires 380 to 430 mm of water per growing season.
 When seeded into soil with available water between 60 and 100 per cent,
barley will germinate, grow rapidly, and reach a peak water use of near 7
mm per day during the flowering and fruit-formation growth stages
(Figure 1). 
Typically, the roots of barley grow to an effective water extraction depth
of 100 cm in a well-developed soil. Root distribution is concentrated near
the surface; hence, barley obtains more than 70 per cent of its seasonal
water from the upper 50 cm of the active root zone.
The active root zone changes from a few millimetres at emergence to a
maximum depth of 100 cm at the flowering growth stage. 
Figure 1. Daily water use during different growth stages of irrigated
barley. Shaded area indicates variation in barley water use
depending on plant type, cultivar, and climatic conditions. 
Water requirements
 The seasonal water requirements for barley depends on variety, target
yield and crop management.

Malt barley may require more water over the growing season than feed
barley. This additional water is required to maintain the protein content of
the grain and meet the standards set by maltsters. 

Approximately 70 per cent of the crop water use comes from the top 0.5 m
(1.6 ft) of the root zone, but the crop will use soil moisture to a depth of 1.0
m.

Maximum water use will occur for 21 - 28 days. 

IRRIGATION SCHEDULE FOR BARLEY
Barley is commonly grown as rainfed crop in regions where annually it
rains 400 to 500 mm but requires water to be applied to it for its growth
in drier areas. It is commonly grown on sandy loam soils of medium
fertility.
 According to Malik (1971), 4 to 5 irrigations may be given to the barley
crop growing on sandy loam soils at Hissar(Haryana) when it has
depleted 50% of the available water.
 Bajpai and Singh (1972) have found the 50% depletion of available
moisture in the sandy loam soils of Jobner(Rajasthan) to be enough to
necessitate the application of 5 to 6 irrigations to the barley crop.
 Yadav (1975) have suggested that it should be allowed to deplete 75%
of the moisture available in its pre-flowering stage and 50% of moisture
available in its post flowering stage in the soil and six irrigations of 45mm
water each should be applied to it when the IW:CPE ratio is 0.8.
Like wheat, barley also has certain critical growth stage during which it
needs water very badly.
Warsi et al. (1973) have found 3 irrigations at about 30,80 and 95 DAS i.e.
during tillering, flowering and milk stages of it to be necessary to be
applied to it to get maximum yield.
Garg and Saraswati (1973) have obtained good yield of barley crop by
irrigating at its tillering stage (30 DAS), jointing stage (60 DAS) or
flowering (80 DAS) and milk stage (95 DAS).

Prihar and Sandhu (1987) are of the opinion that barley crop responds to
irrigation particularly if the seasonal rainfall is low as at Jobner, Rajasthan
where barley crop growing in sandy/loamy soil is to be given nine
irrigations of 40mm each on the basis of IW:CPE ratio of 0.8 to get its high
yield.

Four irrigations of 60 mm each are to be applied to it on the basis of

IW:CPE ratio of 1.05 at Madhipura.
Crop response to drought stress
 Moisture stress at any stage of crop growth can cause an irreversible loss in yield
potential.
 Drought stress during the grain-filling period did not lower grain moisture
content, but shortened the grain-filling period and reduced yield (Samarah Nezar
H. ,2005)
 Research indicates that stress prior to, or just after, the onset of flowering, reduces
yields the most.
 The yield-reducing effects of stress can be offset somewhat if the stress is relieved
later in the season, but the yield recovery from stress near flowering stage is lower
than recovery from stress in the vegetative stages of earlier growth.
 Moisture stress can also result in higher protein contents and a shortening of the
grain filling period, leading to earlier maturity. 
Barley is not tolerant of prolonged or excessive drought.
 It will tolerate soil moisture depletion to 30-35 per cent of available moisture
during grain formation and 10-20 per cent near maturity.
 Protein content of the grain increases when available soil moisture drops below 50
per cent for extended periods of time. For optimum yield and quality, it is
important to monitor soil moisture conditions regularly through out the growing
season and irrigate accordingly.
 
Crop response to excess moisture

 Excessive soil moisture during the jointing and boot stage, coupled with
high nitrogen fertility, may promote vegetative growth that could result in
lodging as the crop develops.
 Irrigation after the crop is well developed also promotes lodging due to
the weight of water on the plants.
 Excessive soil moisture during the tillering and flowering stages will not
depress yield nearly as much as during earlier stages of growth.
Hulled Barley

• It is reported that about 50% available moisture gives satisfactory germination

and irrigation at 25% available moisture in 15- 30 cm soil layer in higher yields.
• Irrigation based on critical stage approach has been found to be economical and
effective (Singh and Sandhu, 1981).
The following stages have been identified as critical for irrigation.
i. Active tillering : About 30-35 DAS
ii. Flag leaf/booting : About 60-65 DAS
iii.Milk/ grain filling : About 80-85 DAS
• Further irrigation at 0.45 – 0.50 atmosphere soil-moisture tension has been
reported to give higher yield of barley in late-sown conditions.
• In dry land conditions, one life-saving irrigation at a critical stage will
increase yield substantially.
• On saline-sodic soils, light but frequent irrigations instead of heavy irrigations
at longer intervals should be given.
Hull-less barley
•Since hull-less barley varieties require about 10-15 days more for maturity than
the hulled type, they may be caught in the hot winds in the plains during
maturity.
•This results in poor grain filling in the upper portion of earhead and reduction in
grain yield.
•Therefore it is essential to give one more irrigation at grain filling stage to avoid
the effect of hot winds at the time of grain filling.

Fodder and forage barley

•When barley is grown for fodder and forage purpose, the first cut or harvest
should be done at about 60-65 DAS.
•While taking a cut, care should be taken to leave about 2.5-3.0 cm above ground
plant parts to give better regeneration power to crop.
•Also application of 20kg/N and one giving irrigation is essential to have better
and vigorous growth after the cut.

Malt barley
•One extra irrigation given at grain filling results in better quality grains for
malting.
•At no stage of crop, moisture stress condition should be allowed to set in.
 Water stress affect grain dormancy
Water Stress occurring close to anthesis increased the subsequent post-
harvest dormancy of the grains.
Period of water stress occurring later in grain development was more
variable in effect, tending to decrease grain dormancy in comparison with
grains not subjected to water stress.
This water-stress-induced dormancy was broken by removal of the
covering layers of the grain.
The variability in the dormancy of the grains from season to season
suggested that other environmental factors may also affect grain
dormancy.
 WEED MANAGEMENT
 Barley is relatively more competitive to the weed flora commonly associated
with it due to its quick initial growth rate and a thick plant stand.
 It almost covers its growing area by active tillering stage.
 This initial fast growth gives it upper hand in competing with weeds and
under ideal conditions of growth it almost smothers all the weeds and survives
from competition.
 Thus the weed problem is less in barley.
 Nevertheless, the improvement in barley with higher doses of fertilizers under
irrigated conditions has prompted weed competition too.
The most common weed species identified in barley are:
 Avena fatua (wild oat),
Phalaris minor (canary grass),
Fumaria parviflora,
Chenopodium album (bathua),
Cirsium arvense (kateli),
 Anagallis arvensis (krishna neel),
Melilotus alba,
 Melilotus indica (senji),
Convolvulus arvensis,
Ageratum conzoides etc.
 A good cultural practice like one hoeing and one hand weeding after

first irrigation at 30-35 days after sowing gives effective control.

 If weeds persist chemical weed control may be contemplated. All broad-
leaved weeds can be controlled by spraying 2,4-D@ 0.75 kg a.i./ha
dissolved in 750 litres of water at 40-45 DAS.
 Under dryland conditions the dose maybe reduced to 0.50 kg. Addition
of 3% urea solution to 2,4-D spray mixture improves its efficacy.
 Application of isoproturon@ 1-1.5 kg a.i./ha or methabenzthiozuron
@1.5kg a.i./ha or metaxuron @1.5 kg a.i./ha dissolved in about 750 litres
of water as post emergence spray at 30-35 DAS effectively controls grassy
and other weeds.
Major weeds associated with barley and their chemical control measures
are given in the Table 1.
TABLE 1: Different types of weeds and their chemical control methods.

Type of weeds Herbicides Dose/ha Method of

application
Broad leaf 2,4-D 500 g (30-40 DAS) Spray around 35
Metsulfuron 4g days after seeding
using 400-500
litres water
Both narrow and Isoproturon 750-1,000 g Spray around 35
broad leaf Isoproturon+2,4- 750+ 500 g days after seeding
D using 400-500
litres water
1,000-1,500 g Spray pre-
Pendimethalin emergence using
400-500 litres of
water.

Source: “A Textbook of Field Crops Production- Foodgrain crops” Vol. 1

Rajendra Prasad(2005)
PRE PLANT AND PRE EMERGENCE WEED CONTROL
1. CARFENTRAZONE
Rate 0.008 to 0.031 lb ai/A (0.5 to 2 fl oz Aim 2EC)
Time Apply before, during, or after grain has been planted.
Remarks Use a nonionic surfactant at 0.25% v/v (2 pints/100 gal spray
solution) having at least 80% active ingredient. A high-quality sprayable
liquid nitrogen fertilizer may be used at 2% to 4% v/v (2 to 4 gal/100 gal
spray solution) or ammonium sulfate at 2 to 4 lb/A in addition to the
nonionic surfactant. Tank-mixes with other herbicides will increase
spectrum of control. Apply to actively growing weeds not more than 4
inches tall, or rosettes 3 inches in diameter. Thorough coverage is essential
for good control. To avoid significant crop response, do not apply within 6
to 8 hours of rain or irrigation.
Caution Do not exceed 0.031 lb ai/A (2 fl oz Aim EC or EW) per crop
season. Do not harvest for forage within 7 days after application.
Site of action Group 14: protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor
Chemical family Triazolinone
2. GLYPHOSATE
Rate 0.375 to 0.75 lb ae/A
Time Apply before, during, or after barley has been planted. Applications
must be made before the barley emerges.
Remarks Prepare seedbeds as far ahead of application as possible to permit
maximum weed emergence. Be aware that glyphosate is formulated as 3, 4,
4.17, 4.5, and 5 lb ae/gal; be sure to use the correct amount of herbicide
depending on the formulation. Glyphosate may only be used as a spot
treatment in barley fields. Do not treat more than 10% of the field to be
harvested. Some glyphosate products require adding a nonionic surfactant;
be sure to check the product label. The addition of 1 to 2 percent
ammonium sulfate (AMS) by weight or 8.5 to 17 lb/100 gal of water may
increase the performance of glyphosate, particularly with hard water or
when spraying during drought conditions.
Caution Carefully check the entire field to ensure that no barley has begun
to emerge. Do not allow glyphosate to drift off target.
Site of action Group 9: inhibits EPSP synthase
Chemical family Organophosphorus
3. PARAQUAT (GRAMOXONE INTEON)
Rate 2 to 4 pints/A (0.25 to 1 lb ai/A Gramoxone Inteon 2SL)
Time Apply before, during, or after planting barley but before barley
emerges.
Remarks Results are best if a delay between tillage and planting allows
weeds to emerge. Controls only annual weeds. Always use a nonionic
surfactant, crop oil concentrate, or methylated seed oil with the
application.
Caution Restricted-use herbicide. Applicators, mixers and loaders must
wear long-sleeve shirt and long pants, shoes plus socks, protective
eyewear (applicator), face shield (mixers and loaders), chemical resistant
gloves, chemical resistant apron (mixers and loaders), and a dust mist
NIOSH-approved respirator with an N, R, P, or HE filter. Dry, dusty
conditions will decrease herbicide’s activity. Do not apply if wheat has
already emerged.
Site of action Group 22: photosystem I electron diversion
Chemical family Bipyridilium
Wild Oats, Italian Ryegrass, and Other Grass Weeds
3.FENOXAPROP-P-ETHYL (MULTIPLE TRADE NAMES)
Rate 0.05 to 0.0825 lb ai/A (6.4 to 10.6 fl oz/A)
Time Apply from barley emergence up to the five-leaf stage but before the
jointing stage, and when grass weeds are in the one-leaf (fully expanded) to
advanced tillering stage. Windgrass will be controlled from emergence to 3
inches tall.
Remarks Use 5.3 fl oz/A for green foxtail, 6.4 fl oz/A for yellow foxtail and
wild proso millet, and 10.6 fl oz/A for barnyardgrass, blackgrass, windgrass,
green foxtail and wild oat control. Under cool, wet conditions, further crop
safety can be obtained by tank mixing MCPA ester at recommended rates. In
dense weed populations, a 15 to 20 gal/A spray volume is required for best
control.
Caution Always check the tank-mix partner label to determine if the addition of
a surfactant is required. Do not tank mix with dicamba or 2,4-D; see label for
herbicides approved for tank mixing. Do not apply if conditions might move
spray from target area. Do not apply within 57 days of harvesting barley. Do not
apply through any irrigation system. Rain or sprinkler irrigation within 1 hour
after application may reduce wild oat control.
Site of action Group 1: acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitor
Chemical family Aryloxyphenoxy propionate
5. PINOXADEN (AXIAL XL)
Rate 0.053 lb ai/A (16.4 oz/A Axial XL 0.42EC)
Time Apply to spring barley from the two-leaf to pre-boot stage. Apply
to wild oat from one- to six-leaf stage on the main stem but before the
fourth tiller emerges. Apply to green foxtail and Italian ryegrass from
one- to five-leaf stage on the main stem but before third tiller emerges.
Remarks Use at least 5 gal/A water in aerial applications, 5 to 10 gal/A
water in ground applications. Surfactant is not required with Axial XL
formulation. Axial XL is rainfast 30 minutes after application. Make one
application per season, not to exceed 16.4 fl oz/A.
Caution Avoid applying in more than 10 gal/A water because grass
control may be reduced. Do not apply to a crop stressed by conditions
such as frost, low fertility, drought, flooding, or disease or insect damage,
because crop may be injured. Do not harvest grain or feed treated barley
straw for 60 days following application.
Site of action Group 1: acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitor
Chemical family Phenylpyrazolin
6. PINOXADEN + FLUROXYPYR (AXIAL STAR)
Rate 0.054 lb ai/A pinoxaden and 0.093 ae/A fluroxypyr (16.4 fl oz/A
Axial Star 1.15 EC )
Time Apply from the two-leaf to pre-boot stage
Remarks Apply to actively growing weeds. Axial Star may be tank mixed
with several different broadleaf herbicides. Refer to the Axial Star 2ee
label for the recommended list of broadleaf herbicides. Axial Star is
rainfast 1 hour after application. Make one application per season.
Caution Do not apply to a crop that is stressed by conditions such as
frost, low fertility, drought, flooding, disease damage, or insect damage
or crop injury may result. Do not harvest grain or feed treated barley
straw for 60 days following application.
Site of action (pinoxaden) Group 1: acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase)
inhibitor; (florasulam) Group 4: Synthetic auxin (fluroxypyr)
Chemical family (pinoxaden) Phenylpyrazolin; (fluroxypyr) Pyridine
Annual Grass and Broadleaf Weeds

7. DIURON (KARMEX OR DIREX)

Rate 1.2 to 1.6 lb ai/A (1.5 to 2 lb/A of the 80% DF)
Time Apply as soon after drill planting as possible, but before barley
emerge.
Remarks For use in western Oregon and western Washington in winter
barley. A smooth, moist seedbed and moisture after treatment will
enhance weed control.
Caution Do not use on spring barley. Do not replant treated areas to any
crop within 1 year after the last application because injury to the
subsequent crop may result.
Site of action Group 7: photosystem II inhibitor
Chemical family Substituted urea
8. METRIBUZIN (METRIBUZIN, TRICOR DF, TRICOR 4F)
Rate 0.75 to 8 oz ai/A (1 to 10.66 oz/A of the 75DF or 1.5 to 16 fl oz/A of the 4F)
Time Apply low rates (0.75 to 3 oz ai/A) when barley is in two-leaf to four-tiller
growth stage. Apply 3 to 8 oz ai/A when barley has more than four tillers and
secondary roots are longer than 1 inch, but before jointing growth stage.
Remarks May be used on spring and winter barley. Best control is on weeds less
than 2 inches tall. Do not apply more than 8 oz ai/A in 1 year. Application rate
also depends on organic matter content. If applying sequentially, allow at least 21
days between applications. See label for more specific information.
Caution Certain barley varieties should not be treated with metribuzin (refer to
label). On irrigated cereals, do not apply more than 0.5 inch water for the first
irrigation; in each additional irrigation, do not exceed 1 inch. Allow at least 14
days between the first and subsequent irrigations. Do not use on soils containing
less than 0.75% organic matter. Do not rotate to wheat, barley, alfalfa or seed corn
in the fall of the year following application, or in the spring of the following year.
Do not apply through any irrigation system.
Site of action Group 5: photosystem II inhibitor
Chemical family Triazinone
Annual Broadleaf Weeds

9. 2,4-D
Rate 0.25 to 1.25 lb ae/A
Time Apply when barley is fully tillered but before jointing.
Remarks Individual 2,4-D labels vary slightly on use rates and
application timing. Check label to ensure proper rate and application
timing. Higher rates are for fall-planted barley, and not spring-planted
barley. Be aware that 2,4-D may be formulated with 3.74, 3.8, 5, 5.5, 5.6
and 6 lb ae/gal; be sure to use the correct amount of herbicide
depending on the formulation. Preharvest interval is 14 days.
Caution Do not forage or graze treated grain fields within 2 weeks after
treatment. Do not feed treated straw to livestock. Do not let 2,4-D drift
off target. Check label for maximum amount allowed per crop cycle.
Site of action Group 4: synthetic auxin
Chemical family Phenoxy acetic acid
Preharvest Weed Control

10. 2,4-D (SEVERAL TRADE NAMES)

Rate 0.5 to 1 lb ae/A
Time Apply when barley is in hard dough stage to control weeds that
will interfere with harvest.
Remarks Results are best when soil moisture is sufficient for active weed
growth.
Caution Do not let 2,4-D drift off target.
Site of action Group 4: synthetic auxin
Chemical family Phenoxy acetic acid
11. CARFENTRAZONE (AIM EC)
Rate 0.008 to 0.031 lb ai/A (0.5 to 2 fl oz/A Aim 2EC)
Time Apply when crop is mature, and grain has begun to dry down.
Remarks Use a nonionic surfactant at 0.25% v/v (1 quart/100 gal spray
solution) having at least 80% active ingredient. A high-quality sprayable
liquid nitrogen fertilizer may be used at 2% to 4% v/v (2 to 4 gal/100 gal
spray solution) or ammonium sulfate at 2 to 4 lb/A in addition to the
nonionic surfactant. Coverage is essential for satisfactory performance.
Repeat application if necessary.
Caution If applied as a tank-mixture, refer to the other product’s label for
restrictions on tank mixing, and observe all label precautions, instructions,
and rotational cropping restrictions.
Site of action Group 14: protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor
Chemical family Triazolone
THANK YOU
 REFERENCES

Prasad Rajendra “A Textbook of Field Crops Production- Ffoodgrain crops”

Vol. 1 (2005)

Samarah Nezar H. (2005) Effect of drought stress on growth and yield of barley
Agron.Sustain.Dev 25 (145-149).

Singh S.S and Singh Rajesh. Crop Management .Kalyani Publishers (1998)

•books.google.co.in
•http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex13570
•http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/irr1245
•http://pnwhandbooks.org/weed/agronomic/cereal-grain-crops/barley