Yield, protein and starch accumulation in spring barley grain in dependence of basic tillage

The methods of basic tillage are among the leading links in the agricultural systems, on which the physical, agrochemical and biological indicators of soil fertility depend and which finally determine the crop yield and its quality. The article presents three-year (2020-2022) research results on the effect various methods of basic tillage insert on yield, bushel weight of grain, weight of 1 thousand grains, accumulation of starch and protein in grain of spring barley of the Berkut variety. The basic tillage methods were: deep tillage – plowing by 20–22 cm, shallow tillage – loosening by 10-12 cm, “zero” tillage – without autumn mechanical tillage. Field experiments were conducted on the experimental field of the Samara State Agrarian University in the conditions of the forest-steppe zone of the Middle Volga region. Over the three years of research, plowing contributed to a high yield of spring barley grain of 2.36 t/ha on the average. At the same time, we estimated high values of the bushel weight of grain averaging 682 g/l, protein content – 12.86 %, and its fractional composition – 88.4 %. The high yield value of grain also had a significant impact on obtaining a high protein harvest per unit area amounting 2.56 centner/ha. “Zero” tillage contributed to the production of a high weight value of 1 thousand grains – 48.5 g. Coarse grain was also marked through an increased starch content – 50.6 %. The spring barley grain produced with high yield, technological indicators of grain quality, starch and protein content, as well as its fractional composition, has a fodder-grain application direction and possesses a valuable feeding value.