A comparison of spring barley grown in England and in Scotland. 1. Shoot apex development

Abstract

SummaryAn analysis of development of Golden Promise and Maris Mink spring barley grown in England and in Scotland was made in 1976 and 1977. In both seasons the differences between varieties at a site were small. Rates of leaf emergence and primordium production and the number of primordia formed and the number which died were almost the same at both sites in 1976. In 1977 both leaf emergence and ear initiation started later in Scotland and the rates of leaf emergence and spikelet initiation were slower. Fewer spikelet primordia were formed in Scotland than in England in 1977 but a higher proportion survived to produce potentially fertile florets. Tillers emerged at the same leaf stage of the main shoot and the frequency of tillering differed at some tiller positions between England and Scotland, but the number of tillers produced was similar at both sites.These results show that in Scotland the effect of longer photoperiod which enhances the rate of leaf emergence and primordium production compensates for the lower temperature which slows down these processes. The lower temperature in Scotland particularly in 1977 during the period of spikelet primordium death increased the proportion of spikelets that survived.