The crown system of barley: I. Temperature, seeding depth and genotypic effects II. Classification and description

Abstract

Little is known about the crown system and its association with plant growth and development in spring cereals. This study investigated temperature, seeding depth and genotypic effects on crown development of barley; relationships between crown and seminal root systems; and classification and description of crown systems under deep seeding. Two greenhouse experiments were performed using PVC tubes. Low temperature and deep seeding reduced percentage and rate of emergence but increased crown number, crown depth, and crown weight in most genotypes. Crown number, crown depth and crown weight showed increased associations with seminal root, whole root, and shoot weight at low temperature and deep seeding in most genotypes. Deep plantings showed that crown systems of barley can be classified as unicrown, bicrown and multicrown types with some variants. One line produced plants with no subcrown internode under 12.5 cm planting. Our results suggested that the crown is a potential source of crown roots and tillers.