Suitability of breeders' plots for evaluation of spring harley

Abstract

Breeders' plots and drill strips were compared for efficiency of yield and quality evaluation using two barley cultivars. Breeders' plots were more variable than drill strips, contained more moisture, and more plant nutrients were absorbed from them. Yields were about 40% higher from breeders' plots, but relative yields of the two cultivars were not significantly altered. A discrepancy, of the same order as the difference between cultivars, was found between the yields of drill strips when estimated by two different harvesting methods.