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Water and Irrigation


Water and Irrigation:

About 80% of the barley area in the country is grown under limited irrigation owing to its more successful cultivation than the other rabi cereals, under brackish water, saline – Alkaline soil and in late sown condition. So, barley is generally grown either on conserved soil moisture from the preceding monsoon season or under restricted irrigation. It responds to irrigation in the drier areas and soil with low moisture retention capacity. Barley required lesser quantity of water. Frequency and number of irrigation depends on the rains. Soil type, variety, availability of water etc. usually barley need 2-3 irrigation. First irrigation should be done at active tillering stage which comes about 30-35 days after sowing. Second irrigation is done at flag leaf stage, comes about 60-65 days after sowing. Third irrigation is done at milky stage, comes about 80-85 days after sowing. Of these stages active tillering and milky stage are most critical stage for irrigation. Heavy irrigation should be avoided as it cause lodging, severe yellowing as well as reduction of tillering.