Variety and N Management Effects on Grain Yield and Quality of Winter Barley

Abstract

Winter malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a potential alternative crop for the dryland region of the Pacific Northwest. Nitrogen fertilization can increase grain yield but may also increase lodging and grain protein and reduce test weight. The objectives of this research were to determine the effect of N application rate and timing on grain yield and quality of winter feed and malting barley varieties. Field trials were conducted at Pendleton, OR (17 inches annual precipitation) and Moro, OR (12 inches annual precipitation). Nitrogen was applied at 0, 50, 100, or 150 lb N per acre in the fall and at 0 or 50 lb N per acre in the spring at Pendleton and at 0, 30, 60, or 90 lb N per acre in the fall and at 0 or 30 lb N per acre in the spring at Moro. Nitrogen fertilization increased grain yields at Pendleton to a maximum of 5,800 lb/acre in 2001 and 5,200 lb/acre in 2002 and at Moro to a maximum of 3,000 lb/acre. Nitrogen fertilization increased grain protein and reduced test weights. Yields of the advanced lines of malting barley were about 90% of the yields of feed type barley varieties. Spring N applications did not increase grain yield or protein more than fall N applications.