Comparison of New Cereals in Barani Areas to Improve Food Security under Rain Fed Conditions of Kohat

Abstract

Four different cereals i.e. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Triticale (Triticosecale), Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and Oat (Avena sativa) were tested for yield and yield components at Barani Agricultural Research Station, Kohat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan under rainfed conditions during the year 2010-11. Maximum grain yield of 3133 kg/ha was recorded for Wheat, followed by 3071, 2254 and 1800 kg/ha for Triticale, Oat and Barley respectively. The maximum height of 258 cm was noted for Oat, followed by Triticale and Barley attaining a plant height of 124 and 108 cm respectively, while minimum plant height of 96 cm was noted for Wheat. Further, maximum 301 ears/m² were observed for Barley, whereas minimum for wheat (241). Minimum days to maturity were taken by Barley (145 days), while Triticale and Oat took maximum days to maturity (172 days). Therefore, Triticale could be used as alternative of wheat having comparative yield under rainfed condition.

KEYWORDS: Triticum aestivum; Triticale; Barley; agronomic characters; Pakistan.