Spring barley: varieties, terms of sowing, growing, economic importance

Spring barley is an important food, fodder and technical grain crop. This article will consider the main characteristics of this culture, as well as the features of its cultivation.

Economic importance

From the grain of spring barley, groats (pearl and barley) and flour are made. In its pure form, barley flour is not used, it, in an amount of 20-25%, is mixed with rye or wheat flour. Barley is also used for fattening pigs, and in areas where oats are not cultivated - for feeding horses. In addition, this culture is the raw material for the production of alcohol and beer. The barley seed contains: nitrogen-free extractives - 64.6%, protein - 12%, fiber - 5.5%, water - 13%, fat - 2.1% and 2.8% ash.

Origin of culture

Barley is one of the oldest agricultural crops. As the excavations show, he, together with wheat, was known to people even in the Stone Age. The Egyptians cultivated barley for 50 centuries before our era. In Greece, Italy and China it has been cultivated since prehistoric times. According to the excavation materials, in Central Asia barley was grown in irrigated agriculture for 4-5 thousand years before our era. On the territory of Moldova and Ukraine it was cultivated in the 3rd millennium BC. To date, the cultivation of spring barley is practiced all over the world.

Botanical description

The genus Hordeum L consists of three species of cultural and many species of wild barley. Cultural barley is classified according to the number of fruiting spikelets that are located on the joint of the stem. Consider these types:

• Hordeum vulgare . This species is called multi-row or ordinary. On each joint of the stem, three fertile spikelets are present, giving the grain. Depending on the degree of density of the ear, ordinary barley is divided into two subspecies: the regular 6-row (the ear is dense and thick, relatively short, in the cross-section it resembles a regular hexahedron) and the irregular 6-row (the ear is less dense, the rows with the grains are arranged incorrectly, the lateral Spikelets can go behind each other and lag behind the average for development, in the cross-section the ear forms a quadrangular figure).
• Hordeum distichon . This is a two-rowed barley, on the joint of the rod of which sits three spikelets (middle fruit-bearing, and laterals-infertile). According to the nature of the lateral spikelets, two-rowed barley is subdivided into two subspecies. In the first subspecies, on the lateral sterile spikelets, flower and glume scales are located, while in the second subspecies only the spikelets are located.
• Hordeum intermedium . This is an intermediate barley. On the ledge of the spike rod, it can develop 1-3 grains.

In our latitudes, distribution was only multi-row and two-row barley. The first is usually more early and drought-resistant. Multi-row and two-row barley is divided into many varieties. Classification can be based on such characteristics as awning, the character of the spikes, the color of the ear and grain, the filminess of the grain and the density of the ear.

Biological features

Spring barley adapts well to different soil and climatic conditions.

Temperature . The seeds of barley begin to germinate at a temperature of 1 degree. At the same time, the optimum temperature of germination is 20-22 degrees. Seedlings of this crop can withstand frosts up to 8 degrees below zero. Particularly sensitive to frost, the plant becomes in the period of flowering and maturation. During the filling period, the embryo of the seed may suffer even from 1.5 to 3 degrees below zero. Grain, subjected to extreme cold, can completely lose its germination. Resistance to cold differs depending on the grade of barley. Varieties of circumpolar regions have the greatest resistance.

High temperatures during the period when the grain is poured, barley tolerates better than oats and wheat. According to the researches of VR Zelensky, at a temperature of 38-40 degrees the stomata of the leaves of this culture lose the ability to close in 25-30 hours. In spring wheat this indicator is from 10 to 17 hours. The increased resistance of barley to high temperatures is due to its early ripeness and ability to intensive nutrition in the early stages of growth.

Humidity . According to drought resistance, spring barley is one of the leaders among the first group's breads. Its transpiration coefficient is about 400. In arid regions barley crops are often more voluminous than wheat harvests.

Resistance to air and soil drought can vary depending on the variety. To lack of moisture barley is most susceptible to the phase of exit into the tube. If during this period the soil contains insufficient water, the ear will not be able to develop properly, and the number of barren spikelets in it will increase.

The soil . As already mentioned, spring barley is successfully cultivated in different soil and climatic zones, which illustrates its adaptability to different types of soils. In terms of responsiveness to the fertility of the soil, barley is more like wheat than oats. For it the most fertile structural soils with a deep horizon of plowing are most acceptable. On sandy and sandy loamy soils this grain crop develops poorly. Also acidic peat and saline soils are unfavorable for barley. It develops well in soils with a pH of 6.8 to 7.5.

Vegetation . Depending on the variety, area of cultivation and climatic conditions, the period of vegetation of spring barley can range from 60 to 110 days.

Varieties

To date, varieties of spring barley is very much. We will consider several popular ones in order to get a general idea of the issue.

Viscount. The variety was created by the method of intraspecific hybridization. It has an erect bush with a hollow stalk of medium thickness. The weight of the grain is 0.042-0.054 grams. Vegetation period varies from 73 to 127 days depending on the region. The variety is considered to be grain-fed, however, under favorable conditions, it can be given a grain suitable for brewing. The average grain contains from 11 to 13% protein. Falsity does not exceed 10%. Extractability is 77.8-80.1%.

The variety is resistant to diseases and changes in soil and climatic conditions. Its potential yield reaches 70 quintals per hectare. Sow of this variety is produced at the first opportunity to enter the field. About 4.5 million seeds are sown per hectare. If sowing is late, and spring promises to be arid, then this figure is increased by 1 million.

Vakula. The variety is highly adaptable to changes in growing conditions. Has a lower photoperiodic sensitivity, which ensures a good harvest, regardless of the time of arrival of spring and the specifics of a particular latitude. The mass of the grain can vary from 0.046 to 0.052 g. With abundant moisture availability, the mass reaches 0.060 g. The variety has a high energy of grain growth, low friability and low protein content. The latter feature allows you to refer it to breweries. The rate of sowing can vary from 2 to 3 million seeds per 1 hectare. Suspended crops in arid conditions do not produce large seeds of high quality. The yield of Vakula variety can range from 50 to 90 quintals per hectare of land.

Helios. Barley of this variety is similar in its characteristics to the Vakula variety. However, in comparison with it, it has higher grain qualities. It is better to bush and give a higher yield in conditions of good moisture supply. The variety is intended for intensive cultivation with reduced rates of seed sowing. The grain weight may be from 0.048 to 0.050 grams. The period of vegetation varies in a very narrow range - 90-93 days. The seeding rate is 3.7-4.16 million seeds per 1 hectare. The yield of such barley can reach 89 c / ha.

Duncan. Spring barley of this variety was bred in Canada and spread all over the world due to excellent indicators of yield, germination and germination energy. Due to the strong stalk the barley of this variety is resistant to stagnation and lodging. The weight of one grain is on average 0.049 g. The yield of a variety reaches 80 quintals per hectare. And this despite the fact that it has a very low seeding rate - 2-2.2 million seeds per hectare. The last indicator is due to the fact that the culture does not develop well in the condensed state.

Priazovsky 9 . The sowing barley of this variety is included in the list of valuable varieties of the Russian Federation. It is characterized by high drought resistance and good ductility. The vegetative period of such barley is 80-82 days. Its straw has a high strength and resistance to lodging. The variety is resistant to the influence of powdery mildew, dwarf rust and all kinds of pests. It is best suited for cultivation in the Central Black Earth, North Caucasus and Middle Volga regions of the Russian Federation. The yield of barley of this type is 42-63 centners per hectare. The weight of one grain can fluctuate within 0,045-0,055 grams.

Mamluk . This variety has a high photoperiodic sensitivity, due to which it rapidly develops at the initial stages of growth. The resistance to lodging in this variety is not as high as that of the previous one, nevertheless, it is included in the list of valuable varieties of the Russian Federation. Most of the grain goes to forage, however, the processing of cereals is also common. The variety has moderate resistance to drought and, with respect to agricultural practices, is practically not affected by disease. Mamluk enjoys the greatest popularity in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories of the Russian Federation. The yield of the variety can reach 68 centners per hectare. The productivity of spring barley and yield is higher the earlier it is sown. The rate of sowing varies from 4.5 to 5 million grains per hectare. If the timing of sowing spring barley is not sustained, it should be increased by one million.

Place in the rotation

The best predecessor for spring barley are such cultivated crops as potatoes, corn and sugar beets. A good option is also winter crops, going on a clean fertilized couple. Barley is also sown after spring wheat, if it was placed on a clean pair or a layer of perennial grasses. Barley, sown on the place of row crops, is particularly suitable for brewing. He gives a high yield and a quality grain, in which there is a lot of starch.

For food tasks or for the feed of cattle, barley is also planted after legumes that accumulate nitrogen in the soil. In sugar beet areas it is often sown in the beet's place. According to research, the highest yield of barley is observed when it is preceded (in descending order): potatoes, corn, flax and beet, spring wheat, barley.

Since barley is an early ripening culture, it is considered a good predecessor for spring crops, and in some regions also for winter crops. Thanks to early cleaning, it is also appreciated as a cover crop and surpasses in this regard other spring grain cereals.

Fertilizers

Spring barley responds well to the introduction of fertilizers into the soil. The formation of 100 kilograms of grain requires up to 2.5-3 kg of nitrogen, 2-2.4 kg of potassium and 1.1-1.2 kg of phosphorus. At the initial stages of development, the culture consumes a small amount of fertilizers. In the period of "shoots-bushing" it consumes about half of phosphorus, half of nitrogen and three quarters of potassium from the total mass of fertilizers used during the growing season.

The introduction of manure directly under barley is practiced in the northern regions, where it is the main grain crop. In other regions, its ability to benefit from the effects of manure is used - they are sown with a second crop.

Such fertilizers for spring barley, like phosphorus and potassium, are brought under the chilly plowing. Nitrogen is better to make with top dressing for pre-sowing cultivation. Potassium and phosphorus improve the brewing quality of the crop. The best result, especially in the western regions of cultivation, barley gives with top-dressing full mineral fertilizers.

The proportion of a component of the fertilizer may depend on the type of soil on which the crop is cultivated. On podzolic gray and degraded black soils, as well as in the zone of chestnut soils, barley reacts strongly to phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers. On drained swampy soils, potassium produces the greatest results. On normal chernozems, the greatest effect can be achieved with the use of phosphorus-potassium complexes.

The fertilizer dose, as well as its kind, depends on soil characteristics, planned yield and nutrient utilization factor. For the normal growth of culture, in addition to the above fertilizers, it is also necessary to use a number of microfertilizers, based on boron, manganese, zinc, copper, molybdenum and so on. The lack of microelements in the soil can lead to plant diseases, metabolic disorders and a significant reduction in yield.

On drained peat soils, copper sulphate and pyritic cake are added as fertilizers. It is worth noting that the consequences of using copper fertilizers affect the yield only after a few years.

Soil cultivation

The culture favorably grows in fields with deep autumn plowing. The depth of plowing can reach up to 30 cm. On soddy-podzolic soils, a special effect can be achieved by deepening the plow layer with simultaneous application of manure and mineral fertilizers. Snow and thawed water on the sites intended for sowing spring barley are retained in the same way as in areas under spring wheat. Spring tillage may include harrowing or dredging and cultivation with simultaneous harrowing.

Now consider the cultivation of spring barley in stages.

Seed preparation

Large seeds of barley are used for sowing. They have high energy of germination, give heap shoots and grow well. To increase the yield, the seeds are treated by air-heating method. Also, they are etched from the main diseases and pests in a dry or semi-dry way.

Sowing calendar

Spring barley refers to grain crops with early sowing periods. At a delay with crop for a week productivity can decrease on 10-40%, depending on region. With early sowing, barley produces large grains with a minimum content of films and stubborn shoots.

As a rule, spring barley is sown together with spring wheat or after it. In Siberia and northern Kazakhstan, the barley seeding calendar begins on May 15-25, depending on the year. In the Crimea, the Kuban and Central Asia, February crops are practiced. Thus, the timing of sowing of spring barley may radically differ and depend on the specifics of the region.

Method of sowing

Sowing of spring barley by cross and narrow-row way is the most effective. As practice shows, these methods, compared to ordinary ordinary planting, yield about 15% more harvest.

Sowing rates

The rates of seeding depend on the area of cultivation of barley. For example, in the Far East, they range from 1.6 to 2 centners per hectare (about 4.5 million germinated seeds), and in the North Caucasus - 1.3-1.6 centners per hectare (about 3.5-4, 5 million seeds). Thus, the seeding rates can fluctuate over a fairly wide range, depending on the agrotechnical and soil conditions of the region. In the thickened crops, the protein content of the grains is reduced. This should be taken into account if the culture is grown for brewing.

Depth of sowing

On clayey heavy soils, seeds are sown to a depth of not more than 4 cm, and on light sandy loams - no more than 6 cm. In conditions of lack of atmospheric precipitation, the depth of sowing can increase to 8 cm. The seeded seeds swell slowly, so they must necessarily be embedded in the moist layer of the earth .

Care of crops

In order for the shoots to be harmonious, in the dry areas, post-sowing is carried out simultaneously with light harrowing. In wet areas, harrowing on shoots is used. These measures allow us to destroy the weeds, loosen the soil and increase the access of oxygen to the roots. If, after heavy rain, a crust has formed on the ground, and seedlings have not yet appeared, it is destroyed by harrows.

Harvest

Barley ripens together. With the onset of ripeness, the spike acquires brittleness, and the grain easily falls off. Two-phase cleaning begins approximately from the middle of wax ripeness, and single-phase cleaning - at full ripeness, in the accelerated mode.

Brewing barley: features

The characteristics of spring barley used in brewing, make special demands. For brewing, two-row varieties of barley, which give a large, even and evenly sprouting grain, are best suited. Grain for brewing should be large (weight approximately 0.040-0.050 g) and thin-filmed, have straw-yellow color, contain not less than 78% of starch and have high germination energy (not less than 95%).

Previously, it was believed that only barley grain is suitable for brewing beer, the protein content of which is minimal. However, later it was found that everything depends not on the number of proteins, but on their quality. According to the research, the best results can be achieved with the use of barley containing high-molecular proteins (globulins and prolamins), which are practically insoluble in water. Badly affect the production of beer non-protein nitrogen, as well as nitrogen albumins. The most valuable precursors for such barley are winter cereals, corn, potatoes, beets and flax.

When barley is cultivated for the brewing industry, the best results can be achieved with early planting times. This makes it possible to obtain a high yield of aligned, large grains with a high content of starch and reduced filminess.

In the cultivation of such grains the most productive methods of sowing are also narrow-row and cross-over. Post-sowing planting has a positive effect on crop quality. And when forming a crust or strong compaction of soil, harrowing is used. Thanks to these techniques, the stem is homogeneous, and the grain is leveled. In crops of brewing barley, it is not advisable to resort to fitting, since in this case the grain can turn out to be smaller and with lowered characteristics.

The quality and quality of brewing barley is greatly influenced by the way and the time of harvesting. The single-phase cleaning performed during the full ripeness, when the moisture content of the grain is not more than 22%, is most effective. However, in southern regions, two-phase cleaning is often used. If the barley has stood up, the amount of starch in the grain falls, since increased respiration begins. Low air temperature and excessive moisture during a full ripeness may adversely affect the quality of late harvest seeds. After threshing, the grain is carefully sorted and dried, which makes it possible to preserve its light color and provide high energy of germination.