How to choose between two-row and six-row barleys

KWS Tardis created a bit of a stir when it was added to the 2021/22 RL being not only the highest yielding two-row on the list but also rivalling the performance of many six-row hybrid varieties, says KWS technical specialist Olivia Potter.

At 106% of control yield equating to an output of over 10t/ha it was just 1% behind the best of the six-rows at 107% controls, representing a difference of less than 0.1t/ha, she points out.

"It's lived up to expectations in the field since then with many growers switching from their longstanding favourite two-rows such as KWS Hawking, Cassia and Orwell to take advantage of Tardis' superior yield and field performance.

"But it's also presented some six-row barley advocates with a bit of a dilemma as it's proven perfectly capable of delivering the same yield in the field with simpler management and lower overall production costs.

"A good two-row barley can definitely be a more economical choice when cost of production is an issue, as it has been for many growers in recent years, and when the best conventional options can produce such high yields.

"KWS Tardis is especially strong in the east where it produces a yield 105% of control in the latest RL and, thanks to its super stiff straw, performs well on heavy land where it delivers yields of 107% controls."

Versatility and resilience

Such versatility and in-built resilience has given it genuine countrywide appeal, she says.

"Requirements for a barley variety are different depending on where a grower is in the country.

"In the west, for example, quite a lot of barley is grown for home feeding and price of production and outright yield are clearly important. Conventional varieties are popular and once established, a variety can stay on-farm for many years.

"This is where KWS Tardis' stiff straw, strong disease resistance and good yield potential - it's still delivers 102% of controls in the west - have resulted in it dislodging many traditional choices.

"A high specific weight of 70.6 kg/hl has also helped with this adding to its appeal in the east, too.

"In these areas, more barley goes into feed and export contracts so a good bold grain sample is important and KWS Tardis' very low screenings also give it potential to open up a range of high value marketing opportunities.

"The variety's stiff straw and performance on heavy soils are also important factors for growers in the east, particularly this in fenland areas where lodging can be a real problem. That stiff straw is also important in areas where there is a lot of rainfall."

Management Considerations

Two-row barleys tend to be more straight forward in their nature than their six-row counterparts and this can lead to simpler management in many cases, Olivia Potter says.

"Six-row hybrids usually need sunshine and an extended grainfill period to produce top yields so in the UK's typical dull early summer conditions this can be a problem.

"This current season looks like it could be really good two-row year because we have had a good amount of water and just 90% of our annual sunshine to date plus, in areas where there has been a lot of rain, stiff straw is a real benefit.

"Hybrids can also require a bit more precision around management particularly with regard to spray applications and PGR timings and the weather does not always allow this. Two-rows do tend to be a bit more flexible and resilient in this respect."

"You would certainly pick a good two-row over a six-row hybrid on more fertile land because of its stiff straw and when average UK weather conditions prevail. Hybrids can rapidly lose yield and specific weight in low light conditions.

"If you need a more conventional harvest date, two-rows should also be first choice as hybrids tend to mature earlier and whilst this offers a good entry to OSR, it might not fit with other cropping."

Six-row hybrid barleys do hold an advantage over some two-rows in that they have increasingly become seen as a useful tool for tackling grass weed problems, she points out.

"The large rooting system of some hybrid barleys, added to excellent autumn vigour, can increase competition with grass weeds below ground.

"Early and spring vigour also enables them to compete with grassweeds for sunlight above ground, giving a smothering effect. But the best two rows are not to dissimilar in this respect."

KWS Tardis follows a line of two-row barleys that have been steadily pushing yields higher in recent years with varieties like KWS Cassia and KWS Orwell proving very popular with growers, Olivia Potter adds.

"With over ten years’ service under its belt, KWS Cassia has served feed barley growers well. It still has the highest specific weight of all barley varieties on the latest RL.

“KWS Hawking is also an ultra-reliable high-yielding low-risk variety, with strong straw and no agronomic weaknesses. An added benefit is that KWS Hawking is an earlier maturing type.