Evaluation of Spring Barley Variety Performance in Trials Near Moccasin, Denton, and Fort Benton (2001)

Abstract

To evaluate the performance of spring barley varieties in environments and cropping methods representative of the southern triangle and central Montana. Yields ranged from 47.3 to 59.7 bu/a at Moccasin and from 16.1 to 21.9 bu/a at Fort Benton. Yields at Fort Benton were well below average due to low rainfall. Dry spring conditions contributed to uneven germination at the Denton site and the nursery was abandoned. The yield of Xena was high at both locations harvested although differences in yield between varieties were not significant at either site. Stressful growing conditions contributed to the increased variability. The trial at Moccasin was planted re-crop after canola and the trial at Fort Benton followed winter wheat. Barley yields ranged from average to well below average depending on the location and the amount of rainfall received. Post harvest seed dormancy evaluations were conducted on barley seed harvested from the trials as a means of predicting weed potential from volunteer barley in cropping systems. Cultivars having the longest germination times are hypothesized to be problematic as this seed would remain dormant through the winter and germinate in early spring to present a weed problem. In September, seed from seven varieties and three locations was placed on wet blotter paper and incubated at 50° F. At three, four, five, and seven days, the percentage of germinated seed was recorded. Differences in germination between the three sites were generally insignificant.