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Title
Abstract
The objective of the research study was to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilisation level on changes in the technological value of five spring barley cultivars intended for food production. A pot experiment with spring barley was performed in the greenhouse run by the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation. The barley cultivars studied were compared for the quantity and quality of grain yield including their response to three levels of nitrogen fertilisation (NH4NO3): 1, 2 and 3 g N/pot. The nitrogen fertilisation level proved to have a significant effect on the yield and quality of grains of the barley cultivars examined. With the increase in the nitrogen dose levels to 3 g/pot, a significant increase was reported in the grain yield and number of spikes per pot in all the spring barley cultivars, however there was a decrease in the weight of 1000 kernels. The levels of nitrogen fertilisation and the barley cultivars proved to have a significant impact on the contents of total dietary fibre (TDF) and (1,3)(1,4)-β-D-glucans but no interaction was found between the level of fertilisation and the cultivar. Significantly higher contents of TDF and (1,3)(1,4)-β-D-glucans were reported in the examined spring barley cultivars at a dose of 2 and 3 g N/pot compared to 1 g N/pot. With the increase in the nitrogen dose to 3 g N/pot, a significant increase was reported in the protein content in all the cultivars. Owing to the highest contents of dietary fibre and (1,3)(1,4)-β-D-glucans, and to a high protein content, the ‘Bordo’ and ‘Tocada’ varieties can be recommended as the best varieties to produce food.
Keywords
barley, fertilisation, quality, dietary fibre, Mitscherlich pot