Saline soil reclamation
Barley is the most salt tolerant cereal crop and barley growth remains unchanged up to high levels of salinity (Lacolla et al., 2008). Barley is thus often used in soil reclamation as it dilutes and excludes salt. Six-row, smooth-awned barleys are more tolerant of salinity than other barley types (UC SAREP, 2006).
Soil improver and erosion control
With its strong root system that grows as deep as 1.8-2.1 m, barley helps preventing soil erosion. Moreover, while it provides feed and cover during winter, it can be ploughed in for green manure during spring, thus improving soil OM content (UC SAREP, 2006).
Shelter
In California, barley is also used in vineyards as a shelter crop for young vine shoots because it lessens frost potential (UC SAREP, 2006).