Grain yield and quality reached by small grains are variable and affected by many factors, primarily by genotype, agroecological conditions and the applied production technology. This investigation, carried out in the vicinity of Bijelo Polje (Montenegro), has been aimed to compare yield components of triticale and barley grown under the same agroecological conditions. The investigation lasted two years (2005-2007), at a weakly carbonate-supplied soil. Nitrogen fertilizer was dosed equally for both plant species (80, 100 and 120 kg ha-1 N). The obtained results showed that the highest values of number of grains per spike, 1000 grain mass, hectoliter mass, and grain yield of barley was reached with nitrogen dose of 100 kg ha-1N. The highest values of those parameters in triticale were obtained with nitrogen dose of 120 kg ha-1. The highest grain yield of barley (4298 kg ha-1) was given with 100 kg ha-1 of nitrogen, while in triticale the highest grain yield (6040 kg ha-1) was reached with nitrogen dose of 120 kg ha-1. The difference between barley and triticale was 1742 kg ha-1, and that was caused by a higher number of grains per spike in triticale. Having in mind these two crops are mainly used as animal feed, results of this study point to a proper choice of what crop ought to be grown in particular area, especially in households doing animal husbandry. Value of the investigated material, primarily of triticale, could be used through its production as a forage crop, but that value can also be improved by breeding process directed to increase grain yield and quality.

nitrogen; 1000 grain mass; hectoliter mass; barley; triticale; grain yield

Presentation: oral