Seeds

Syngenta: HYVIDO hybrid barley

HYVIDO™ hybrid barley has a different growth habit from conventional varieties, requiring a new agronomic approach to maximise yield potential.

Using the breadth of its knowledge and technology, Syngenta has devised protocols for agronomic practice, fertiliser and crop protection to help farmers achieve the best yields with HYVIDO™ hybrid barley.

Seed rate

Syngenta has focussed on assessing the impact on yield and grain quality of seed rates between 170-260 seeds/m². From these trials we found that there was no significant difference between 200-260 seeds/m² when sown between mid-September and mid-October across three locations from 2009-2012.

Above 260 seeds/m² the specific weight of HYVIDO™ starts to drop off and yield does not increase.

So when sowing between mid-September to mid-October into good seedbed conditions a seed rate of 200 seeds/m² will provide the economic optimum.

Growers should be aiming for 180 plants/m² establishment.

Nitrogen (earlier than conventional)

The earlier development of HYVIDO™ hybrid Barley and the lower plant counts is what drives the need for earlier nitrogen. The early nitrogen (30% of total dose) is required to maintain the plant count, encourage and support the higher tillering ability and grain number set.

Waiting until GS30/31 to apply the first nitrogen application is too late in hybrid barley, also because it will reach this growth stage before conventional barley and timing of application can be too late.

The 50% before stem extension is used to maximise the spikelet set to get the most numbers of grains per ear on all the tillers that have been determined.

The remaining 20% at stem extension fertilises the spikelets and determines the final number of viable grain sites prior to flowering.

Recommendation:

30% at GS25 (protect ear numbers/start of ear formation)
50% at GS30/31 (maximizes spikelet set)
20% at GS32/37 (fertilizing spikelets and grain set)

Fungicide (SDHIs deliver in HYVIDO™ and isopyrazam is the best match)

HYVIDO™ canopy unlike conventional and needs SDHI protection
IZM offers extra protection on a larger canopy
Extends green leaf retention & grain fill
Maintains optimum yield components for HYVIDO™
Provides best match for HYVIDO™ disease resistance scores

HYVIDO™ has a larger canopy than conventional barley that enables greater light interception and utilisation, making it more important to invest in chemistry that will provide long-lasting protection.

HYVIDO™ has excellent resistance to Rhynchosporium, combined with good resistance to Net Blotch. It is not as strong against Brown Rust, which IZM provides excellent protection against and complements the disease profile of HYVIDO.

Growth regulation (MODDUS for increasing stem strength and rooting)

The use of MODDUS enhances the rooting ability of HYVIDO™, enabling the hybrid barley to increase root mass and length in order to scavenge even more effectively for water and nutrients. It has the additional benefit of maintaining stem strength.

All of these factors contribute towards the three components of yield (fertile ears/m², grains per ear, and thousand grain weight).

Seed rate impacts on all three and in ideal conditions you are looking for a an establishment of 90%, 180 plants/m² is the target.

The first influence on fertile ears/m² is seed rate, 200 seeds/m² allows space for larger ears, with more grains per ear and access to more nutrients. Early nitrogen supports ear and canopy development. IZM (isopyrazam) maintains the fertile ears later into the growing season.

Grains per ear is mainly influenced by seed rate and early nitrogen determining the final number.

Thousand grain weight (TGW) is maximised through IZM extending grain fill as much as possible and MODDUS enhancing rooting and maintaining stem strength.

(Source – http://www3.syngenta.com/country/uk/en/Crops/Cereals/Hyvido/Pages/HybridBarleyAgronomy.aspx)