Spring Barley Variety Evaluation in Off-Station and Re-Crop Trials Near Moccasin, Denton, and Fort Benton (2000)

Abstract

This report evaluates the performance of spring barley varieties in environments and cropping methods representative of the southern triangle and central Montana. Yields ranged from 47 to 60 bu/a at the Moccasin and Denton sites. Yield – Yields ranged from 47 to 60 bu/a at the Moccasin and Denton sites. Yields at Fort Benton were well below average due to low rainfall and ranged from 13 to 37 bu/a. The trial at Denton was planted re-crop after lentils and the trial at Fort Benton followed barley. 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. Quick germination of a cultivar would be beneficial in that volunteer seed would germinate early in the fall and be killed by the first frost. three days. Dormancy tests for the crop year 2001 will be conducted closer to actual harvest dates to better assess differences in dormancy among cultivars.