THE EFFECT OF SEED SIZE ON EARLY PLANT DEVELOPMENT IN BARLEY

Abstract

Results of greenhouse tests with two barley varieties showed that plants grown from large seed were superior to those grown from small in rate of seedling growth and size of the first two leaves. Small seed was superior to seed particles. Results were inconsistent for the third and subsequent leaves. Differences in rate of growth were more pronounced when plants were grown on vermiculite than when grown on soil. In a growth cabinet test it was shown that temperatures had only a minor effect on the size of the first two leaves.The length of the first and second leaf was positively correlated with spike weight and floret number but these results were inconclusive.