Variation for Grain Fill Characteristics in Northern-Adapted Spring Barley Cultivars

Abstract

Rate and duration of grain fill determine maturity and grain yield in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars. We assessed grain fill characteristics and agronomic performance of northern-adapted spring barley cultivars for two years at Palmer and Fairbanks, Alaska. Rapid grain fill rate was associated with high kernel weight, but not with grain fill duration. Cultivars with longer grain fill duration had higher kernel weights. Selection for shorter grain fill duration would not be effective in reducing GDD to ripe maturity. Environmental conditions that increased grain fill rate also decreased grain fill duration. The superior performance of newly developed, improved cultivars, relative to ‘Olli’, was due to both faster grain fill rate and shorter grain fill duration. We recommend selection for both early ripe maturity and delayed time to heading to develop early-maturing, high-yielding barley cultivars.

Key Words:

• growing degree days
• phenology
• grain yield
• yield components