Characterization of the Ist and IInd group of cereals Ist group: - groove (rýha) is on the bottom side of the kernel - hollow stalk - lesser demands for warmth, higher demands for moisture - winter and spring forms - rapid initial development - they need long day (14 - 16 hours) for formation of generative organs (ears) IInd group: - kernel is without groove - stalk is filled by the pith (dřeň) - higher demands for warmth, lesser demands for moisture - only spring forms - slow initial development - they need short day (less than 14 hours) for formation of generative organs (ears)
Importance and utilization of the cereals • Cereals were used for people nourishment many thousands year ago: - easy grain harvesting - easy storage from harvest to harvest - possibility of making of reserves - favourable proportion of basic nutritional matters - extension in all continents • Cereals are the oldest culture plants • Cereals have a decisive position in ecosystem on arable land (they occupy more than 50% of arable land in temperate zone) • First place among crops in view of importance for people nourishment in the world • Wide adaptation to environmental conditions of all continents (great genetic and varietal diversity) • The biggest ability of all plants to use vegetation factors and environmental conditions for the yield formation