Atkins, I. M.

Hodges, R. J.

English

Texas A&amp;M Repository

SMALL GRAIN GROWING AREAS AND TEST LOCATIONSBarley variety recommendationsin this leaflet are made on thebasis of results obtained in testsat locations shown on this map.!{EY TO LOCATIONS ON MAP1. Stratford 9. Abilene 17. College Station2. Spearman 10. Stephenville 18. Lockhart3. Bushland 11. Sherman °19. Prairie View4. Hereford 12. Greenville 20. Beeville5. Floydada 13. Denton 21. Winter Haven6. Spur 14. McGregor 22. Beaumont7. Chillicothe 15. Temple 23. Mount Pleasant8. Iowa Park 16. ComfortTable 1. Recommended Barley VarietiesRecommended Acceptable Recommended Acceptable Recommended AcceptableArea 2all dingWinteKearneyTexan2Area 1Fall seedingKearney Cordova1Reno Harbine1Ward Rogers1Spring s edingCordova WintexCordovaHarbinRogerWardSpring seedingCordovalLess winter-hardy than other varieties listed.4Based on farm observations; no data available.Area 3Fall seedingCordova Texan2Rogers WintexHarbineSpring seedingNot recommendedArea 4:Fall eedingCordova Texan2Rogers Harbine3Spring seedingot recommended2Sa tisfactory but seed supplies limited.Area 5Fall seedingGoliad CordovaTexan2Spring seedingot recommendedArea 6Fall eedingCordova Texan9RogersHarbineSpring seedingot recommendedArea 7Fall seedingCordova Texan2Arivat43Edwardf; Plateau area only.Growing Better Crops Of BarleyR. J. HODGES AND I. M. ATKINS·Barley ranks well below wheat and oats in acreageand farm value in Texas, but it has a dual value togrowers as a grain crop and as a winter pasture forIi estock. Its use a a winter pa ture crop ha expandedconsiderably in recent years. Large acreages are grownexclusively for winter pasture and grazed to maturity.All barley grown for grain in Texas is u ed for live-stock feed.AdaptatioNBarley thrives under a wide range of climatic con-ditions and on many oil types. It is not well adaptedto high rainfall, humid areas and should not be seededon poorly drained soils. It is one of the most tolerantcrops for growing on irrigated soils of high salt concen-tration, but performs best on well-drained, fertile soilsin a cool climate. Barley is grown in nearly all paitsof the State, but most of the grain is produced in orthand orth Central Texas. The acreage sown in SouthTexas is primarily for grazing and only small acreagesare harvested to supply seed needs.UsesIn Texas, practically all the grain from barley isused as livestock feed. The grain is desirable for fatten-ing hogs or steers and as a part of the maintenanceration for breeding stock. It almost equals corn orgrain sorghum in total feeding value, being slightlyhigher in protein, a h and crude fiber but lower in nitro-gen-free extract and productive energy per 100 poundsof feed. Livestock producers often use barley for win.ter pasture or green.chop feeding. At present, none ofthe grain produced in Texas is used for brewing pur·po es.*Respectively, extension agronomist and agronomist in charge of smallgrain research, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and CropsResearch Division, Agricultural Research Service, u. S. Departmentof Agriculture, College Station.4eultureThe cultural practice for barley are similar tothose required for other mall grains. well-adaptedvariet hould be elected, and it hould be grown on fer-tile, well-drained land with proper attention to eedbedpreparation, weed control and adequate fertilization. Soiltests should be made to determine fertilizer need .The seedbed should be firm and level. Any nece -sary exten ive preparation, such as breaking or disking~should take place several months before seeding time.Seedbeds may be inexpensively prepared on cotton landby disking or harrowing. Seeding should be done witha drill to insure a uniform rate and depth. In WestTexas, the wide row, deep-furrow drills are commonlyused. They can operate in trashy seedbeds, and thiscrop residue combined with deep seeding provides pro-tection from soil blowing and low temperatures. Thedeep furrows also catch moisture received as now.SeediHp Jeates and [JafesThe rate and date of seeding varies greatly in theState due to the great range in climatic conditions anduses of the crop.Barley may be either fall or spring sown in Area l.Although fall seeding is somewhat hazardous, it is usual-ly worth the risk because fall sown barley may providean income from winter pasture, and it usually out yieldsspring-sown barley. In all other areas, fall seeding isrecommended and spring seeding should be practicedonly in an emergency.grazing Rar/euBarley is valuable for early fall and winter grazing.It is used almost exclusively for this purpose in SouthTexas. Barley grows off more rapidly than oats orwheat and produces a higher tonnage during the fallmonth. Dairy farmers and others desiring early graz-ing may seed a portion of their acreage to barley and5depend upon oats or wheat for later grazing. Livestockhould not have access to oats and barley at the sametime, since barley is Ie s palatable.When grown for grain and pasture, barley shouldbe grazed during the fall to keep down top growth andles en the danger of winter killing. The intermediatewinter-type varieties, uch as Cordova, and upright grow-ing pring-type varietie , such a Goliad, are more easilyovergrazed than pro trate-growing winter types such asKearney. Upright-growing varieties should reach aheight of 8 inches before being grazed, and they shouldbe grazed no closer than 4 inches. Overgrazing serious-ly reduces the top and root growth of a plant and maylower yield of forage and grain. When moisture isadequate, nitrogen applied as a topdressing may increaseforage production.Late grazing usually reduces grain yields. General-ly, if the crop is to be harvested for grain, it should notbe grazed after March 1 in Areas 1 and 2, February 15jn Areas 3 and 6; and February 1 in Areas 4, 5 and 7.Livestock should not graze fields that are excessivelywet.Table 2. Yields of Fall vs. Spring-seeded Wintex Barley atDenton and AmarilloYield of Grain, BushelsDentonDrylandAmarilloFall SpringFall Spring Dryland Irrigated Dryland Irrigated26.3 20.2 32.9 41.2 19.2 28.3Table 3. Rates and Dates for Seeding BarleyRate-pounds Dateper acreDry- Irri. Fall Spring seedingland gated seedingArea 1 48 72 Sept. 15 Mar. 12 60 72 Oct. 1 Feb. 13 72 Oct. 15 Feb. 14 72 Oct. 15 Not recommended5 72 Nov. 1 Not recommended6 72 Oct. 15 Not recommended7 72 72 Oct. 15 Not recommended6VarietiesVarieties of barle grown in Texa are di ided intothree t pes ba ed on their eedling growth habit: truewinter type , intermediate winter t pe and true pringt pe. True winter-type varietie, uch as Kearney andWard, behave luuch a winter wheat, producing pro trateseedling plants with narrow leave. The e varietienormally do not head unless subj ected to cold weather,hence are not adapted to spring seeding. These varietiesare the most cold resistant of barley varieties. orneapproach the hardiness of winter wheat.The intermediate winter-type varietie, uch as Cor-dova, differ from true winter-types in producing broaderleaves which grow more upright. These varieties aresufficiently cold resistant for all of Texas, except Area1, and even in that area, they survive most years. Be-cause of their more upright and vigorous seedlinggrowth habit, they are best suited to grain and forageproduction in Texas than other types.True spring-type varieties produce erect broad-leaved seedling plants which are not sufficiently coldresistant for growing from fall seeding, except in Area5 and to a lesser extent in Areas 4 and 7. This type maybe spring sown in Area 1, but, in most seasons, doesnot yield as well as intermediate winter-types even underthese conditions. Goliad is the only spring-type varietyrecommended in outh Texas. Arivat has been grownsucce sfully in the El Paso area but no data are available.Barley arletle may also be grouped b headt pe . II commercial varieties no grown in the tateha e ix row of seed on the side of the central rachisor tern. Other type of barley may be seen in the ac-companying photograph.brief description of the common commercial va-rietie appears in Table 4.ZJiseasesDiseases usually are not serious factors in barleygrain production. In South Texas, where humidity ishigh and frequent showers occur, several diseases mayinfluence the value of the crop for winter pasture andprevent grain production. Barley often matures earlyenough in the major grain-producing areas to escapedamage from foliage diseases. For detailed informationon diseases, farmers should contact their local countya/ jricultural agent.Seed ~reatJlfelltChemical seed treatments give considerable protec-t) on to young seedlings and better assurance of satis-factory stands. Black loose smut, covered smut andVarieties and types of barley. Left toright, hooded, awnless, six-row short-awned, awned club, common six-rowbarley and common 2-row' barley.7The smooth or barbless awns of Cor-dova are shown, left and right, in con-trast to the barbed or rough awns ofWintex, center.Kearney center, a very cold resistantvariety, survived low temperatures in1951 at Bushland. Reno and Ward, onleft and right were killed.8barley stripe may be controlled with recommended fungi-cide treatments, when applied according to manufac-turers' directions. Most seed-cleaning plants have equip-ment for seed treating or it may be carried out on thefarm. Fungicides are poisonous and persons usingthem should take necessary preca"!ltions and use protec-tive equipment to prevent inhaling the chemicals. Treat-ed grain never should be fed to animals.A new water-soak method has been devised forcontrolling brown loose smut. The method can be usedeconomically in treating small lots of seed for seed pro-duction purposes. This consists of soaking the infectedseed in water for 2 to 6 hours, and then holding thesoaked seed for 34 to 38 hours in an air-tight container,such as an oil drum with an air-tight cover. The addi-tion of Chlorox or Purex at the rate of 1 pint to 30gallons of water reduces undesirable odors and bacterialgrowth. The grain must be dried immediately to pre-vent sprouting and to permit seeding with a drill. Afterthe grain is dry, it can be treated with recommendedorganic mercurial fungicide before planting.JnsectsOf the many insects seriously damaging barley, themost serious usually is the greenbug (aphid). This in-sect prefers barley to other grains. Other aphids mayattack barley but ordinarily their damage is not serious.Greenbugs cause a characteristic yellowing or reddeningof the leaf tissue where they feed. Under favorable con-ditions for greenbug reproduction, entire plants may diecausing small-to-large yellow or dead areas in fields.The variety, Kearney, has considerable resistance to thegreenbug. If greenbugs or other insects are found indamaging numbers, farmers should contact their countyagricultural agent for control measures. The economicsof an insecticidal control program must be considered,since it may not be practical to spend the amount re-quired to control a greenbug infestation.9

Growing Better Crops of Barley.

Texas A&M University


SMALL GRAIN GROWING AREAS AND TEST LOCATIONS
Barley variety recommendations
in this leaflet are made on the
basis of results obtained in tests
at locations shown on this map.
!{EY TO LOCATIONS ON MAP
1. Stratford 9. Abilene 17. College Station
2. Spearman 10. Stephenville 18. Lockhart
3. Bushland 11. Sherman °19. Prairie View
4. Hereford 12. Greenville 20. Beeville
5. Floydada 13. Denton 21. Winter Haven
6. Spur 14. McGregor 22. Beaumont
7. Chillicothe 15. Temple 23. Mount Pleasant
8. Iowa Park 16. Comfort
Table 1. Recommended Barley Varieties
Recommended Acceptable Recommended Acceptable Recommended Acceptable
Area 2
all ding
Winte
Kearney
Texan2
Area 1
Fall seeding
Kearney Cordova1
Reno Harbine1
Ward Rogers1
Spring s eding
Cordova Wintex
Cordova
Harbin
Roger
Ward
Spring seeding
Cordova
lLess winter-hardy than other varieties listed.
4Based on farm observations; no data available.
Area 3
Fall seeding
Cordova Texan2
Rogers Wintex
Harbine
Spring seeding
Not recommended
Area 4:
Fall eeding
Cordova Texan2
Rogers Harbine3
Spring seeding
ot recommended
2Sa tisfactory but seed supplies limited.
Area 5
Fall seeding
Goliad Cordova
Texan2
Spring seeding
ot recommended
Area 6
Fall eeding
Cordova Texan9
Rogers
Harbine
Spring seeding
ot recommended
Area 7
Fall seeding
Cordova Texan2
Arivat4
3Edwardf; Plateau area only.
Growing Better Crops Of Barley
R. J. HODGES AND I. M. ATKINS·
Barley ranks well below wheat and oats in acreage
and farm value in Texas, but it has a dual value to
growers as a grain crop and as a winter pasture for
Ii estock. Its use a a winter pa ture crop ha expanded
considerably in recent years. Large acreages are grown
exclusively for winter pasture and grazed to maturity.
All barley grown for grain in Texas is u ed for live-
stock feed.
AdaptatioN
Barley thrives under a wide range of climatic con-
ditions and on many oil types. It is not well adapted
to high rainfall, humid areas and should not be seeded
on poorly drained soils. It is one of the most tolerant
crops for growing on irrigated soils of high salt concen-
tration, but performs best on well-drained, fertile soils
in a cool climate. Barley is grown in nearly all paits
of the State, but most of the grain is produced in orth
and orth Central Texas. The acreage sown in South
Texas is primarily for grazing and only small acreages
are harvested to supply seed needs.
Uses
In Texas, practically all the grain from barley is
used as livestock feed. The grain is desirable for fatten-
ing hogs or steers and as a part of the maintenance
ration for breeding stock. It almost equals corn or
grain sorghum in total feeding value, being slightly
higher in protein, a h and crude fiber but lower in nitro-
gen-free extract and productive energy per 100 pounds
of feed. Livestock producers often use barley for win.
ter pasture or green.chop feeding. At present, none of
the grain produced in Texas is used for brewing pur·
po es.
*Respectively, extension agronomist and agronomist in charge of small
grain research, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and Crops
Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, u. S. Department
of Agriculture, College Station.
4
eulture
The cultural practice for barley are similar to
those required for other mall grains. well-adapted
variet hould be elected, and it hould be grown on fer-
tile, well-drained land with proper attention to eedbed
preparation, weed control and adequate fertilization. Soil
tests should be made to determine fertilizer need .
The seedbed should be firm and level. Any nece -
sary exten ive preparation, such as breaking or disking~
should take place several months before seeding time.
Seedbeds may be inexpensively prepared on cotton land
by disking or harrowing. Seeding should be done with
a drill to insure a uniform rate and depth. In West
Texas, the wide row, deep-furrow drills are commonly
used. They can operate in trashy seedbeds, and this
crop residue combined with deep seeding provides pro-
tection from soil blowing and low temperatures. The
deep furrows also catch moisture received as now.
SeediHp Jeates and [Jafes
The rate and date of seeding varies greatly in the
State due to the great range in climatic conditions and
uses of the crop.
Barley may be either fall or spring sown in Area l.
Although fall seeding is somewhat hazardous, it is usual-
ly worth the risk because fall sown barley may provide
an income from winter pasture, and it usually out yields
spring-sown barley. In all other areas, fall seeding is
recommended and spring seeding should be practiced
only in an emergency.
grazing Rar/eu
Barley is valuable for early fall and winter grazing.
It is used almost exclusively for this purpose in South
Texas. Barley grows off more rapidly than oats or
wheat and produces a higher tonnage during the fall
month. Dairy farmers and others desiring early graz-
ing may seed a portion of their acreage to barley and
5
depend upon oats or wheat for later grazing. Livestock
hould not have access to oats and barley at the same
time, since barley is Ie s palatable.
When grown for grain and pasture, barley should
be grazed during the fall to keep down top growth and
les en the danger of winter killing. The intermediate
winter-type varieties, uch as Cordova, and upright grow-
ing pring-type varietie , such a Goliad, are more easily
overgrazed than pro trate-growing winter types such as
Kearney. Upright-growing varieties should reach a
height of 8 inches before being grazed, and they should
be grazed no closer than 4 inches. Overgrazing serious-
ly reduces the top and root growth of a plant and may
lower yield of forage and grain. When moisture is
adequate, nitrogen applied as a topdressing may increase
forage production.
Late grazing usually reduces grain yields. General-
ly, if the crop is to be harvested for grain, it should not
be grazed after March 1 in Areas 1 and 2, February 15
jn Areas 3 and 6; and February 1 in Areas 4, 5 and 7.
Livestock should not graze fields that are excessively
wet.
Table 2. Yields of Fall vs. Spring-seeded Wintex Barley at
Denton and Amarillo
Yield of Grain, Bushels
Denton
Dryland
Amarillo
Fall Spring
Fall Spring Dryland Irrigated Dryland Irrigated
26.3 20.2 32.9 41.2 19.2 28.3
Table 3. Rates and Dates for Seeding Barley
Rate-pounds Dateper acre
Dry- Irri. Fall Spring seedingland gated seeding
Area 1 48 72 Sept. 15 Mar. 1
2 60 72 Oct. 1 Feb. 1
3 72 Oct. 15 Feb. 1
4 72 Oct. 15 Not recommended
5 72 Nov. 1 Not recommended
6 72 Oct. 15 Not recommended
7 72 72 Oct. 15 Not recommended
6
Varieties
Varieties of barle grown in Texa are di ided into
three t pes ba ed on their eedling growth habit: true
winter type , intermediate winter t pe and true pring
t pe. True winter-type varietie, uch as Kearney and
Ward, behave luuch a winter wheat, producing pro trate
seedling plants with narrow leave. The e varietie
normally do not head unless subj ected to cold weather,
hence are not adapted to spring seeding. These varieties
are the most cold resistant of barley varieties. orne
approach the hardiness of winter wheat.
The intermediate winter-type varietie, uch as Cor-
dova, differ from true winter-types in producing broader
leaves which grow more upright. These varieties are
sufficiently cold resistant for all of Texas, except Area
1, and even in that area, they survive most years. Be-
cause of their more upright and vigorous seedling
growth habit, they are best suited to grain and forage
production in Texas than other types.
True spring-type varieties produce erect broad-
leaved seedling plants which are not sufficiently cold
resistant for growing from fall seeding, except in Area
5 and to a lesser extent in Areas 4 and 7. This type may
be spring sown in Area 1, but, in most seasons, does
not yield as well as intermediate winter-types even under
these conditions. Goliad is the only spring-type variety
recommended in outh Texas. Arivat has been grown
succe sfully in the El Paso area but no data are available.
Barley arletle may also be grouped b head
t pe . II commercial varieties no grown in the tate
ha e ix row of seed on the side of the central rachis
or tern. Other type of barley may be seen in the ac-
companying photograph.
brief description of the common commercial va-
rietie appears in Table 4.
ZJiseases
Diseases usually are not serious factors in barley
grain production. In South Texas, where humidity is
high and frequent showers occur, several diseases may
influence the value of the crop for winter pasture and
prevent grain production. Barley often matures early
enough in the major grain-producing areas to escape
damage from foliage diseases. For detailed information
on diseases, farmers should contact their local county
a/ jricultural agent.
Seed ~reatJlfellt
Chemical seed treatments give considerable protec-
t) on to young seedlings and better assurance of satis-
factory stands. Black loose smut, covered smut and
Varieties and types of barley. Left to
right, hooded, awnless, six-row short-
awned, awned club, common six-row
barley and common 2-row' barley.
7
The smooth or barbless awns of Cor-
dova are shown, left and right, in con-
trast to the barbed or rough awns of
Wintex, center.
Kearney center, a very cold resistant
variety, survived low temperatures in
1951 at Bushland. Reno and Ward, on
left and right were killed.
8
barley stripe may be controlled with recommended fungi-
cide treatments, when applied according to manufac-
turers' directions. Most seed-cleaning plants have equip-
ment for seed treating or it may be carried out on the
farm. Fungicides are poisonous and persons using
them should take necessary preca"!ltions and use protec-
tive equipment to prevent inhaling the chemicals. Treat-
ed grain never should be fed to animals.
A new water-soak method has been devised for
controlling brown loose smut. The method can be used
economically in treating small lots of seed for seed pro-
duction purposes. This consists of soaking the infected
seed in water for 2 to 6 hours, and then holding the
soaked seed for 34 to 38 hours in an air-tight container,
such as an oil drum with an air-tight cover. The addi-
tion of Chlorox or Purex at the rate of 1 pint to 30
gallons of water reduces undesirable odors and bacterial
growth. The grain must be dried immediately to pre-
vent sprouting and to permit seeding with a drill. After
the grain is dry, it can be treated with recommended
organic mercurial fungicide before planting.
Jnsects
Of the many insects seriously damaging barley, the
most serious usually is the greenbug (aphid). This in-
sect prefers barley to other grains. Other aphids may
attack barley but ordinarily their damage is not serious.
Greenbugs cause a characteristic yellowing or reddening
of the leaf tissue where they feed. Under favorable con-
ditions for greenbug reproduction, entire plants may die
causing small-to-large yellow or dead areas in fields.
The variety, Kearney, has considerable resistance to the
greenbug. If greenbugs or other insects are found in
damaging numbers, farmers should contact their county
agricultural agent for control measures. The economics
of an insecticidal control program must be considered,
since it may not be practical to spend the amount re-
quired to control a greenbug infestation.
9


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Growing Better Crops of Barley.

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Texas A&M Repository

Texas A&M University

Growing Better Crops of Barley.

Abstract

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Full text

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Texas A&amp;M Repository

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M Repository