Barley Growth Stages
Previous
Next
Week 1 Growth Stage. The plants this week are at approximately the one leaf stage. Seeding depth was about one inch deep. Wheat normally has 4-5 seminal (seed) roots and barley may have up to 7 seminal roots. The number that develops is dependent on variety, seed vigor and soil conditions.Growing degree days: from planting (3/29) to emergence (4/16) = 155. Growing degree days: from emergence (4/16) to 1 leaf stage (4/20) = 89.5. Accumulated growing degree days (planting to 1 leaf stage) = 244.5. Zadoks scale: 11, Feekes scale: 1, Haun scale: 1.1
Week 2 Growth Stage. This week the plants are at approximately the 2 leaf stage. Merit is starting to develop its 3rd leaf whereas Whitebird (see below) has not finished developing its 2nd leaf. Growing degree days for week of 4/19 - 4/25 = 130.5. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 2 leaf stage) = 177. Picture taken at the 2 leaf stage. Zadoks scale: 12, Feekes scale: 1, Haun scale: 2.3.
Week 3 Growth Stage. The plants are at the 2 and 3 leaf stage. Merit has started to develop its first tiller and its coleoptile tiller. The alternate leaf pattern is more visible. Leaves form alternately on cereals with odd numbered leaves arising from one side of the stem and even numbered leaves on the opposite side. When counting leaves on cereals, the first formed leaf is numbered 1, the second leaf is numbered 2 and so on. Tillers are counted in the same manner. Tiller 1 arises from the base of leaf 1, tiller 2 from the base of tiller 2, etc. Growing degree days for week of 4/26 - 5/2 = 110. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 5/2) = 277.5. Picture taken 5/3 at the 3 leaf stage. Zadoks scale: 13, Feekes scale: 1, Haun scale: 3.2. Merit is starting to develop its first tiller (Tiller 1) along with the coleoptile tiller (also known as the T0 tiller). Tiller 1 arises from the base of leaf 1 and emerges near the leaf collar of leaf 1. Normally, tiller 1 starts to emerge when the plant has 3 to 4 leaves. The T0 tiller arises from the seed and is often used as an indicator of seed and/or seedbed quality. When it forms, the T0 tiller normally becomes visible when the plant has approx. 3-4 main stem leaves. On plants with T0 tillers, this tiller usually contributes more yield than any other tiller. The T0 tiller is quite sensitive to environmental conditions and does not generally appear if there is significant seedbed stress. Seedlots with high vigor will have more seedlings that develop T0 tillers than will seed lots of lower vigor. When comparing seedlots in similar seedbed conditions, the percent of plants with T0 tillers is one measure of seed vigor. When comparing the same seedlot in different seedbed conditions, the percent of plants with T0 tillers can be used as a measure of seedbed stress. Seeding deeper than needed also reduces the number of T0 tillers.
Week 4 Growth Stage. Merit barley is about a full leaf ahead of Whitebird wheat this week. This indicates that Whitebird requires more GDD for each leaf to develop than does Merit. The number of tillers depends upon genetic and environmental factors. Some varieties are more free tillering than others. Barley is generally more free tillering than wheat. Stresses resulting from inclement weather, too little or too much water in the soil, soil compaction, deep seeding or nutrients out of balance may decrease tillers. Very high seeding rates will also reduce the number of tillers/plant due to competition between plants. Growing degree days for week of 5/3 - 5/9 = 83. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 5/9) = 360.5. Picture taken 5/10 at the early tillering stage (four main stem leaves, two main stem tillers, and coleoptile tiller (T0)). Zadoks scale: 22, Feekes scale: 2, Haun scale: 4.3. Merit has four fully developed leaves and the 5th is about 0.5 as long as leaf 4. The tiller (T1) developing at leaf 1 has one fully expanded leaf and the 2nd leaf is also visible. Tiller 2 (T2) is developing from the axil of leaf 2. Tiller leaves emerge from a sheath, called the prophyll, which can later be found enclosing the base of the tiller. The prophyll can be used to identify tiller leaves from those on the main stem or other tillers.
Week 5 Growth Stage. The barley this week is showing nearly complete development. The adventitious roots (arising from the crown) that last week were visible as developing buds are now about an inch long. This root system will gradually become the dominant root system that supplies the plant with water and nutrients. The developing head in the main stem is just barely visible to the naked eye when the plant is dissected. Heads are also developing on tillers but are not yet visible. Maximum head size is being determined and set at this stage of growth. Plant emergence was just 31 days ago. The wheat is fully one leaf (phyllochron is the term used to describe the interval between appearance of successive leaves) behind the barley. Growing degree days for week of 5/10 - 5/16 = 74. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 5/16) = 434.5. Picture taken 5/17 at tillering (five main stem leaves, three main stem tillers, and coleoptile tiller (T0)). Zadoks scale: 23, Feekes scale: 2, Haun scale: 5.4. The T0 tiller has two fully developed leaves and the third is over the length of T0 leaf two. A secondary tiller is also developing from the T0. On the main stem, leaf 6 is visible and about 0.4 the length of leaf 5. Tiller 1 has 2 fully developed leaves and the third is about the length of T1 (tiller 1) leaf 2. A secondary tiller is also developing from tiller 1. Tiller 2 (arising from the axil of leaf two) is also developing and the second leaf is almost fully developed.
Week 6 Growth Stage. Growing degree days for week of 5/17 - 5/23 = 160.5. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 5/23) = 595. Picture taken 5/24 at early jointing stage. Zadoks scale: 31, Feekes scale: 6, Haun scale: 6.5. Merit has likely produced all its tillers. There are the following potential heads on this plant: main stem, three primary tillers, T0 tiller, secondary tillers coming from tillers 1 and 2. Tiller 3 has 2 fully developed leaves and the start of leaf 3. If tiller 4 was going to develop, it should be only one leaf behind tiller 3. Several of these tillers will not survive to produce seed. The number that survive depends on environmental conditions, plant density, weather and other factors. The plant has started to joint and the first detectable joint is about 2 inches above ground level. When the main stem was dissected, the developing head could be seen and is 5/16ths inch long. Maximum spikelet number has been set in this head for over 1 week and the tillers are undergoing this process at present. For those tillers that will likely produce grain, maximum kernel number has been set. The adventitious roots have become quite numerous and are becoming the main roots feeding the plant.
Week 7 Growth Stage. Growing degree days for week of 5/17 - 5/23 = 160.5. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 5/23) = 595. Picture taken 5/24 at early jointing stage. Zadoks scale: 31, Feekes scale: 6, Haun scale: 6.5. Merit has likely produced all its tillers. There are the following potential heads on this plant: main stem, three primary tillers, T0 tiller, secondary tillers coming from tillers 1 and 2. Tiller 3 has 2 fully developed leaves and the start of leaf 3. If tiller 4 was going to develop, it should be only one leaf behind tiller 3. Several of these tillers will not survive to produce seed. The number that survive depends on environmental conditions, plant density, weather and other factors. The plant has started to joint and the first detectable joint is about 2 inches above ground level. When the main stem was dissected, the developing head could be seen and is 5/16ths inch long. Maximum spikelet number has been set in this head for over 1 week and the tillers are undergoing this process at present. For those tillers that will likely produce grain, maximum kernel number has been set. The adventitious roots have become quite numerous and are becoming the main roots feeding the plant.
Week 8 Growth Stage. The barley is in the mid boot stage and most of the plants have fully developed flag leaves. Plants at this stage are quite susceptible to freeze damage. As the heads are elevated in the plant, less severe temperatures are needed to cause damage. Freezes at this stage will likely cause entire kernels to be aborted. Freezes after flowering may cause kernels to abort but may also cause shriveled kernels. Head emergence through flowering is the most sensitive time for freeze damage. Refer to "Spring Freeze Injury to Idaho Cereals," Bulletin No. 724, for more discussion on freeze damage. Growing degree days for week of 6/1 - 6/6 = 133.5. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 6/6) = 965. Zadoks scale: 45, Feekes scale: 10, Haun scale: 9. If a producer were to apply a fungicide such as Tilt, this would be the right time. A producer could apply Cerone (plant growth regulator to help control lodging) at this stage. Both Tilt and Cerone can be applied up until the awns are visible emerging from the boot. Picture taken 6/7. Developing head from Merit, 2-row spring barley, at mid boot stage. This head (from the main stem) was approximately 12-14 inches above ground.
Week 9 Growth Stage. The plants are in the middle of the fastest phase of dry matter accumulation. They are approaching the stage of maximum water use. On a hot and windy day, the plants will use as much as 0.4 inches of water a day and on a hot calm day they'll use as much as 0.3 inches of water per day. Growing degree days for week of 6/7 - 6/13 = 149.5. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 6/13) = 1114.5. Zadoks scale: 49, Feekes scale: 10, Haun scale: 10.1. At this stage it is too late to use Tilt and/or Cerone on the barley. Picture taken 6/14. Developing head from Merit, 2-row spring barley, at late boot stage. The tip of the awns on this head were approximately 1-2 inches from the flag leaf collar.
Week 10 Growth Stage. The barley is well into flowering (anthesis). This is when the plants are most susceptible to freeze damage because the heads are partially or fully exposed. Any stress during this time period will affect cell replication within the developing kernels thus reducing overall kernel size. Proper timing of irrigation is crucial during this time. Growing degree days for week of 6/14 - 6/20 = 249. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 6/20) = 1363.5. Zadoks scale: 65, Feekes scale: 10.5.2, Haun scale: 11.5. Picture taken 6/21 at flowering (anthesis) stage. This head is approximately 3" long (excluding awns) and was fully emerged from the boot.
Week 11 Growth Stage. The barley has completed flowering. The barley is just starting to develop its kernels. Growing degree days for week of 6/21 - 6/27 = 213.5. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 6/27) = 1577. Zadoks scale: 69, Feekes scale: 10.5.2, Haun scale: 11.6. Picture taken 6/28 at the end of flowering. This head is approximately 3.5" long (excluding awns). Developing kernel from main stem head.
Week 12 Growth Stage. Early soft dough stage of kernel development. Generally, soft dough stage is the time for the last irrigation for both wheat and barley. This is true for producers with a silt loam soil where the soil profile is full of water. Producers with sandy soil can irrigate beyond the soft dough stage to make up for water loss in the soil. Producers need to remember that excess irrigation in wheat and barley will affect test weight and percent plump, increase the chance of lodging and increase the risk of disease problems associated with lodging. Growing degree days for week of 6/28 - 7/5 = 210. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 7/5) = 1787. Zadoks scale: 83, Feekes scale: 11.2, Haun scale: 14.0. barley Picture taken 7/7 at early soft dough stage. This head is approximately 4" long (excluding awns). Developing kernel at early soft dough stage from main stem head. (373 Growing degree days from heading)
Week 13 Growth Stage. Late soft dough stage of kernel development. The barley is almost done with its dry matter deposition. Growing degree days for week of 7/6 - 7/11 = 192.5. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 7/11) = 1979.5. Zadoks scale: 85, Feekes scale: 11.2, Haun scale: 14.0. barley Picture taken 7/12 at late soft dough stage. This head is approximately 4" long (excluding awns). Developing kernel at late soft dough stage from main stem head (536.5 Growing degree days from heading).
Week 14 Growth Stage. Early hard dough stage of kernel development. The barley is starting to lose color in the awns, glumes (seed covering) and the part of the stems just below the heads (peduncle). Growing degree days for week of 7/12 - 7/18 = 244.5. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 7/18) = 2227. Zadoks scale: 87, Feekes scale: 11.2, Haun scale: 15.0. barley. Pictures taken 7/19/99 at early hard dough stage. This head is approximately 4" long (excluding awns). Note the loss of color in the awns and glumes (seed covering). Developing kernel at early hard dough stage from main stem head (781 growing degree days from heading).
Week 15 Growth Stage. Late hard dough stage, the last stage of development before ripening. Growing degree days for week of 7/19 - 7/25 = 247. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 7/25) = 2474. Zadoks scale: 87, Feekes scale: 11.2, Haun scale: 15.0. barley. Pictures taken 7/27/99 at late hard dough stage. This head is approximately 4" long (excluding awns). Note the loss of color in the awns and glumes (seed covering). Developing kernel at late hard dough stage from main stem head (1028 Growing degree days from heading).
Week 16 Growth Stage. Kernel hard stage of ripening. Growing degree days for week of 7/26 - 8/1 = 256. Accumulated growing degree days (emergence to 8/1) = 2730. Zadoks scale: 91, Feekes scale: 11.3, Haun scale: 16.0. barley. Pictures taken Aug. 2 at kernel hard stage. Kernel at kernel hard stage from main stem head (1284 Growing degree days from heading).