Barley Explorer: variety description and characteristics, planting and care rules

Barley is one of the most ancient cereals cultivated on our planet. Able to grow in different climatic conditions, ripens quickly, with proper storage does not lose commercial qualities for a long time. There are varieties used for the production of cereals, varieties used for the production of m alt in brewing, fodder types of cereals. Today we will talk about the spring barley Explorer, which belongs to the brewing grain forage variety.

Description and characteristics of the variety Explorer

The plant belongs to mid-season grain forage varieties, the vegetation period is 70-80 days.Nutans variety. Bush intermediate. The sheaths of the lower leaves are not pubescent, the ears of the flank leaf have a strong anthocyanin coloration. Short/medium length variety, vagina has a strong waxy coating.

Ear of medium density, cylindrical shape, no wax coating. Short lower segment of the stalk with a slight bend. The awns are long, with serrations and weak anthocyanin coloration of the tips. The caryopsis is very large, grain groove without pubescence. The weight of 1000 grains is 45-55 grams. Recommended for sowing in the Central Black Earth region.

Pros and cons

Of the advantages of the Explorer variety, they note:

• high yield;
• drought tolerance;
• resistance to dust and stone smut, powdery mildew.

The disadvantage of the variety is susceptibility to helminthosporiasis. Explorer is resistant to ear drooping and lodging. It tolerates drought well, seeds do not require treatment with growth stimulants before planting. The variety is characterized by intensive tillering.

Planting and caring for barley

Culture is sown from the first decade of March to mid-May, depending on the region. The plant easily withstands return frosts. On heavy soils, the seed depth is 3-4 centimeters, with light soil - 6-8 centimeters. It is sown in a narrow-row way, cross-sowing is used occasionally, since the sowing units compact the soil, and the costs increase due to fuel consumption. Additionally, post-sowing soil rolling is used, with a lack of moisture in the soil. Barley prefers a neutral type of soil (pH about 7), on acidic soils, liming is carried out before planting. Does not grow well in saline soil.

In autumn or before sowing, the soil is fertilized with mineral complexes.If Explorer barley is sown for m alt production, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied is reduced. Grain forage barley requires an increased level of nitrogen in the soil (nitrogen fertilizers affect the protein level in the grains). Feed version of barley contains 12-14% protein. Fertilize with urea or ammonium nitrate.

In addition to nitrogen, phosphate and potash fertilizers are applied.

Superphosphate and potassium sulfate are used. Additional application of nitrogen fertilizers is carried out twice during the growing season of barley.

Crop rotation is important for a plant. Explorer is sown on clean fallows, after green manure (wheat, buckwheat). Potatoes, beets, corn are considered suitable predecessors. Grain fodder barley is sown after legumes and leguminous crops. This allows you to increase the amount of protein in the grains. Brewing cereal is not sown after legumes. For a good harvest, barley is not sown in one area for more than 3 years in a row.

Diseases and pests

To protect seeds and sprouts from various types of infections, dressing is used. It allows you to protect the sprouts and root system from diseases at an early stage of the growing season. For prophylactic purposes and at the first signs of disease, crops are treated with fungicides. Up to 3 applications per growing season are allowed.

To protect plants from pests, sowing dates, crop rotation are observed, insecticidal agents are used.

Agrochemical preparations are used strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions, avoiding an overdose of funds.

Cleaning and storage rules

Barley is harvested in dry, sunny weather, on dried soil. The duration of the harvest campaign is 10-14 days. The moisture content of the grains during harvesting should not exceed 20%. The grain is cleaned of impurities (grass residues, empty grains, lumps of soil). If necessary, dry in vacuum units or with a stream of hot air.

Stored in elevators, in silos at a temperature of +9-11 ° C and humidity for m alted grain - no more than 7-8%, for grain forage - no more than 12-14%. These indicators are optimal for long-term storage of cereals. When barley is kept in bulk, the temperature and humidity are periodically checked in different parts of the embankment. The crop storage area must be dry and well ventilated.

Barley is a cereal that is easy to grow and care for. Harvest, subject to storage standards, can remain of high quality for 1-3 years.The high yield, drought tolerance and versatility (can be used for brewing and grain forage) of the Explorer variety have made it popular with farmers.

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