Influence of genotype and nitrogen nutrition on grain size variability in spring malting barley

• Published in: Genetika (Beograd) Vol. 49; no. 3; pp. 1095 - 1104
• Main Authors: Stupar, Vladanka, Paunovic, Aleksandar, Madic, Milomirka, Knezevic, Desimir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• ISSN: 0534-0012; 1820-6069
• DOI: 10.2298/GENSR1703095S

Grain size is an important quality parameter of malting barley, which depends
on genotypes, environmental factors and their interactions. Also, grain size
is governed by the efficiency of assimilation and translocation of mineral
nutrients (mainly nitrogen) during grain endosperm development, which affects
grain yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate variability in the
percentage of three different grain size classes: class I (thickness ?2.5
mm), class II (2.2-2.5 mm) and class III (<2.2 mm) in spring malting barley
genotypes ('Novosadski 448', 'Novosadski 456', 'Dunavac' and 'Jadran'). The
experiment was conducted during three years (2012-2014) in a randomized
complete block design with three replications at different rates of nitrogen
fertilization (N1=45, N2=75, N3=105 and N4=135 kg ha-1). The presence of
different grain sizes in barley cultivars in all N fertilization treatments
after harvest was investigated. The proportion of the three grain classes was
dependent upon year, cultivar and nitrogen fertilization rate. The highest
percentage of class I grains was recorded in 'Novosadski 456', and that of
class II and class III grains in 'Dunavac'. The percentage of class I grains
increased significantly with increasing nitrogen rates up to 75 kg ha-1,
stagnated at 105 kg ha-1, and decreased significantly as the nitrogen level
was further increased to 135 kg ha-1. Class II and class III grain contents
decreased at nitrogen rates up to 105 kg ha-1, but increased significantly at
135 kg ha-1. The best response to favorable environmental conditions and the
highest percentage of class I grain in all years were recorded in ?Novosadski
456?. The most favorable effect on grain size in the studied spring malting
barley genotypes was exhibited by the nitrogen rate of 75 kg ha-1.