Comparison of the Culm Characteristics of ‘Kashimamugi’ Which Culms Prone to Breakage After Maturity and ‘Kashimagoal’ Which Has Resistance to Culm Breakage

Abstract

‘Kashimamugi’, a six-rowed barley cultivar, is prone to culm breakage after maturity. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of culm breakage after maturity of ‘Kashimamugi’, and examined the culm characteristics of ‘Kashimamugi’, and ‘Kashima Goal’ which is also a six-rowed barley and has resistance for culm breakage after maturity. The breakage after maturity occurred in the upper part and lower part of the first internode and sometimes occurred on the second internode. The culm of ‘Kashimagoal’ had a smaller section module and larger bending stress than that of ‘Kashimamugi’. The culm of ‘Kashimagoal’ had also a thicker epidermal cell layer and higher lignin content than that of ‘Kashimamugi’. The culm moisture of ‘Kashimagoal’was maintained until maturity, and the reduction of dry matter was small. The bending stress and bending moment at breaking of ‘Kashimagoal’ were maintained until maturity, which was assumed to be related to the resistance of the stem breakage after maturity.