WINNIPEG (Staff) — Using nitrogen fertilizer on a malting barley crop may not be the no-no farmers once thought, research at the Agriculture Canada Research Centre in Brandon has shown.
A three-year study by scientists Mario Therrien and Cynthia Grant has found environmental conditions and the choice of variety have a greater effect on malting quality than fertilizer management.
“The best option for producers would be to choose a variety that best suits individual needs and conditions, fertilize for optimal but not excessive yield and hope for good weather,” said a research centre release.
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Believed to affect protein content
The industry has traditionally limited nitrogen applications on malting barley crops because it was believed nitrogen could increase the protein content above acceptable levels for the malting industry. While that usually led to lower yields, it didn’t ensure the crop would make the malting grade.
Various nitrogen rates applied
The test was conducted on two sites using the varieties Argyle and Ellice. Varying rates of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium chloride fertilizer were applied.
“Over the three years of the study, the level of nitrogen fertilizer was never the determining factor in whether a sample was acceptable for malting,” the release said.
“It was possible to get high yield and make the malting grade under high fertility, providing that environmental conditions favored vigorous growth of the crop with minimal lodging.”
