Barley is one of the most ancient cereals cultivated on our planet. It is able to grow in different climatic conditions, ripens quickly, and if properly stored does not lose its commercial qualities for a long time. There are varieties used for the production of cereals, varieties used for the production of malt in brewing, and fodder types of cereals. Today we will talk about Explorer spring barley, which belongs to the brewing grain fodder variety.
Description and characteristics of the Explorer variety
The plant belongs to the mid-season grain forage varieties, the growing season is 70-80 days. A variety of Nutans. Intermediate bush.The sheaths of the lower leaves are not pubescent; the auricles of the flanking leaves are strongly anthocyanin colored. The variety is short/medium length, the vagina has a strong waxy coating.
The ear is of medium density, cylindrical in shape, with no waxy coating. Short lower segment of the spike shaft with a slight bend. The awns are long, serrated and have weak anthocyanin coloration at the tips. The caryopsis is very large, the grain groove is without pubescence. Weight of 1000 grains is 45-55 grams. Recommended for sowing in the Central Black Earth region.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages of the Explorer variety, they note:
- high productivity;
- drought resistance;
- resistance to dusty and stone smut, powdery mildew.
The disadvantage of the variety is its susceptibility to helminthosporium. Explorer is resistant to ear drooping and lodging. It tolerates drought well; the seeds do not require treatment with growth stimulants before planting. The variety is characterized by intensive tillering.
Planting and caring for barley
The crop is sown from the first ten days of March to mid-May, depending on the region. The plant easily withstands return frosts. On heavy soils, the seed depth is 3-4 centimeters, and on light soils - 6-8 centimeters. They sow in a narrow row method, cross-seeding is used occasionally, since sowing units compact the soil, and costs additionally increase due to fuel consumption. Additionally, post-sowing soil compaction is used when there is a lack of moisture in the soil. Barley prefers a neutral type of soil (pH about 7); on acidic soils, liming is carried out before planting. Does not grow well in saline soil.
In autumn or before sowing, the soil is fertilized with mineral complexes.If Explorer barley is sown for malt production, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied is reduced. For grain feed barley, an increased level of nitrogen in the soil is required (nitrogen fertilizers affect the level of protein in grains). The feed version of barley contains 12-14% protein. Fertilize with urea or ammonium nitrate.
In addition to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied.
Superphosphate and potassium sulfate are used. Additional application of nitrogen fertilizers is carried out twice during the barley growing season.
Crop rotation is important for the plant. Explorer is sown in clean fallows, after green manure (wheat, buckwheat). Potatoes, beets, and corn are considered suitable predecessors. Grain-feed barley is sown after legumes and leguminous crops. This allows you to increase the amount of protein in the grains. Brewing grains are not sown after legumes. For a good harvest, barley is not sown in one area for more than 3 years in a row.
Diseases and pests
To protect seeds and sprouts from various types of infections, dressing is used. It allows you to protect sprouts and root systems from diseases at an early stage of the growing season. For preventive purposes and at the first signs of diseases, crops are treated with fungicides. Up to 3 applications per growing season are allowed.
To protect plants from pests, sowing dates, crop rotation are observed, and insecticides are used.
Cleaning and storage rules
Barley is harvested in dry sunny weather, on dried soil. The duration of the harvest season is 10-14 days. The moisture content of grains during harvesting should not exceed 20%.The grain is cleaned of impurities (grass residues, empty grains, lumps of soil). If necessary, dry in vacuum installations or with a stream of hot air.
Stored in elevators, in silos at a temperature of +9-11 ° C and humidity for malt grain - no more than 7-8%, for grain feed - no more than 12-14%. These indicators are optimal for long-term storage of cereal. When keeping barley in bulk, the temperature and humidity in different areas of the mound are periodically checked. The storage area for harvest should be dry and well ventilated.
Barley is an easy grain to grow and care for. The harvest, subject to storage standards, can remain of high quality for 1-3 years. The high yield, drought resistance and versatility (can be used for brewing and grain fodder) of the Explorer variety have made it popular among agricultural producers.
