The competitive ability of 29 barley cultivars

Non-Peer ReviewedUsing competitive crops and cultivars can be an important integrated weed management (IWM) tool. Barley is considered a competitive crop, but cultivar competitiveness varies. There are two aspects of cultivar competitive ability; the ability to compete (AC) and the ability to withstand competition (AWC). A study was conducted to explore aspects of barley cultivar competitive ability with oats, and to examine the feasibility of ranking cultivars based on either, or both, AWC and AC. Field trials were undertaken in 2001 and 2002 to determine cultivar competitive ability for 29 barley cultivars commonly grown on the Canadian Prairies. Cultivars were selected from semi-dwarf and full height, hulled and hull-less, 2- and 6-row, and, feed and malt classes. Yield loss ranged from 6-79% while weed seed return ranged from 10-83% of gross yield. As a class, semi-dwarf and hull-less cultivars were less competitive than full height and hulled cultivars, respectively. However, considerable variation existed among within these classes, and an absolute relationship between class membership and competitive ability did not exist. Ranking barley cultivar competitive ability would make it a valuable IWM tool for farmers and extension personnel