Winter Barley Reference Crops: 2001-2002

Introduction

A new 3.5-year project funded by HGCA and SEERAD will develop detailed crop growth benchmarks and targets for winter barley (HGCA project 2514), culminating in a comprehensive guide for growers.

With information on key crop characteristics for achieving high yields, growers will be able to manipulate seed, nitrogen, PGR and fungicide inputs to ensure their crops achieve the key benchmark targets.

Six reference sites have been set up around the UK in key winter barley growing areas. The crops at these sites will be monitored closely through the growing season and their progress recorded. The guide will be available in 2005 but growers will be able to monitor the crops as they grow each year on this website.

Details of each site, including nitrogen inputs, are recorded so that their impact on crop growth and development can be assessed. Canopy size, biomass and the number of shoots are all recorded, along with meteorological data. Photographs are also included for ease of comparison.

To compare your barley crops with those being grown by the scientists in your area, click on the site name for details of the trial location and latest crop update. Graphical data and photographs can be viewed by clicking on the characteristic you are interested in e.g. canopy size.