The Water Relations of Barley Grown Continually or After Fallow Under Semi-Arid Conditions

Abstract

SUMMARYGrain barley was grown either continually or in rotation with fallow in a 12-year experiment. Annual rainfall ranged from 120 to 297 mm. As the water requirement of the crop is 240 mm, growth in most seasons occurred under water stress. The amount of water conserved under fallow was only significant (75–100 mm) in three of the 12 years and only once did the water conserved increase barley yield in the following year. The total grain yield over the experimental period was twice as high in the barley–barley sequence as in the barley–fallow sequence.Cultiuo continuo de cebada o después de barbecho