Effect of sulphur foliar application on yield and grain quality of selected malting barley varieties

Abstract

The aim of the experiment was to assess the influence of foliar application of sulphur on grain yield, N-substances and sulphur content in the grain. The content of dimethylsulphide (DMS) and its precursors (PDMS) of malt were determined. The study was performed in the form of a smallplot field trial between the years of 2010 and 2012, at a field trial station in Žabčice (South Moravia). Three malting barley varieties for the production of Czech beer (Aksamit, Bojos and Radegast) and three malting barley varieties for the production of export beer (Prestige, Jersey and Sebastian) were tested in that period. Sulphur (8 kg S per ha) was applied on leaves in the form of a suspension of micronized elementary sulphur with bentonite in stem elongation-first node (BBCH 31) and before end of heading (BBCH 57) of growth stages. Sulphur fertilization in both vegetation phases increased significantly grain yield and the most significant increase was detected after the application in BBCH 57. On the other hand, there was no accumulation of sulphur in the grain nor an increase in N-substances content. Sulphur fertilization did not increase DMS and PDMS content of malt as well.