EFFECT OF DELAYED HARVEST ON SHATTERING LOSSES IN OATS, BARLEY AND WHEAT

Abstract

Shattering losses were studied in representative shattering-resistant and shattering-susceptible cultivars of oats, barley and wheat. Losses were assessed after combine ripeness (14–15% kernel moisture) under rainfed conditions in oats and barley, and under both rainfed and irrigated conditions in wheat. Losses in the shattering-susceptible oat cv. Random were three to four times as great as the losses in the resistant cv. Kelsey. In 1979, losses of Random were 49.6% of yield during 1 mo after combine ripeness, compared to 12.4% for Kelsey. Shattering losses in barley tended to be mostly as broken spikes. Losses in the shattering-susceptible cv. Bonanza were 17.3% of yield, compared to 10.1% for the resistant cv. Galt during the 1-mo period after ripeness. Shattering losses were greater in irrigated than in rainfed wheat. Under both environments, loss of the shattering-susceptible cv. Sinton was double that of the resistant cv. Neepawa.