Plant Recovery and Grain-Yield Formation in Barley and Triticale Following Forage Removal at Two Cutting Stages

The effects of cutting stage on plant recovery and grain-yield formation were analyzed in three barley and three spring triticale genotypes for two sowing dates and two sites in northeastern Spain. Harvesting treatments were (i) uncut or control, (ii) cut at the pseudostem erection stage, and (iii) cut at the first node detectable stage. Plant recovery after forage removal was affected by environmental conditions, sowing date, and plant stage at cutting. There were genotypic differences in the rate of recovery after cutting. The later the plant stage at cutting, the greater were the reductions in dry-matter accumulation, leaf-area expansion, leaf-area duration after anthesis and grain-yield components, and the increases in the inverse of leaf area ratio (1/LAR) and in grain:leaf ratio. In barley, photosynthesis after anthesis was the main source of assimilates for grain filling. Photosynthesis after anthesis, which was a greater contributor than reserve remobilization to grain filling in both uncut and cut at the pseudostem erection stage treatments in triticale, was reduced when the plants were subjected to the stress of forage removal at the first-detectable-node stage.     

Spring Cereals for Forage and Grain Production in a Cool Maritime Climate

Newfoundland's climate is marginal for agricultural production. The availability of locally grown cereal grain and high‐quality forage are major limitations to successful animal agriculture in this region. Here, our overall objective was to compare several spring cereal species for both annual forage and grain production in Newfoundland's cool Maritime climate. Several varieties of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), wheat (Triticum aesitivum L.), oats (Avena sativa L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.)–cereal mixtures for forage yield and quality, as well as grain yield and maturity, were compared in field trials on the east and west coasts in both 1999 and 2000. Barley headed earliest, yielded greatest forage dry matter, had lowest forage protein and acid detergent fibre (ADF) percentages, and had neutral detergent fibre (NDF) mean values greater than those of pea–cereal mixtures, but less than those of oats and wheat. Forage harvested from pea–cereal mixtures was similar to that of barley for yield, ADF and NDF, while P and protein percentage were much greater. Barley matured 10–15 days earlier than both wheat and oats. In general terms, all three spring cereals exhibited similar grain yield potential. Oats tillered less, but compensated by producing more kernels spike^?1. Days to maturity for cereal grains in western Newfoundland were roughly similar to those reported for the Maritime provinces of Canada. Yield and maturity results for both forage and grain production suggest that eastern Newfoundland is a unique agro‐ecoregion in North America, and agronomic recommendations specific to other regions may not be applicable in this region.     

不同刈割茬次与刈割时期对大麦饲草产量与品质的影响

大麦(Hordeum valgue L.)是一优质能量饲料作物,刈割是牧草管理的一种常规方式。为了研究刈割对大麦作为青（贮）饲的影响,以4份不同生态区具代表性的大麦新品种（系）为对象,分析了不同刈割茬次与刈割时期对大麦饲草产量与品质的影响。结果表明,所有品种第1茬饲草产量与品质均高于第2茬,重复刈割导致产草量不同程度下降,其中‘盐丰1号’降幅最小(13.0%),表现出较强的耐刈性。再次刈割,所有品种干鲜比、粗灰分含量增加,粗蛋白、粗脂肪含量下降,粗纤维、钙、磷含量变化因品种而异。分蘖期刈割大麦,营养物质含量高于灌浆期刈割,适口性好,可直接用作青饲料,且有利于植株再生。因此,2次刈割可于分蘖期开始,选用耐刈性好的大麦品种,分蘖期刈割大麦可直接用作青饲,灌浆期刈割可作为青贮饲料。     

Soil Type Influences Relative Yield of Barley and Wheat in a Mediterranean-type Environment

In the eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia the yield of barley relative to wheat is influenced by soil type. Field trials studied detailed aspects of growth, development, yield and water use of a range of barley and wheat cultivars on 2 soil types at 2 locations to identify those factors that lead to the differential relative yields.
Barley had greater grain yields than wheat on both fine and coarse textured soils. On both soil types barley had a greater number of mainstem leaves which appeared faster than those of wheat and this was associated with greater tillering (6.5 v. 3.5 shoots/plant), higher GAI and greater dry matter production (845 v. 804 g/ m). The difference in yield between the two species was greater on the fine textured soil (15 v. 7 %). Barley also had greater harvest index than wheat (6—15%), and this combined with greater dry matter production on the fine textured soil led to a larger yield advantage over wheat than occurred on the coarse textured soil. Water use efficiency was greater for barley than for wheat on both soils.
The greater yield advantage of barley over wheat on the fine textured soil was the result of greater biomass production by barley and greater harvest index. Differences in pattern of water use, and water use efficiency of grain production were associated with greater barley yields but are not themselves considered to be the cause of relative yield differences across soil types. The possible implications of factors such as intrinsic nutrient supply on the 2 soil types in relation to observed yield differences are discussed.     

刈割时期和留茬高度对大麦鲜草产量及饲用品质的影响

旨在为湖南饲用大麦整株的利用提供指导。以湖北‘华大麦9号’为研究对象,通过对饲草株高,分蘖数,鲜重和饲草品质等测定,分析不同刈割时期和留茬高度对大麦鲜草产量与品质的影响,筛选出合适的刈割时期和留茬高度。‘华大麦9号’的生育期169天,在抽穗时株高达到最高,分蘖数在3~5之间。大麦在环洞庭湖区域种植整株收获做饲草利用,刈割时期可以从始穗期开始,以齐穗期为最好,留茬高度可以是5~10 cm,其中5 cm留茬高度可以获得更高的产量。‘华大麦9号’留茬高度为5 cm,刈割时期为齐穗期,总产量达到42.23 kg/小区。不同时期刈割其粗灰分、粗蛋白和粗纤维含量存在显著差异。粗蛋白在始穗期和齐穗期差异不显著,以始穗期最高;粗纤维含量以成熟期最高;而粗灰分含量在不同刈割时期间差异不显著。     

Analysis of adaptation of barley,triticale, durum and bread wheat under Mediterranean conditions

Summary Yield data obtained from a comparative small grain cereals trial, grown for five consecutive growing seasons at a total of 23 environments in Cyprus, were subjected to regression analysis. Within each environment, yield trials consisted of a standard set of three cultivars or elite lines of barley, triticale, durum and bread wheat. The regression coefficient (b) of crop mean on the environmental index (I) and the mean square deviation from regression (sd²) were calculated for each crop. Each crop tended to have its own characteristic value of sd² and its magnitude was an excellent indicator of specific crop-environment interaction. The causes of large sd², for two of the four crops, were the susceptibilith of barley to lodging, when favourable conditions were encountered at high yielding environments, and triticale dependence on late season precipitation. Durum wheat and triticale had an average response to different yielding environments (b>1.19) and both were significantly different from those of bread wheat (1.08) and barley (0.54). Hence, barley, bread and durum wheat are specifically adapted to low, average and high yielding Mediterranean environments, respectively. The cultivation of triticale at the expence of durum wheat is not feasible. Furthermore, interactions between crops and environments demonstrated by the regression parameters, should constitute the basis for decision making, regarding crop adaptation in a region. The average yield in all environments should not be considered as a proper criterion for adaptation. In this study, triticale had a similar mean grain yield (3,842 kg/ha) to that of bread wheat, but was significantly higher yielding than barley or durum wheat (5 and 7%, respectively).     

多棱饲用大麦品系粮、草产量及品质的鉴定与综合评价

为培育适宜沿江、江淮地区种植的粮（籽粒）和草（饲草）产量及品质优良的大麦新品种，对12份多棱饲用大麦新品系和对照品种西引二号的饲草和籽粒的产量及品质进行比较，运用灰色关联度分析法进行综合评价。结果表明，B11015-1干草产量显著高于大部分自育品系，但与对照差异不显著；多个自育品系的籽粒产量高于对照，其中B11015-7籽粒产量最高；B11015-7和B11015-3饲草粗蛋白含量较高，分别为7.96%和7.82%；B11015-2和B11015-14相对饲喂价值（RFV）较高，分别为159.15和157.14；B11015-3和皖饲2-1籽粒蛋白质含量较高，分别为10.33%和10.03%。采用灰色关联度分析，以10个性状指标对参试品种（系）进行综合评价，初步认为B11015-3、B11015-1、B11015-2和B11015-14等4个自育品系优于对照，可能成为沿江、江淮等地种植的粮、草兼用多棱饲用大麦材料。     

The Impact of Underseeding Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) on Timothy (Phleum pratense L.)-Clover (Trifolium pratense L.; Trifolium hybridum L.) Forage Production in a Cool Maritime Climate

Growing barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in the year of forage establishment is a common agronomic practice in marginal growing regions, but is often not recommended to growers. We examined the effect of silage barley production over an establishing timothy (Phleum pratense L.)‐clover (Trifolium pratense L.; Trifolium hybridum L.) forage sward in a 4‐year study near St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. The experiment compared two barley varieties differing in plant height (semidwarf Chapais and Leger), three barley seeding rates and the effect of a forage understorey on forage (barley) production in the establishment year and forage (timothy‐clover) production in the subsequent year. The taller Leger yielded similar forage biomass to Chapais in the year of forage establishment, which (when planted at 375 plants m^?2) was roughly twice that of a pure‐stand timothy‐clover mix. Increasing the barley seeding rate from 125 to 375 plants m^?2 resulted in a linear increase in forage yield in the year of planting. The production of barley forage in the establishment year resulted in reduced timothy‐clover forage yield in the year following barley planted at 125 and 375 seeds m^?2, but not for barley planted at 250 seeds m^?2. Companion planting also altered forage species composition in that higher barley seeding rates resulted in 12–18 % less timothy and 2–4 % lower fibre levels in the year following planting. Barley seeded at rates of 250–375 seeds m^?2 and undersown with a timothy‐clover mixture (harvested at mid‐milk) resulted in greater forage yield of poorer quality than pure‐stand timothy‐clover in the planting year, and a barley seeding rate of 250 seeds m^?2 did not impede forage production in the subsequent year.     

Management of Italian and Perennial Ryegrasses for Seed and Forage Production in Crop Rotations

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and perennial ryegrass (L. perenne L.) can be grown for seed and forage in cold winter regions provided the stand persists well over winter. Seed yield and plant characteristics during primary growth, and forage yield during regrowth, were determined for two Italian and one perennial ryegrass cultivars in Atlantic Canada. Establishment methods and dates included sowing ryegrass in cultivated soil alone or with barley in mid‐May and, after harvesting the barley crop, by sowing ryegrass following conventional or reduced cultivation and by no‐till drilling into barley stubble in mid‐August and early September. Despite some winterkill, particularly in Italian ryegrass, seed and forage yields were adequate in post‐establishment growing seasons. Seed yield for Italian ryegrass was greatest (1270 kg ha^?1) when it was sown into cultivated soil in mid‐August and least (890 kg ha^?1) when sown alone in May. Italian ryegrass yielded 15–17 % more seed when plots were established in mid‐August rather than in mid‐May or early September. Italian ryegrass cv. Lemtal had a greater density of fertile tillers (1030 m^?2) in the sward than cv. Ajax (860 m^?2) and its tiller density was greater when seeded into cultivated soil in September than in mid‐August. There were fewer spikelets per seed head for sowing Italian ryegrass with barley in May than for the other methods of establishment. Forage yield in regrowth was greater for Italian ryegrass cv. Ajax (2770 kg ha^?1) than for cv. Lemtal (2480 kg ha^?1). Seed yield of perennial ryegrass was greater when seeded in mid‐May than in mid‐August or early September. The seed yield of perennial ryegrass was greater when it was sown with barley in May and harvested for grain, than when it was sown alone or with barley harvested at late milk stage. The establishment methods for mid‐August and early September sowing had little effect on seed yield. However, the no‐till and reduced tillage methods resulted in a greater tiller density than sowing into the cultivated seedbed. Fertile tillers tended to be denser under reduced cultivation for sowing in August. Forage yield of perennial ryegrass regrowth was not influenced by the sowing method and timing. In conclusion, Italian and perennial ryegrasses produce adequate seed and forage regrowth under different establishment methods and timing. However, the poor persistence of Italian ryegrass may limit commercial production after the establishment year in Atlantic Canada.     

Effects of the Developmental Stage at Harvest on Dry Matter and Chemical Component Partitioning in Berseem

The influence of cutting applied at four stages of plant growth on dry matter, crude protein, total available carbohydrates and reducing sugar partitioning was examined in six genotypes of berseem ( Trifolium alexandrinum L.). The research was conducted in Foggia (Italy) during 1990 and 1991 in a glasshouse with controlled water application. The plants were grown in a plastic-lined, PVC cylinder. At each cut, dry matter and chemical components were evaluated in leaf, stem and root fractions; at the end of the biological cycle, seed yield was recorded.
Plants showed similar dry matter partitioning between leaves and stems at the eighth internode stage. The crude protein concentration was highest in leaf fractions, reaching the maximum value (31%) at an early stage of growth (fourth internode stage). The maximum value of total available carbohydrates was obtained in the stems at the early flowering stage (11 %), whereas reducing sugars almost always showed higher concentrations in the leaves (4 %). As for forage and seed yields, the developmental stage at cutting had a great influence on dry matter and chemical component partitioning among the different organs. Genotypic differences were observed for dry matter partitioning in leaves and stems in all developmental stages, but diversity in chemical component content was more evident in the roots.     

The effect of lupins as compared with peas and oats on the yield of the subsequent winter barley crop

New high yielding early maturing cultivars of lupins have been introduced in north-west Europe as grain protein crops in crop rotations. This paper reports on a comparative study of lupins with peas and oats, and of their effect on yield of subsequent winter barley crops. These crops were given five levels of N under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions on sand and loam. Under rain fed conditions the grain yield of pea, oat and lupin varied between 24–36, 34–53 and 18–37 hkg DM ha⁻¹, respectively. Supplemental irrigation raised grain yield of oat to 50–60 hkg DM ha⁻¹, while grain yield in pea was not affected and grain yield in lupin in most cases decreased due to gray mould attack and excessive vegetative growth in the indeterminate lupin variety. Under rain fed conditions, the grain nitrogen content of pea, oat and lupin varied between 137–172, 61–80 and 189–226 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively, and was significantly higher in lupin as compared with pea. On sandy soil, similar low-root densities were found for pea, oat and lupin below 30 cm depth. On sand, at final harvest the residual soil-N of lupin and pea, as measured in a subsequent winter barley crop not supplied with N fertilizer, was 15 and 8–10 kg N ha⁻¹ higher than in winter barley following oat, respectively. The nature of the probably more N-root residues of lupin is discussed. On loam, the residual N of lupin and pea was similar, 18–27 kg N ha⁻¹. On sand, under rain fed conditions preceding lupin and pea as compared with oat, increased the barley grain yield at zero N-application 77 and 49%, respectively; the effect of lupin was significantly higher than that of pea until the highest N-level 120 kg N-application ha⁻¹. On loam under rain fed conditions preceding lupin and pea increased the barley grain yield at zero N-application by 36 and 62%, respectively, as compared with oat; at N-application>60 kg N ha⁻¹ the grain yield was similar after all three crops. For both soil types the same level of effect was found under irrigated conditions. Conclusions: Supplemental irrigation might result in lower grain yield in lupin due to gray mould attack and excessive growth if indeterminate lupin varieties are used. Grain nitrogen yield of lupin is significantly higher than that of pea. On sand, the effect of lupin on the subsequent winter barley grain yield is significantly higher than that of pea, probably due to greater N-root nitrogen residues. On loam, lupin and pea have similar effects on the subsequent winter barley crop.     

花后短暂高温对小麦籽粒蛋白质含量的影响及其生理机制

采用人工气候室控温, 研究花后短暂高温对弱筋小麦扬麦9号和中筋小麦扬麦12籽粒蛋白质含量的影响及其生理机制。结果表明,开花至花后33 d,35℃以上高温处理使籽粒蛋白质含量显著高于对照, 温度越高上升越显著;花后33 d以后遇高温胁迫对蛋白质含量影响相对较轻。籽粒灌浆前期,花后6~8 d 35℃以上高温胁迫对蛋白质含量的影响最大,花后1~3 d处理影响次之;在灌浆中后期,花后19~21 d高温胁迫对蛋白质含量影响较大,花后36~38 d处理的影响较小,且灌浆前期籽粒蛋白质含量受高温胁迫的影响较灌浆中后期大。剑叶硝酸还原酶（NR）和谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）活性以25℃处理较高,随温度的升高而降低, 与籽粒蛋白质含量呈极显著负相关。高温胁迫导致粒重下降,籽粒蛋白质含量相对上升。花后短暂高温胁迫导致弱、中筋小麦籽粒蛋白质品质变劣。     

硫酸钾镁肥对水稻生长、产量和品质的影响

为明确硫酸钾镁肥在水稻上的施用效果,采用大田试验的方法,分别设置5个不同施肥量处理和4个不同施肥时期与分配比例处理,研究了不同硫酸钾镁施用量、施用时期和分配比例对水稻生长、产量和品质的影响。结果表明:硫酸钾镁用量为1023.34 kg/hm2的处理水稻产量、粗蛋白质含量、粗淀粉含量和还原型维生素C含量最高。硫酸钾镁全部基施的水稻,其产量、粗淀粉含量和还原型维生素C含量最高。硫酸钾镁基施50%,拔节期追施20%,抽穗期追施30%的水稻,其粗蛋白质含量最高。从提高产量和改善稻米品质的角度综合考虑,硫酸钾镁的最佳施用量为1 023.34 kg/hm2,最佳施用方法为全部基施。硫酸钾镁基施50%,拔节期追施20%,抽穗期追施30%对改善水稻品质有明显作用。     

Is the Companion Crop Harmless to Alfalfa Establishment in the Highlands of East Anatolia?

This study documented the effects of barley companion crop seeding rate and cutting stage on alfalfa establishment in a highland area. Alfalfa was established with barley at seeding rates of 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha^?1 and cut at the milk‐dough and ripe grain stages. In most cases, hay yield and composition of herbage were affected by companion crop seeding rate and cutting stage. Total hay yield increased from 3294 to 5131 kg ha^?1 when the companion crop seeding rate was increased from 0 to 180 kg ha^?1 at the milk‐dough stage. Legume and weed growth was suppressed by the companion crop during establishment, but using a barley companion crop decreased alfalfa plant losses in the seeding year. Few residual effects of barley were seen on hay yield in the subsequent year, but residual effects of companion crop treatments on weed suppression continued in all clippings of the second year. The results suggest that alfalfa should be sown with a barley companion crop in highland areas with adequate moisture. The seeding rate for barley is about the same as that for barley grown alone, and the companion crop could be harvested for hay or grain in the establishment year.     

新疆不同刈割期对春性大麦干草产量和青贮品质影响的研究

为了探明春性大麦在新疆地区作为青贮饲料的最佳刈割时间,以垦啤麦13、P13-3和甘啤4号为研究对象,分析不同刈割期（抽穗期、灌浆期、灌浆10d和蜡熟期）干物质产量、营养品质和青贮品质。结果表明,随着刈割期的推迟,垦啤麦13和P13-3干物质含量和干草产量显著增加,P13-3蜡熟期干草产量显著高于其他时期,参试的3个品种（系）中P13-3在蜡熟期干草产量最大,达到14 731.46kg/hm ²。随着刈割期的推后,3个春性大麦品种（系）干草中粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量呈下降趋势,垦啤麦13和P13-3的中性洗涤纤维含量逐渐上升。随着刈割时间的推迟,大麦青贮后乳酸、乙酸和丁酸含量呈下降趋势,垦啤麦13和P13-3在灌浆10d后青贮其发酵品质显著高于抽穗期和灌浆期。因此,从产量和品质两方面综合考虑,新疆地区春性大麦最佳青贮刈割时间为灌浆10d。     

Genotypic and environmental influence upon the nutritional composition of barley grain

Summary The grain yield and contents of the quantitatively predominant nutritional constituents of barley grain were determined in nine adapted spring barley varieties each grown at seven European locations with three or four replications.The largest variation in nutritional composition was due to different environmental conditions, but genotypic effects were also present. Interactions between genotype and environment were small. The average protein content at different locations varied from 8.1 to 14.7 per cent of the grain dry matter, and was not simply related to the amount of fertilizer-N applied.The nutritional composition of the grain was influenced by the grain yield level. The percentage of dietary fiber and protein decreased with increasing grain yield, but some varietal differences which were independent of the grain yield level could be established.The protein quality depended upon the protein level, as the protein contained more prolamin relatively to non-prolamin protein at high than at low protein levels. A difference between two varieties in the prolamin/non-prolamin ratio was consistent over a wide range of variation in protein content.     

The Effect of Late-terminal Drought Stress on Yield Components of Four Barley Cultivars

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important winter cereal crop grown in the semiarid Mediterranean, where late‐terminal drought stress during grain filling has recently become more common. The objectives of this study were to investigate the growth performance and grain yield of four barley cultivars under late‐terminal drought stress under both glasshouse and field conditions. At grain filling, four barley cultivars (Rum, ACSAD176, Athroh and Yarmouk) were exposed to three watering treatments: (1) well‐watered [soil maintained at 75 % field capacity (FC)], (2) mild drought stress at 50 % FC, (3) severe drought stress at 25 % FC in the glasshouse experiment and (1) well‐watered (irrigated once a week), (2) mild drought (irrigated once every 2 weeks), (3) severe drought (non‐irrigated; rainfed) in the field. As drought stress severity increased, gross photosynthetic rate, water potential, plant height, grain filling duration, spike number per plant, grain number per spike, 1000‐grain weight, straw yield, grain yield and harvest index decreased. In the glasshouse experiment, the six‐row barley cultivars (Rum, ACSAD176, and Athroh) had higher grain yield than the two‐row barley cultivar (Yarmouk), but the difference was not significant among the six‐row cultivars under all treatments. In the field experiment, Rum had the highest grain yield among all cultivars under the mild drought stress treatment. The two‐row cultivar (Yarmouk) had the lowest grain yield. In general, the traditional cultivar Rum had either similar or higher grain yield than the other three cultivars under all treatments. However, the yield response to drought differed between the cultivars. Those, Rum and ACSAD176, that were capable of maintaining a higher proportion of their spikes and grains per spike during drought also maintained a higher proportion of their yield compared with those in well‐watered treatment. In conclusion, cultivar differences in grain yield were related to spike number per plant and grain number per spike, but not days to heading or grain filling duration.     

Response of Triticale Grain Yield and Yield Components to Number of Cuttings in a Mediterranean Environment

In six field experiments conducted over 2 years, the effect of one or two cuttings on grain yield of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) were investigated. In addition, the relationships between triticale grain yield its components were analysed.
Grain yield of the uncut plots invariably exceeded the plots with one or two cuttings, regardless of the environment or year. The reductions in grain yield caused by one cutting ranged from 27 % to 60 % under rainfed conditions and 18 % to 20 % under irrigation. With two cuttings the reduction was 45 % to 70 % for rainfed, and 35 % to 48 % for irrigated conditions.
The yield components which most influenced grain yield of triticale under cutting treatment were the number of ears m⁻² in all six experiments and the number of grains per ear under rainfed conditions. At the rainfed sites in 1989 cuttings diminished the number of ears m⁻² mainly by increasing plant mortality. Nevertheless, at the rainfed sites of 1990 and at the irrigated site of both years, the reduction in the number of ears m⁻² with cuttings was due principally to a lower survival of tillers per plant.     

施肥及光合调节剂对小麦根系及籽粒产量和蛋白质含量的影响

以在施肥总量相同条件下不同底施和追施比例及光合调节剂的处理，研究了小麦不同时期根系特征及籽粒产量和蛋白质含量。结果表明：氮肥全部底施和提高底施比例有利于增加拔节期和孕穗期的根长密度、根平均直径和根总表面积。各种氮肥处理上述根系特征指标在各土层中均表现为孕穗期比拔节初期数值大。增加追施氮肥的比例有利于     

Impact of Soil Tillage and Crop Rotation on Barley (Hordeum vulgare) and Weeds in a Semi-arid Environment

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of mouldboard‐ or chisel‐ploughing and rotations on barley crops and associated weeds in a semi‐arid location. Two primary soil tillage operations and eight crop rotation‐tillage operation combinations were evaluated over two successive seasons. Drought conditions prevailed (<152 mm annual precipitation) and affected the measured parameters. Barley grown in mouldboard‐ploughed plots had higher biomass compared with chisel‐ploughed plots. Barley grain yield was greater in mouldboard‐ploughed plots in a fallow‐fallow‐barley rotation. Weed species densities varied between tillage systems and rotations. Density of Hordeum marinum, for example, was high in fallow‐barley‐fallow in chisel‐ploughed plots, and was high under more continuous fallow in mouldboard‐ploughed plots. Similar variations were also observed in weed fresh weights and in numbers of seed produced. The results describe the productivity of barley under extremely dry conditions, where an advantage for mouldboard ploughing was observed. The results also indicate the complexity of weed communities in their response towards different tillage‐rotation combinations.