Yield and Nutritive Value Responses of Forage Barley Cultivars and Lines

Forage barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) has attracted attention as a potential crop in Japan; however, promising cultivars and lines have not been selected and selection criteria for breeding have not been found. This study aimed to determine the effects of cultivars and lines (Wasedorinijyo, Saikaikawa 67, Saikaihadaka 68, Hakei B 0878, Hakei B 0879, and Nishinochikara) on dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive value in southwestern Japan. In the 2010–2011 crop season at heading and soft dough, Hakei B 0879 had similar DM yield to the other cultivars and lines used. However, in the 2011–2012 crop season, Hakei B 0879 had the highest number of tillers and the highest DM yield among all the cultivars and lines. The number of emerged seedlings of Hakei B 0879 was much higher in the 2011–2012 crop season than in the 2010–2011 crop season. Thus, in the 2010–2011 crop season at soft dough, the DM yield of Hakei B 0879 was reduced because of the lower number of tillers. To stabilize the DM yield of Hakei B 0879, improved seedling emergence and growth at early stages could be important. In both crop seasons at heading and soft dough, DM yield was positively correlated with the number of tillers and leaf plus stem dry weight (DW). In addition, in both crop seasons at heading, the in vitro dry matter digestibly (IVDMD) concentration of Saikaikawa 67 was higher than, or similar to, those of the other cultivars and lines used because of the lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration. These results suggest that spike-number type cultivars may be more suitable for forage barley than spike-weight type cultivars and the number of tillers could be a selection criteria for breeding.