Research on the Farm (ROTF)

Background Information

Newer malting barley varieties have been released and are starting to account for many of the seeded acres.

Understanding the new varieties fertility requirements, specifically for nitrogen is crucial to optimize these varieties for yield and malt selection.

 Results

These are preliminary results. No significant differences in plant population were observed between nitrogen treatments. Only BN04 had all treatments with a plant density between the recommended target plant population values.

Significant yield differences were observed at two of the four sites or 50 per cent. In these trials, grain yields of the “normal” nitrogen rate were not significantly different to the highest yielding treatment. In this trial year, there was no economic gain due to yield for increasing the rate of nitrogen applied.

Grain quality for malt selection was assessed by CMBTC.

Two of the four sites had protein levels that were below 12.5 per cent, but only one site had significant protein differences between nitrogen treatment, with the highest nitrogen treatment having the highest protein level. Three out of four sites had moderate to severe pre-harvest sprouting, with RVA values below 120 RVU. Finally, one out of the four site had significant differences in kernel plumpness, with kernel plumpness increasing with decreased nitrogen rate. Although, the decreased plumpness of the higher nitrogen rate treatment was not below the minimum desired level of 90 per cent.