Grain weight and size are among the main traits used for characterizing a barley variety in order to recommend it for malt industry. Moreover, the first evaluated trait to know the yield destination is the grain weight which is determined by the grain length and width. In the malt industry, the grain size is an important characteristic having into account the fact that the potential extract is proportional to the size of the grain. This trait depends on genotypes, environment and crop technology, as well as on the interactions between these factors. The objective of this paper has been the assessment of the grain weight (expressed through the thousand grain weight - TGW) and the grain size fractions (2.8 mm, 2.5 mm, and 2.2 mm), as well as the yield potential for the Romanian winter barley genotypes in order to establish further usage. In this respect, twenty-five winter barley genotypes created at National Agriculture Research and Development Institute Fundulea were investigated in 2017-2018 under two different sowing densities (350 grains/m2 and 500 grains/m2). Barley samples have been analyzed for grain weight using Contador (electronic seeds counter) and screening machine Sortimat for sieving fractions at different grain size (2.8 mm, 2.5 mm, and 2.2 mm). Obtained data has been statistically analyzed by ANOVA, as well as by correlation and regression analyses. Analyses of variance revealed a significant variation of TGW and grain size between genotype and sowing density. According to the 20th European Brewery Convention (EBC) of evaluation malting barley varieties, the requested minimum value of TGW for malt industry is 42 g and more than 80% of grains have to remain on the sieves of 2.8 mm and 2.5 mm. Under low sowing density (350 grains/m2) the values of TGW ranged between 48.1 and 55 grams, while for the second sowing density (500 grains/m2) the values ranged between 41.4 and 50.2 grams. The grain size fraction of 2.8 mm showed a better proportion value (97.2%) under low sowing density comparing with the value of the same grain size fraction obtained under high sowing density (92.8%). All tested winter barley genotypes registered an increased yield under low sowing density (5804 - 9304 kg/ha) comparing with the yield obtained at high sowing density (4074 - 6978 kg/ha).

winter barley, sowing density, grain weight, grain size, yield.

field crops and pastures

Presentation: poster