Golden Grains: Unlocking The Full Potential Of Your Spring Barley Crop
17 February 2025, UK: As we move into the main spring barley drilling season, it is important to remember that some of the first decisions you take can have a big impact on a crop’s success.
Building on the earlier article around varieties and end-markets, in this edition we review seed rates and examine certain seed treatments which, from the very beginning, can enhance the success of your crop.
Seed rates and establishment
Achieving good plant populations is particularly important for spring barley, due to the crop having a shorter growing period which restricts its ability to compensate from sub-optimal establishment, compared to winter crops.
Successful spring barley establishment is often determined by suitable seedbed moisture and good seed to soil contact at drilling. Where seed coverage and moisture at drilling are sub-optimal, plant counts, establishment and final yield can be negatively impacted.
Getting the seed rate right will optimise plant establishment and yield.
The following table provides guidance on the seed rates for Syngenta spring barley varieties. The final seed rates used should take into consideration seedbed quality, soil type and weather conditions. A final shoot number of 775m2 is optimal for spring barley (AHDB Barley Growth Guide).
NUELLO iN – Growth right from the start. Enhance your spring barley with a nitrogen fixing seed treatment.
The weather, soil type and soil moisture conditions will have a big impact on nutrient availability and uptake which can especially be a challenge on the typically lighter soil types used for growing malting barley.
Growth right from the start
New nitrogen fixing biofertiliser technologies offer the potential to enhance spring barley crop growth right from the start and through the growing season. Nuello iN seed treatment includes two unique endophytes which fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form readily useable by the growing plant. It shows rooting enhancement and provides nitrogen to the crop soon after germination.
Nuello iN is especially useful on soils where nutrient retention can be a challenge and in situations where nitrogen is not optimally taken up from the soil, for example due to dry soil conditions.
Secure yields without impacting % grain N
Already well proven in other crops, including winter cereals and pulses, the carefully selected bacteria in Nuello iN seed treatment can sustainably contribute to the crops’ nitrogen needs, securing quality yields without impacting % grain N.
Use alongside standard nitrogen
The nitrogen fixing technology can be readily integrated with conventional agronomy programmes and in spring barley should be used to enhance yields alongside a standard nitrogen programme. Nuello iN can be co-applied with existing seed treatments such as VIBRANCE Duo to control seed and soil borne diseases.
Nuello iN is approved for use in organic systems, contact your certification body prior to use.
The “VIBRANCE Effect” in spring barley boosts rooting and improves establishment, leading to a more resilient crop.
Establishing good root structure can be particularly important in spring cereals, especially on the typically lighter soil types used for growing spring malting barley. VIBRANCE Duo seed treatment in spring barley boosts rooting and improves establishment, leading to a more resilient crop. The dressing also gives excellent control of key seed-borne diseases which if not controlled can drastically impact establishment, yield and grain quality. It has approval by the British Beer and Pub Association and Campden BRI for use on malting barley and is an excellent option to maximise yield and protect quality.
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