Sowing Date and Pesticide Application Effects on Barley Grown in Central Ethiopia

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of sowing dates and pesticide (control or insecticidal seed treatment with Imidacloprid plus foliar fungicide Propiconazole) application on four barley varieties. Sowing dates, pesticide application and variety significantly affected yield, yield components, shoot fly incidence and fungal disease score. Variety HB-1307 gave significantly greater seed yield than the other three varieties. June 26 sowing gave significantly more grain yield than earlier or later sowings. Spike density per unit area was lower with the June 15 and July 18 sowings than with June 26 and July 7 sowings. Barley shoot fly infestation decreased with delay in sowing date. Grain yield increased from 3264 to 4117 kg/ha due to pesticide application. Seed dressing decreased insect damage and increased spikes m^-2. Foliar fungicide application reduced fungal disease score. Grain yield of HB-1307 was less by about 2800 kg/ha when sown early or late without the pesticides. Results for sowing dates and pesticide application from the current study concur with similar studies conducted in the same environment in earlier years. Crop management packages that include choice of the best variety, optimal sowing date and adequate control of insect pests and diseases can dramatically increase barley grain yield in central Ethiopia.

Keywords: insecticidal seed treatment, fungicide application, integrated pest management

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-1-06

Publication date: January 31^st 2020