Barley Classification and Uses

Barley Classification and Varieties

• Barley belongs to the Poaceae family.
• There are two main types of barley varieties: winter barley and spring barley.
• Barley can be sown in two-row or six-row arrangements; spring planting uses the two-row method.

Uses of Barley

• Malting barley is primarily used to produce alcohol for the brewing and distilling industries.
• Feeding barley is utilized to create animal rations.
• Barley straw serves as animal bedding and feed.

Harvest and Moisture Content

• Ideal moisture content for malting barley at harvest is 14%.
• Feeding barley should have a moisture content of 18% or lower at harvest.

Optimal Growing Conditions

• Barley thrives in bright, sunny, and warm conditions.

Growth Stages of Barley

• Five growth stages:
  • Germination
  • Tillering
  • Stem extension
  • Heading
  • Ripening

Phyllochron and Influencing Factors

• Phyllochron is the time between the emergence of two successive leaves.
• It is influenced by the sowing date of the chosen seed variety.

Choosing Cereal Varieties

• Factors for selecting cereal varieties include relative yield, straw shortness, lodging resistance, straw breakdown, earliness of ripening, and disease resistance.

Thousand Grain Weight (TGW)

• Thousand grain weight measures the mass of 1,000 grains in grams, essential for calculating seeding rates.

Key Factors Influencing Barley Production

• Influential factors: soil type, seedbed preparation, sowing time, seeding rate, and fertilizer application.
• Barley is best suited to well-drained, deep/sandy loam, grey-brown podzols, or brown earths.
• Ideal soil pH for barley growth is between 6 and 6.5.

Planting Schedule

• Winter barley is best planted in autumn (September).
• Spring barley should be planted from February to April.

Seed Sowing Techniques

• Rolling is performed to ensure good seed contact with the soil.
• Seeds are sown using a combine drill, with a typical drill distance of 14-16 cm.
• Seeds should be sown at a depth of 3-5 cm.
• Seeding rate for winter barley ranges from 160-200 kg/ha, typically higher than that for spring barley.

Tramlines and Fertilizer Application

• Tramlines are established parallel lines that allow for access to crops for fertilizer spreading without damaging the plants.
• Soil tests are conducted to determine the suitability and application rates of fertilizers.

Seeding Rate Calculation

• The seeding rate can be calculated using the formula: target population multiplied by TGW divided by expected establishment percentage.

Fertiliser Application for Barley

• When sowing spring barley using a split dressing, 30% of the fertiliser should be applied at the time of sowing.

Nutrient Requirements for Malting Barley

• Malting barley should be fertilised with phosphorus and potassium to enhance growth and quality.

Understanding Lodging

• Lodging refers to cereal crops, particularly barley, bending over, which causes them to lie flat and complicates harvesting.
• Lodging negatively impacts yield potential and can be influenced by adverse weather conditions or improper fertiliser application.

Harvest Timing and Yields

• Winter barley is typically harvested in July, yielding 7 to 9 tonnes per hectare, alongside an average straw yield of 4.2 tonnes per hectare.
• Spring barley is harvested in August, producing a yield of 6 to 7 tonnes per hectare, with straw yield around 3.6 tonnes per hectare.

Pests Affecting Barley

• The primary pests associated with barley cultivation are leatherjackets and click beetles.
• These pests can significantly reduce crop yield, affecting overall production.

Barley and Grass Rotation

• Barley should not be cultivated in rotation with grass, indicating a preference for different cropping strategies for optimal yield.

This quiz explores the classification and varieties of barley, focusing on its uses in malting and animal feed. It covers optimal growing conditions, harvesting moisture content, and the growth stages of barley. Test your knowledge on this important cereal grain!