Abstract
Four varieties of malty barley were collected for five years, and the yearly variation in various traits influencing yield and apparent grain quality were examined. The variation of these traits was analyzed to determine the yearly variance in the varietal difference. There were no significant genotype × year interactions in the number of ears, but a significant genotype × year interaction was detected in thousand kernel weight, plump grain rate and plump grain yield. The results showed that varietal differences in these traits varied with the years. We suggested that the yearly variation was caused by the difference in precipitation and the time of rainfall. There were no significant varietal differences in inspection grade but there was a significant genotype × year interaction in inspection grade, showing that it was difficult to evaluate varietal differences in inspection grade. Varietal differences in the occurrence of damage grains varied with the year, and the occurrence was suggested to be affected by precipitation, the time of rainfall and poor sunshine.
