THE INFLUENCE OF SEED SIZE ON RESULTS OF BARLEY YIELD TRIALS

Abstract

Two series of tests were conducted to determine the influence of seed size on barley yield trials. In the first series, four varieties and four seed categories were studied in seven tests over a period of 3 years. It was shown that large seed produced more tillers and greater yields on the average than small, medium, or bulk seed. It was also illustrated that the yield ranking of varieties can depend on the size of seed used. For example, the large seed of Olli, a low-yielding variety, outyielded the small seed of Husky, a highly productive variety, in these tests. Only in one of the seven tests was emergence reduced by use of small seed.Yields from large seed were compared with those from a combination of large and medium-sized kernels in the second series. In 20 tests with four varieties, over a 2-year period, large seed was more productive on the average than the combination. Striking differences were obtained in some tests. These results serve to emphasize the necessity of using seed of comparable quality in yield trials.