A comparative study of physiological, biochemical and agronomic aspects in malting barley varieties : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science and Honours [Canterbury Agricultural College]

Abstract

Neither Carlsberg nor Proctor is completely suitable for release as malting barley in New Zealand. It is suggested that a policy of barley improvement based upon variety breeding rather than upon variety introduction would be preferable. The performance in New Zealand of Carlsberg, Kenia and Proctor barleys was compared with their performances in North-West Europe; and the performance of Research barley was compared with its performance in Australia. The reason why some cereal varieties do not thrive as well in one country as in another is probably due both to environmental differences between the countries and to individual varietal characteristics. The most significant environmental differences between England and New Zealand are probably due to differences in moisture availability, in regularity of precipitation and possibly in the seasonal pattern of photoperiods. Earliness of grain ripening and the genetical ability to adapt to different levels of moisture availability may be important varietal characteristics.