Agronomic practices that enhance the productivity of interplanted barley and saltbush (atriplex nummularia l.)‎ shrubs under rainfed conditions on the north west coast of Egypt

الملخص EN

n-farm trials were laid out in agroecological zone 2 at El-Negilla, 70 Km west Maras Matrouh on the north west coast (NWC) of Egypt during the three growing years of 1997/ 98, 1998 / 99 and 1999 / 2000.

The trials aimed to determine the optimum saltbush shrub density and the need for supplemental irrigation during the year of establishment when interpolated with rained barley.

Another objective was to define a suitable set of recommendations to maximize productivity of barley.

The results could be summarized as follows: Increasing density of saltbush from 70 to 93 and then to 140 shrubs / fed through narrowing row spacing from 20 to 15 and then to 10m, respectively, had no significant effect on saltbush yield components, but consistently increased fresh and dry (DM) yields and FUs / fed of saltbush.

Also, application of one, two and three supplemental irrigations for saltbush shrubs during the year of establishment gradually increased most yield attributes, as well as, DM yield and FUs / fed.

However, water use efficiency (WUE) by DM yield was maximized when shrubs received two supplemental irrigations.

In addition, the results stressed that the optimum cutting date for saltbush shrubs was after two years from transplanting.

Increasing saltbush density had no significant effect on either yield attributes of barley over the three years or grain and straw yields in the 1st year.

But, in the two latter years, grain and straw yields of barley consistently increased with each reduction in row spacing of saltbush.

However, increasing shrub density from 70 to 140 shrubs / fed significantly decreased field stubble after harvest of the barley over the three years.

Comparison between the recommended packages (RP) for barley indicates that RP3 which involves sowing an improved barley cultivar (Giza 126) after rain, chisel plowing twice and application of 15 Kg P2 O5 /fed, was optimum and should be used.