Genotype × Environment × Management (G×E×M) Impacts on Grain Yield and Quality of Spring Malting Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Abstract

Agronomic management and environment affect malting barley yield and quality. The objective of this study was to determine optimum agronomic practices (cultivar, fertilization, and seeding rate) for yield and quality of malting barley. A study was conducted during 2012–2014 in the region of Požarevac, southeastern Serbia, to evaluate the weather-dependent effect of seeding rate (S1=350, S2=450 and S3=550 seeds m–2) and nitrogen fertilization rate (N1=45, N2=75, N3=95 and N4=135 kg N ha–1) on the yield and quality of spring malting barley cultivars ('Novosadski 448', 'Novosadski 456', 'Dunavac' and 'Jadran'). Increasing seeding rate had a significantly negative effect on the quality, whereas the effect on yield was dependent upon weather during the growing season. Grain yield and grain protein content significantly increased with an increase in nitrogen rate up to 135 kg N ha–1. The optimum nitrogen rate for the average thousand-kernel weight and percentage of kernels ≥ 2.5mm in all years was 75 kg N ha–1, and for test weight 105 kg N ha–1. Germinative energy depended on genotype and weather conditions, whereas seeding and nitrogen rates had a significant effect only during the first year. Results indicated that seedingrates above 350 seeds m–2 and nitrogen rates above 75 kg N ha–1 led to substantial grain quality deterioration in barley cultivars.