GROWTH, PHENOLOGY, AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF BARLEY AND WHEAT GROWN IN ALASKA

The comparative growth, phenology, and yield components of three early-maturing barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were studied during the 1989-1991 growing seasons at Palmer, Alaska. Barley cultivars produced an average of 1.1 more leaves than wheat, and had a smaller (4.5 growing degree days/leaf) phyllochron interval. The early maturity of barley relative to wheat was due mainly to its ability to fill and ripen grain under cool conditions.