Optimum Variety and Seed Rate of Barley for Coffee Trees Intercropping During the First Three Years

Abstract

The study aims to identify the optimum variety and seed rate of barley (Hordeum vulgaris) for growing as coffee trees intercropping during the first three years. The barley varieties were Samoeng 2 and BRB 9, and seed rates were 20, 25 and 30 kg/rai. It was found that average grain yield of Samoeng 2 was doubled that of BRB 9. Higher grain yield was also obtained from higher seed rate. Samoeng 2 at 30 kg/rai gave the highest grain yield. Intercropping arabica coffee with barley resulted in a reduction of height of coffee tree but had no effect on number of primary branches, canopy diameter, stem diameter and coffee yield. It was concluded that when barley were grown with coffee, coffee yield was not affected. In this condition, Samoeng 2 barley was better than BRB 9 and sowing Samoeng 2 at 30 kg/rai produced the highest yield.