GROWTH OF HORDEUM JUBATUM UNDER VARIOUS SOIL CONDITIONS AND DEGREES OF PLANT COMPETITION

Abstract

Hordeum jubatum L. was grown in the greenhouse under various levels of soil moisture, soil salinity, soil fertility, and soil temperature, both alone and in association with other grasses. When grown alone it developed best under high soil moisture and high soil fertility, and low soil salinity. On wet, non-saline soils its growth was restricted by competition from Dactylis glomerata L. On wet, saline soils, where D. glomerata offered little competition, it developed freely. It developed only sparsely on dry or infertile soils. Agropyron elongatum (Host.) P. B. prevented development of H. jubatum on wet, saline soils, and Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and Phalaris arundinacea L. restricted its development to a high degree. H. jubatum growth was enhanced as soil temperatures were raised from 7 °C through 12° and 20°, to 27°.