Science · Plants, Natives & Crops
Barley
Barley supplies feed, malting grain, and forage. It matures relatively early and tolerates drought and saline conditions.
Hordeum vulgare · Cool-season grain and forage cereal
Profile
- Planting forms
- Spring and winter varieties are available.
- Soil
- Moderate to well-drained soils are preferred.
- Winter survival
- Fall-planted barley is less winter hardy than some other small grains.
- Forage selection
- Hooded forage varieties avoid the stiff awns found in many grain varieties.
Water & soil context
- Moisture (VWC)
- Maintain adequate moisture during establishment and early growth; avoid poorly drained soil.
- Salinity tolerance
- USU describes high salinity tolerance and gives an EC threshold of 6.0 dS/m for forage barley.
- Drought tolerance
- Drought tolerant and adapted to short growing seasons.
Illustrative monitoring-depth band
6–12 in
Editorial placement example, not a validated optimum or total rooting depth. Confirm the site's root distribution and soil horizons; multiple depths may be needed.
Early-season irrigation can support establishment and forage growth when spring moisture is limited.
Problems to watch
- Russian wheat aphid
- Cereal leaf beetle
- Wireworms
- Winter injury
Stress signs
- Rolled leaves
- White or purple leaf streaks
- Stunted, yellowing plants
- Windowlike feeding strips on leaves
Where you'll find it
- Malting grain
- Livestock feed
- Hay
- Silage
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All Science profilesPublished botanical and soil references are distinct from GroundWorx product guidance. Moisture thresholds and monitoring depths require site calibration; sources do not establish product performance or diagnose stress.