CROP PRODUCTION Barley Barley Barley is a member
CROP PRODUCTION Barley
Barley � � Barley is a member of the Gramineae family. In Ireland Barley is grown in two forms � Feeding barley is used as an animal feed. � Malting barley is used for malting and brewing alcohol. � Barley is easily distinguished from other cereals by the awns present on the grain
Classification of Barley � � Barley is classified as six-row or two-row which describes the physical arrangement of the kernel (seed) in the plant Another way of classifying them describes the beards or awns covering the kernels Seed/kernel Awns
Cereal Identification Wheat Oats Barley
Feeding Barley Feeding barley is suitable for all livestock. The grain from the barley is used for animal feed Barley straw can be fed but has a low feeding value. It is mostly used for animal bedding Feeding Barley will grow on a wide range of soils as long as it has good drainage and a p. H greater than 6. 0.
Malting Barley § § Malting Barley is used in the brewing and distilling industries (grown on contract for Guinness & Murphy). It is grown only on very good soils: with the clay rich grey-brown podzolic soil being the best as it retains moisture for proper ripening but the crop also requires dry soil conditions in summer for harvest. It is confined mainly to South Dublin, Meath, Kilkenny, Carlow and Cork. The soil for this crop is usually a medium loam with a p. H of 6. 5 to 7. 5
Malting barley
Spring Barley Varieties � � � � All are two row varieties. For feeding barley the most commonly sown varieties are Triumph, Fleet, Klaxon & Beatrice. For malting barley Triumph, Grit and Emma are common varieties. Not fully frost resistant Sown in Spring Shorter growing season and lower yield Harvested from August onwards
Winter Barley Varieties � � Winter barley can be either two or six row varieties. Igri and Panda are well known two row varieties sown in the winter. They make up 98% of all winter barley sown. Gerbel, Jaidor and Olympic are example of six row varieties sown in the winter.
Winter Barley Varieties � � � Sown form mid-September to early November Can survive winter frosts Reach grass corn stage (8 -10 cm) before winter Longer growing season and greater yield Harvested mid-July onwards
Advantages of Winter varieties over Spring � See previous notes from principles of crop production
Suitability of seeds � Seed variety are chosen by farmers for the following characteristics �Yield �Strength of straw �Shortness of straw �Earliness of ripening �Disease resistance
Cultivation of Barley � Soil suitability � Climate �Best suited to well �Warm temperatures drained, deep sandy are needed for loam soils or brown barley growth earths �Dry conditions are �The ideal p. H for needed for sowing barley is 6. 5 and harvesting, but moisture is important as drought leads to a lower yield and poorer grain quality
Cultivation of Barley � � Preparation of seedbed �Land should be ploughed to a depth of 12 – 20 cm, harrowed and seed sown �For spring barley the soil may also be rolled after sowing for good soil–seed contact Time, rate and method of sowing � 1 October is the optimum date for sowing winter barley; spring barley is sown between February and April �Barley is sown with a combine drill at the rate of 200 kg/ha. This sows seed and fertiliser at the same time
Combine Drill
Fertilisers � � The main fertilisers used in barley production are CAN, 10 -10 -20 and 18 -6 -12. Application rates: Kg/ha N P K Winter barley 150 30 70 Spring barley 120 25 55
Tillering �Tillering is the ability of cereals and grasses to form auxiliary or side shoots from the main shoot. �The main shoot produces a number of side roots/tillers, each of which develops its own root system & grows into a mature plant while still attached to the main root. �These grasses have short stems but can develop flowering shoots. �Tillering can be enhanced by a series of shocks to the plant such as frost or sheep grazing. �Additional Phosphorous also initiates tillering.
Lodging � � � Is the collapse of all or part of the crop caused by wet & windy weather conditions and too much nitrogen use or weak varieties. The stem can no longer support the head and it falls over. Causes a reduction in yield.
Diseases, Pests and Weed Control � Rhynchosporium (leaf blotch) �Fungal disease �Causes loss of yield and decrease in grain quality �Identified by diamond shaped chlorotic blue -grey patches �Can be controlled by spraying fungicide twice a season
Diseases of barley � Powdery mildew �Fungal disease �Forms grey-white patches on the leaves of the plant �Causes a loss of yield in the crop �Should be treated by spraying a fungicide
Diseases, Pests and Weed Control � Leaf rust �Also called brown rust �Fungal disease �Forms orange-brown circular spores on leaf surfaces �Causes premature death of leaves and loss of yield �Can be controlled with fungicide spray
Diseases of Barley � Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) �Viral disease transmitted by aphids �Leaves turn bright yellow and yield is reduced �Can be controlled with an aphicide during the growing season
Pests � Wireworms � Larvae of click beetle � Yellow-orange in colour � When larvae hatch they feed on seeds, roots and stems � Cause yield reduction in crop � Barley should not be grown after grass in rotation to reduce risk of infestation
Pests of Barley � Leatherjackets �Larvae of crane fly �Eat roots and underground stems of plants �Can be controlled by spraying crop with a pesticide
Weed Control and Rotation � Weed control �Use selective herbicides to control weeds in crop �Crop should be sprayed at three to five leaf stage to successfully control weeds �Crop rotation and stubble cleaning can also control weeds � Rotation �Barley gives higher yields when grown in rotation �It is not seriously affected by pests and diseases, but can be affected if grown after grass
Harvesting Barley � � � � � Winter barley is harvested in July, spring barley in August Barley is harvested with a combine harvester. When the crop is ripe the ear bends over and lies parallel to the stem The straw will be dead, dry and bleached in colour The grain will be hard and dry The moisture levels should be about 14 – 16% The harvester cuts the crop and separates the grain from the straw. The grain is transferred into a trailer and brought to merchant or to storage The straw is bailed into square or round bails
Combine Harvester
Yield � Barley yield and harvest dates: Crop Tonnes/ha Harvest date Winter barley 7– 9 July Spring barley 6– 7 August
Storage � � � Grain is stored in a shed or silo which is free form vermin, insects and birds It must be water and frost proof A moisture content of 14% or less is required for storage as this prevents sprouting, fungal growth and reduced respiration in the seed Drying: If grain has too high of moisture, some farmers may have to dry the grain using gas or oil burners. Pickling: Feeding barley can be stored at a moisture content of 20% where propionic or sulfuric acid is added, this prevents microbial growth and pests.
Storage continued � � Aeration: grain of 20% moisture or less can be protected by passing dry air through the pile or bin with ducts and fans Canning: this uses special sealed, steel walled tower silos where the oxygen is sealed out. Anaerobic conditions prevent microorganisms.
Grain Quality Tests 1. Hand Test � The appearance, smell and feel of grain samples can be readily assessed and quality determined. 2. Moisture Test � Grain drying is very expensive. � Daily testing is done with a moisture meter which is standardised and set by comparing with samples dried in a special Brabender oven
Brabender oven
Tests continued 3. Screenings Test � This measures the % sample that passes through a 2. 5 mm sieve � This indicates the amount of light grains and chaff. Chaff is the seed coverings and other debris separated from the seed in threshing grain. 4. Protein Test � If grain is to be used for malt (malting) of beer or spirits, the crude protein % must be below 11. 5% � However for flour milling or animal feeding, a higher protein % is an advantage � Crude protein is measured by protein meters. � Protein meters are set and calibrated by reference to the standard chemical method known as the Kjeldahl method.
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