Different varieties of spring barley in Voronezh region
Barley varieties cultivated in Voronezh region satisfy the recommendations of Governmental Variety Testing Commission of RF only on 54,7%. Varieties 'Vakula' and 'Priazovsky 9' occupy 40% of barley wedge area. The area under Gelios UA', 'Beatris', 'Talovsky 9' is intensively being expanded, the area under 'Ursa', 'Ksanadu' and 'Zhozefin' is being reduced because of a week drought resistance. Among brewing varieties such cultivars as 'Getman' and 'Margaret', 'Priazovsky 9' and 'Yasny', 'Zernogradets 770' and 'Veles' have been selected on productivity, giving good yields under favourable and dry conditions of vegetation. The varieties 'Veles', 'Priazovsky 9', 'Vladimir', 'Margret' and 'Marni' produce the highest mass of 1000 seeds. During heavy drought the varieties 'Khadzhibey', 'Getman' and 'Marni' are characterized with the grain size more than 60%. Brewing varieties that satisfied GOST-5060-86 were not selected. Among forage barley varieties drought tolerant two-row cultivars 'Nutans 553' and 'Talovsky 9' have the most stable productivity, due to stem density ('Nutans 553') and high mass of 1000 seeds ('Talovsky 9'). The multi-row variety 'Vakula' significantly reduces its productivity under unfavourable weather conditions. The variety 'Zevs' is characterized by fine (31,4-41,6g) unaligned grain. All two-row varieties, especially 'Talovsky 9', possess the largest content of protein. The grain forage varieties 'Gelios UA' and 'Talovsky' are more suitable for the conditions of Voronezh region. They are more valuable for making mixed fodders and they guarantee stable production in rough continental conditions.