EFFECT OF CULTIVAR ON RESPONSE OF WHEAT A ND BARLEY TO CHLORIDE FERTILIZATION

Crop cultivar has been shown to affect the frequency and magnitude of yield responses to chloride (Cl-) fertilizer applications. Information regarding the Cl- responsiveness of cereal cultivars commonly grown i n western Canada is limited, however. Field experiments were conducted in Manitoba in 1990 and 1991 to determine the effect of Cl- fertiliza tion on plant nutrient status, grain yield and grain quality of Katepw a, Roblin, Biggar and Marshall wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and of Bed ford, Frier, Argyle and Heartland barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Chlorid e fertilization increased the concentration of Cl- in plant tissue of all cultivars. Increased grain yield and improved grain quality due to Cl- fertilization occurred more frequently in wheat than in barley; h owever, cultivars within a species differed in Cl- responsiveness. The application of 50 kg Cl- ha(-1) significantly increased grain yield f or Heartland barley by 905 kg ha(-1) in one of four experiments, for R oblin wheat by 492 kg ha(-1) in one of four experiments, for Biggar wh eat by an average 333 kg ha(-1) in two of four experiments and for Mar shall wheat by an average 363 kg ha(-1) in two of four experiments. Ho wever, the application of 50 kg Cl- ha(-1) resulted in significant red uction in grain yield for Bedford in one of four experiments and for M arshall in one of four experiments. Yield responses to Cl- were not re lated to soil Cl- content or Cl- concentration in plant tissue.