Suitability of breeders' plots and a small harvester for evaluation of spring barley

Abstract

In three experiments with spring barley cultivars yield differences between cultivars were different for plots and drilled strips, and in breeders' plots the differences depended on whether they were harvested with a large or small header. Breeders' plots yielded about 44% more than drilled strips or 8% less than drilled. Strips of path area were allowed for. A small harvester was less efficient than a large one. There was no significant seasonal variation in yield with ‘Zephyr’ barley in drilled strips, but in breeders' plots there were significant yield differences