How to increase barley yield
High barley yields come from achieving the correct ear numbers, maintaining a healthy, green leaf canopy, increasing grain numbers per ear and grain size. A balanced crop nutrition program including all macro and micro nutrients is essential to help manage all of these components.
Barley grain yield is made up of three components, the most consistent of which is average grain weight. Most yield variation between sites and seasons is due to differences in grain number rather than grain size with a strong relationship between grain number per sq m and yield, but only a weak relationship between average grain weight and yield.
Macronutrient uptake in winter barley
Nitrogen and potassium are the nutrients required in the highest quantity for maintaining high barley yields.
The phosphate requirement, on the other hand, is similar to sulphur. It is during rapid spring growth that the demand for all macronutrients occurs.
Secondary nutrient and micronutrient uptake in barley
A balanced crop nutrition strategy is important and should also include secondary and micronutrients which are essential elements in achieving high yields. As with macronutrients, peak demand will occur during peak growth periods.
Transient deficiencies can occur when soil conditions are unfavourable towards nutrient availability (e.g. cold, wet ,dry). Knowing the nutrient content per tonne of production is useful and can be used together with yield levels as the basis for a full Nutrient Management Plan.
Spring barley yields about 20% less than winter barley. In spring barley, 30-35% of grain carbohydrate comes from the flag leaf and peduncle (stem), 25-45% from the ear and 20-45% from the rest of the plant.
Recommended Yara fertilisers for barley
Related articles
How to maintain a barley leaf canopy for longer
To achieve high barley yields, having established the correct canopy structure, it is important to maintain the green leaf area right through to the final grain filling period, capturing as much of the incident light as possible and converting it to yield...
How to increase barley tiller numbers
The number of tillers, leaves and shoots determines the size of the canopy and the final ear density at harvest. This ear density will be dependent on the total number of shoots produced and how many of these are fertile and survive.
Barley nutrient requirements by growth stage
Barley nutrient requirements vary depending on the crop growth stage. Find out which nutrients are most important at different growth stages.
How to increase barley grain size
Barley grain size is strongly influenced by plant nutrition particularly during the important grain filling period. Nitrogen, sulphur, boron, copper, manganese and zinc are particularly important.
Identify and diagnose barley nutrient deficiencies
Identify and diagnose if your barley is suffering from nutrient deficiencies and learn more about the symptoms and causes and how to control or correct the deficiency
How correct nutrient management can affect your barley
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