Australian Barleys: Identification of Varieties, Grain Defects and Foreign Seeds

By CW Wrigley and RW Fitzsimmons

This handbook provides a basis for checking the range of quality factors that can be judged by on-the-spot examination. When barley is being received at the silo or the malt-house, it is impractical and unnecessary to use the range of precise laboratory methods devised for quality testing, although these can be used to decide about border-line samples or to resolve disputes.

Instead, an approximate indication of many quality factors can be obtained by visual examination to determine:
(a) the variety, to make sure that the load is binned with other barley of a compatible quality type;
(b) the extent of damage to grains, as an indication of how satisfactory the grain will be for the particular use for which it is offered;
(c) the degree of contamination with foreign seeds, to determine the purity of the barley, the expense involved in cleaning it and its suitability for use as human or animal food depending on the toxicity of the contaminants.

In addition to these three aspects of quality, there are other factors such as test weight and protein content that can be measured on receival of grain, but they are beyond the scope of this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
• Release date: Jun 1, 1984
• ISBN: 9780643106123

Book preview

AUSTRALIAN

BARLEYS

IDENTIFICATION OF VARIETIES,

GRAIN DEFECTS AND FOREIGN SEEDS

SECOND EDITION

R. W. Fitzsimmons

Department of Agriculture, Sydney, N.S.W. 2000

and

C. W. Wrigley

CSIRO Wheat Research Unit, North Ryde, N.S.W. 2 113

COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANIZATION

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication Entry

Fitzsimmons, R. W. (Roger William).

Australian barleys.

2nd ed.

Previous ed. : Melbourne: CSIRO, 1979.

Bibliography.

ISBN 0 643 03728 4.

1. Barley — Australia — Varieties —

Identification. I. Wrigley, C. W.

II. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial

Research Organization, Australia. III. Title.

633.1′67′0994

First published 1979

© CSIRO 1984

Published by CSIRO Editorial and Publications Service

314 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Vic., Australia 3002

Contents

Preface to second edition

Acknowledgments

General introduction

Identification of barley varieties

Definition of terms

Explanation of plant characters

Vegetative stage

Flowering stage

Maturity

Explanation of head characters

Explanation of grain characters

Selected Bibliography

Summary Keys

Barley varieties

Abyssinian

Bandulla

Beecher

Cantala

Cape

Clipper

Corvette

Cutter

Dampier

Forrest

Galleon

Grimmett

Ketch

Lara

Malebo

Noyep

Parwan

Prior

Proctor

Research

Resibee

Schooner

Shannon

Stirling

Weeah

Defects of barley grain

Appendix 1: Foreign seeds

Weed seeds

Crop seeds

Index

Appendix 2: Common insects of Grain

Preface to Second Edition

Barley continues to occupy a prominent place in Australian agriculture. Its increasing importance as an export grain adds to the need for correct identification and for distinction between varieties differing in quality type. The first edition of Australian Barleys′ (1979) has already contributed in these ways towards improving grain quality. In the second edition, we provide information on nine barley varieties which have been released recently, while retaining all varieties described in the first edition. A few details have been revised and somB new information has been added. This edition is presented in loose-leaf format, as was used throughout this series, to permit the addition of description sheets for new varieties or the assembly of a smaller set of descriptions appropriate to local needs. The sections on grain defects, crop seeds and weed seeds are also available in the form of posters from CSIRG Editorial and Publications Service, East Melbourne.

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the assistance of the Australian Barley Board, the Barley Marketing Boards of New South Wales and Oueensland and their respective Technical Officers.

In addition, we appreciate the assistance given by the grain handling authorities and Departments of Agriculture/Primary Industries in all States. In particular, help with the provision of samples and plant descriptions was provided by A. Barr (S.A.), R. A.Hare (N.S.W.), R. P. Johnston (Old), D. P. Law (Old), P. A. Portmann (W.A.), B. J. Read (N.S.W.), P. E. Ridge (Vic.), D. H. B. Sparrow (S.A.), and W. Vertigan (Tas.).

Technical assistance from Robyn Smith has been most important in the production of this handbook.

Credit for the colour photography goes to Mr W. E. Rushton, CSIRO Divisotl of Food Research, whose important contribution is gratefully acknowledged.

General Introduction

Barley has increased dramatically in popularity as an Australian crop. In New South Wales alone, the area sown to barley has increased tenfold over the last two decades. The recent introduction of more suitable varieties offers the possibility of further expansion in sowings of this adaptable crop.

However, best prices for barley can only be ensured if every care is taken to provide grain of the best quality, whether it be for malting, milling for human consumption, distilling or animal feed.

Visual Assessment of Quality

This handbook provides a basis for checking the range of quality factors that can be judged by on-the-spot examination. When barley is being received at the silo or the malt-house, it is impractical and unnecessary to use the range of precise laboratory methods devised for quality testing, although these can be used to decide about border-line samples or to resolve disputes. Instead, an approximate indication of many quality factors can be obtained by visual examination to determine:

(a) the variety, to make sure that the load is binned with other barley of a compatible quality type;

(b) the extent of damage to grains, as an indication of how satisfactory the grain will be for the particular use for which it is offered;

(c) the degree of contamination with foreign seeds, to determine the purity of the barley, the expense involved in cleaning it and its suitability for use as human or animal food depending on the toxicity of the contaminants.

In addition to these three aspects of quality, there are other factors such as test weight and protein content that can be measured on receival of grain, but they are beyond the scope of this book.

Identification of Barley Varieties

The Need for Varietal Identification

Barley varieties are carefully selected by the breeder and the chemist who works with him to ensure their suitability for one of the various uses of barley. For malting, the most exacting application, it is not only essential to use a variety specifically bred for this purpose, but it is also important not