United Kingdom: Propino could take 10% of the English spring barley area this year

While Tipple and, to a lesser extent, Quench, continue to dominate the English malting barley scene, Propino, a relative newcomer is finding favour with maltsters and could soon be giving established varieties a run for their money, Farmers Weekly Interactive reported on January, 1.

Propino, from Syngenta Seeds, could take 10% of the English spring barley area in 2011, the company's malting barley development manager Simon Phillips said.

Although the variety is six months away from being considered for full recommendation, several merchants are offering contracts, reflecting increasing maltster interest, he says.

"Maltsters' and Brewing Research Institute tests are showing excellent results," he says. "It is also doing well in Europe, like Tipple and Quench. That will provide increasing marketing opportunities for UK growers."

Alan Ridealgh, managing director of Muntons, says his firm is trialling 1000-2000 tonnes of the variety from the 2010 harvest and expects to increase that to 5000-10,000 tonnes in 2011.

The variety's high hot water extract figure points to good alcohol yield, and high levels of diastatic activity suit lager production. It also has a low beta-glucan score, desirable for beer clarity.

"It is unusual to have all these traits in one variety - it looks to be a good barley all round," he says. "I have no doubt it will go through to full approval in June."

Propino, in its second year of recommendation, scores 107% for treated yield in the 2011 Recommended List, which puts it in top spot along with Limagrain's newcomer, Panther.

Propino is strong on mildew and rhynchosporium, scoring seven and eight respectively, he adds. A five for brown rust means this disease will need to be watched.

"It also has good resistance to lodging, scoring an eight, and the same for brackling resistance. That will make it easier to manage at harvest," Mr Phillips notes.

Being a medium-tillering variety, he advises a target seed rate of 350 seeds/sq for the best yield/quality combination.

Nitrogen should be applied in two splits; 25% at GS11, when tramlines become visible - about seven days later than the standard timing - and 75% about a week later, at GS15. That helps maintain yield, he explains.

However, while that approach achieved 0.4t/ha more yield than the standard timing in Syngenta trials in 2009, it also raised grain N by about 0.2%. "It's important to know which market you are aiming for, as this will determine the amount of N applied."

For disease control, Mr Phillips recommends a two-spray programme. "A T1 will protect the canopy during the main burst of growth, and a T2 will protect grain fill and green leaf area."

06 January, 2011