Barley

This book was written to provide an integrated account of barley, induding its cultivation, nature and uses. An attempt has been made to cut across the unjustified and obstructive divisions between pure science, applied science, technology, botany, biochemistry, agronomy, and so on. Limitations of space preclude the use of more illustrative material or references, or even complete accounts of various topics. However sufficient information is given to enable the reader to understand the general principles and to find his or her way readily into the literature to obtain further information. Emphasis has been placed on general principles rather than details. In becoming familiar with the literature one becomes acquainted with the effects of the cereal or religion, the English language and the development of agriculture and biochemistry. The comparison between 'parallel literatures' is often stimulating also. For example one is forced to conclude that many of the agricultural problems of poor 'seed vigour' would be overcome if seedsmen used the maltsters techniques for breaking dormancy and speeding 'post-harvest maturation'. Barley is the world's fourth most important cereal after wheat, rice, and maize. It is the most widely cultivated, being grown from the equator to 700N (Scandinavia), from the humid regions of Europe and Japan to the Saharan and Asiatic Oases, and from below sea level in Palestine to high up mountains in the Himalayas, E. Africa and S. America. Some­ where in the world it is being sown or harvested at every time of the year. Front Matter....Pages i-xviii The morphology of barley; the vegetative phase....Pages 1-38 The morphology of the reproductive parts in barley....Pages 39-75 The origin and classification of barleys....Pages 76-88 The biochemistry of barley....Pages 89-173 Grain quality and germination....Pages 174-221 The growth of the barley plant....Pages 222-291 Agricultural practices and yield....Pages 292-319 Production and harvesting machinery....Pages 320-338 Weeds, pests and diseases in the growing crop....Pages 339-368 The reception and storage of whole plants and grain. The micro-organisms and pests of stored grain....Pages 369-418 Barley genetics....Pages 419-444 Barley improvement....Pages 445-480 Some actual and potential uses of barley....Pages 481-491 Barley for animal and human food....Pages 492-525 Malting....Pages 526-559 Some uses of barley malt....Pages 560-586 Back Matter....Pages 587-612