INFLUENCE OF SOIL MOISTURE LEVELS AND PLANTING DATES ON YIELD AND CHEMICAL FRACTIONS IN TWO BARLEY CULTIVARS

Abstract

Two barley (H. vulgare L. emend Lam.) cultivars, Brock and Fergus, were seeded at four planting dates into plots maintained at three moisture levels at Ottawa in 1971. Increasing moisture levels resulted in increased grain and protein yield, increased ash content of the grain, and decreased grain protein content. Similarly, straw yields were increased as straw protein content decreased. Delayed seeding resulted in increased protein content, K, β-glucan and fibre but decreased yield, protein yield and ash content. The same treatments produced lower straw yield but higher protein and K content. Cultivar differences were observed for grain and protein yield, K, β-glucan, fibre and ash content. The treatments showed no significant effects on the P, ether extract or gross energy of the grain of either cultivar.