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

Spring barley varieties occupy a huge niche in the agricultural sector. The grain crop has an important food purpose, it is used for livestock feed and in brewing. Universal barley Margaret was bred by German breeders. The variety is characterized by excellent yields and unpretentiousness to growing conditions.

Description and characteristics of the Margaret variety

A hybrid variety of cereal obtained by crossing barley Viscose and Scarlett.

Due to its excellent resistance to temperature changes, the variety is recommended for cultivation in regions with different climatic features in 2005.

1. Herbaceous bush is undersized, during the growing season it reaches a maximum of 57-59 cm.
2. Rhizomes of a fibrous structure, which increases the resistance of plants during a long drought.
3. The period of grain ripening is short, depending on the region of cultivation, from 80 to 90 days.
4. Plant with many thin, narrow leaf blades. The lower leaves are smooth, the upper leaf cover of the plant is rough, with villi.
5. The contour of the ear is cylindrical, the density is loose or medium, covered with a thick layer of wax coating.
6. Amber colored ear.
7. The awns are long, exceed the size of the ear, anthocyanin color appears at the tips.
8. Mature grains are large, with a pronounced groove in the middle of the abdomen, yellow or light yellow in color.
9. Average weight per 1000 grains ranges from 40 to 50 g.
10. The variety is characterized by excellent yields, up to 36 centners per 1 hectare. The maximum harvest was obtained in 2003, amounting to 71 centners per hectare.
11. Margaret's spring barley has been bred to have excellent resistance to frost, heat and drought.
12. With proper care and agricultural practices, the cereal is resistant to some fungal and viral infections.

Important! The variety is characterized by rapid growth and bushiness, resistant to drooping and lodging.

Advantages and disadvantages of barley

Growing a cereal crop, you need to know all the strengths and weaknesses of the selected barley variety.

Depending on the further purpose of the crop, the seeding rate is also calculated. With early planting of cereals per square meter of land, from 330 to 350 grains are used. For late planting of barley, the sowing rate is increased to 400 grains per square meter. The advantages of the hybrid include early maturation, universal use of grain and excellent frost resistance.

Low resistance to powdery mildew and some pests is considered a disadvantage of this variety.

Planting and care

Spring barley is planted at a temperature of +1 to +3 degrees. Seeds are heated and treated with antifungal drugs before planting in the ground.

1. The plant is not demanding on the composition and quality of the soil, but the crop yield increases on fertile soils.
2. The land is plowed, the soil is mixed with organic and mineral additives, harrowed and abundantly moistened.
3. Spread the seeds on the surface of the prepared soil, sprinkle a thin layer of soil on top, deepen from 5 to 7 cm.

Important! The cereal crop does not grow well and develops on sandy soils containing a large amount of acids.

Irrigation measures are carried out in case of urgent need, the variety is not picky about additional moisture.

The quantity and quality of top dressing directly depends on the further purpose of the cereal.

1. Food grains require a high protein content. They use nitrogen-containing fertilizing at the rate of 100 kg per 1 ha, and mineral fertilizers based on phosphorus and potassium, at the rate of 60 kg per 1 ha.
2. For the brewing industry, the application rate of organic and mineral substances is reduced to 40 kg per 1 ha.

Important! Tillage is carried out 1 time per season, in late autumn, after harvesting, or in early spring, before sowing seeds.

Diseases and pests

Spring barley crops spread over large areas, so plants need careful protection from harmful insects and fungal, viral and bacterial diseases.

Most often, spring barley is affected by powdery mildew, yellow and brown rust, blotch, Septoria and fusariosis of ears.

To avoid the spread of diseases and protect the crop from complete loss, plantings are treated with chemical and biological means of protection. In the process of pest control, insecticide-based preparations are used.

Cleaning and storage

The spring barley is harvested by machine or by hand. The resulting cereal crop is sent for long-term storage to elevators or special granaries.

Processed grains make tasty and he althy cereals, but barley flour is usually not used due to its low gluten content.

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