Barley Water Requirement Calculator
Work out the seasonal and per-irrigation water requirement of barley (FAO-56 ETc = ET₀ × Kc, peak Kc 1.15) for your field, climate, soil and irrigation method.
Barley's deeper drought tolerance means 2–4 irrigations usually suffice; the tillering and grain-fill waterings matter most. Over-irrigation lodges the crop and raises grain protein, which maltsters penalise.
Indicative planning figures based on published research averages. Local soil tests, varieties and weather change actual requirements — confirm with your agronomist or extension officer.
Disclaimer: This tool is for general informational and estimation purposes only and is not professional financial, tax, accounting or legal advice. All figures are estimates — verify with a qualified professional before making decisions. Read the full disclaimer.
Farmers and irrigation planners use the free Barley Water Requirement Calculator to turn the FAO-56 crop coefficients for barley into a real seasonal water volume and an irrigation interval for their own field — no agronomy tables, works offline.
About Barley Water Requirement Calculator
Barley is more drought-tolerant than wheat, needing only 350–450 mm, and finishes on fewer irrigations. This calculator uses the FAO-56 method — crop evapotranspiration ETc = ET₀ × Kc — with barley's own crop coefficients (Kc 0.3 initial, 1.15 mid-season, 0.25 late) across a 120-day season. Pick your climate band (which sets reference ET₀), irrigation method (drip, sprinkler, pivot or surface — each with its own efficiency) and soil texture, and it returns the seasonal water need in cubic metres, the peak daily demand, the net depth per irrigation and how many days to wait between irrigations.
How to use Barley Water Requirement Calculator
- 1Enter your field area and choose the climate band matching your season.
- 2Select your irrigation method and soil texture.
- 3Read the seasonal water volume, peak daily demand and irrigation interval, then follow the scheduling note.
Why use Barley Water Requirement Calculator?
- ✓Uses barley's real FAO-56 Kc curve, not a flat factor
- ✓Accounts for drip / sprinkler / pivot / surface efficiency
- ✓Gives seasonal volume, peak daily need and an irrigation interval
- ✓Free, instant and fully in-browser — works offline in the field
Frequently asked questions
How much water does barley need?+
Barley is more drought-tolerant than wheat, needing only 350–450 mm, and finishes on fewer irrigations. The exact figure depends on climate and season length; this tool sums ET₀ × Kc across the crop's 120-day growth stages for your conditions.
Does barley need less water than wheat?+
Yes — barley tolerates drought and salinity better and matures faster, so it needs about 350–450 mm versus wheat's 400–500 mm and fewer irrigations, which is why it is grown on marginal, water-short land.
How many irrigations does barley need?+
Usually 2–4: a crown-root/tillering irrigation and a grain-fill irrigation are the key ones. On residual-moisture rabi land barley can finish on one or two, unlike the thirstier wheat crop.
What is ET₀ and Kc?+
ET₀ (reference evapotranspiration) is how fast a standard grass surface loses water in your climate. Kc (crop coefficient) scales it to a specific crop and growth stage. Crop water use ETc = ET₀ × Kc — the basis of FAO-56 irrigation scheduling.
Is this calculator free and private?+
Yes — free, no sign-up, and all calculation runs in your browser, so it works offline in the field and your data never leaves the device.
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