Effect of sowing date and nitrogen on dry matter and nitrogen partitioning in malting barley

Abstract

Variation in yield and quality of malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L. 'Triumph') are major problems for both producers and processors in the Manawatu, New Zealand. Climatic variation is partially responsible for this. However, crop management options may enable the variation to be reduced. The effects of sowing date and nitrogen (N) fertiliser on yield and quality of malting barley were evaluated over two seasons. In 1987/88, a grain yield of 7.0 t/ha was achieved with optimal management. Yields in 1988/89 were approximately half those in the previous season because of drier conditions during grain filling and a greater incidence of disease. N uptake was lower in the second season, but this did not result in lower grain N content and, therefore, improved quality because dry matter (DM) yield was also lower. Grain N concentrations were significantly higher in the late sowings in both seasons. Differences in grain N concentrations were related to the timing of N accumulation in the plant. Over all sowings, the contribution of post-anthesis N uptake relative to total grain N was negatively related to grain N concentration (r =-0.78). This indicated that late N uptake may not always be detrimental to quality as the processes of carbon and N accumulation are closely linked during grain filling. The maintenance of green leaf area by fungal disease control or timely irrigation is considered important for maintaining high grain quality as these prolong the accumulation of DM during grain filling.

Interaction Between Nitrogen and Chemical Plant Protection in Yield Formation of Cereal Crops

“…Therefore, it should not be surprising than even in a very dry 2006, some effects of fungicide application were recorded, but they were reduced due to drought, which in turn decreased uptake of nitrogen. Nitrogen stimulates grain developing process and plant protection extends the period of a photosynthesis (Dimmok & Gooding, 2002;Ruiter & Brooking, 1996). Pruszyński, 2002, accented stabilizing but not promoting yield character of plant protection.…”

Role of nitrogen and dry matter partitioning in determining the quality of malting barley

“…1). The poorest quality grain was invariably from the latesown treatments in Experiment 2, which suffered most from high soil water deficits and leaf rust during grain filling (de Ruiter & Brooking 1996). Clear relationships among the variables (Fig.…”

“…The Aorangi site was naturally fertile and the additional N applied was intended to decrease the grain quality further. The high fertility conditions at this site, as shown by the high mineral N levels in Year 1 (de Ruiter & Brooking 1996) and the additional N fertiliser treatments in Year 2, caused abnormally high screening (6A screen) levels, small grain size, and a high concentration of N in the grain (Fig. 1).…”

“…24 Grain N (mg/grain) stresses induced by disease or unfavourable environment (de Ruiter & Brooking 1996). Interactions with the environment are also important in the laying down of carbon and N. These factors affect the duration and rates of translocation of carbohydrate and N to the grain (Blacklow&Incoll 1981;Greenwood etal.…”

“…Crops were sampled for biomass and N content at anthesis and physiological maturity as described by de Ruiter & Brooking (1996). At each stage, four randomly-selected 0.25 m 2 quadrats were harvested from each plot, and total biomass and N content were measured.…”