Abstract
To determine the suitable location and time of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) cultivation with living mulches, we examined the effects of meteorological factors on the growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) used as living mulch. In the field experiments conducted in 2007 and 2008, the later the sowing date, the poorer the growth in both wheat and barley, and all barley died before the soybean harvest season, although some wheat survived. In pot experiments at a low temperature, however, not only wheat but also barley survived until the soybean harvest season. The growth of barley was greatly affected by temperature and 26−41% of the growth was explained by temperature and solar radiation in the growing season. The growth of wheat was less affected by temperature and solar radiation, and for estimation of the growth of wheat used as living mulch, soil condition should also be considered.
