Publication Date

5-1973

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Elmer Gray, L.D. Brown, Gordon Jones

Degree Program

Department of Agriculture

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

The potential of Barsoy barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as a silage crop was studied at Western Kentucky University in 1970-1971. The field study was conducted at two locations. Barley was seeded at the rate of 107.5 kg/ha in a Pembroke silt loam soil at both locations in September, 1970. At the time of planting the soil was fertilized with 7.5, 32.4 and 33.1 kg/ha of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively. Plants at location 2 received an additional 23.7 kg/ha of nitrogen in February, 1971.

Whole barley plants were harvested at weekly intervals from March 11 through June 3 at Location 1 and from April 22 through June 3 at Location 2. Based upon the results for dry matter yield, chemical composition, and dry matter percentage, the dough stage of maturity was found to be the most desirable stage for ensiling barley plants. At this stage dry matter yields were 5.4 and 12.4 metric tons per hectare for Locations 1 and 2, respectively. Dry matter percentages were 32.5 for plants at Location 1 and 33.0 for plant at Location 2. Chemical composition percentages for plants at Location 1 were: crude protein 8.3, crude fiber 28.8 nitrogen free extract 54.7, ether extract 1.1, and ash 7.1. Chemical composition percentages for plants at Location 2 were: crude protein 11.5, crude fiber 33.8, nitrogen free extract 47.0, either extract 0.5, and ash 7.2.

Disciplines

Agricultural Science | Agriculture | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Plant Sciences

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