Straw yields and nutrients of seventy-five Canadian barley cultivars

Abstract

Straw, grain, and total yields were compared among 32 two-row and 43 six-row barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars registered in eastern and western Canada, that were grown at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in 1991 and 1992. Straw nutrients was determined in 1991. Two-row cultivars yielded more straw and less grain than six-row cultivars (P < 0.05). The total yield (i.e., total aboveground dry matter) of two-row cultivars was approximately equal to that of six-row cultivars. Straw of two-row cultivars contained more cell contents but less hemicellulose, total-N, Ca, Na, Mn, and Zn than six-row cultivars straw (P < 0.05). Straw yields were not different between eastern and western cultivars regardless of whether they were two-row or six-row types. Eastern two-row cultivars showed higher grain yield and higher total yield than western two-row, and their straws contained less lignin and P than those of western cultivars. Straw of eastern six-row cultivars contained less Ca, but more Na and Mg than that of western six-row cultivars. Hulless barleys showed less grain yield and their straw contained less cellulose than covered barleys regardless of whether they were two-row or six-row types. Two-row hulless cultivars yielded more straw than two-row covered barleys. Straw of six-row hulless barleys contained more cell contents, total-N, and minerals (except for Na and Mn) than that of six-row covered barleys. Key words: Barley cultivars, straw, yield, crude protein, fibre, minerals