Effect of zinc application on quality traits of barley in semi arid zones of Turkey

Abstract

Field experiments were carried out to study effects of zinc application on quality traits of barley in 1994–1996. The treatments were applied as 0 and 23 kg/ha of zinc sulphate and incorporated into soil before sowing. The experimental design was split plot with four replications. Barley genotypes responded differently to zinc application in relation to thousand grains weight, protein content and starch content. A significant increase was determined for thousand grain weight in cultivars Tokak 157/37 and Cumhuriyet 50, for protein content in Orza, Bülbül 89 and Anadolu 86, for starch content in Karatay 94 and Cumhuriyet 50, while a significant decrease has been found for thousand grain weight in Karatay 94 and Obruk 86 and for protein content in Karatay 94, Cumhuriyet 50 and Tarm 92. When feeding and malting quality are considered together, Karatay 94 and Cumhuriyet 50 are the most suitable cultivars for growing in zinc-applied soils of semi arid areas.