E-Malt.com News article: USA: Barley researchers and end-users discuss progress in Scab-resistant barley breeding

Barley researchers and end-users gathered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 3-5, 2013 to participate in the National Fusarium Head Blight Forum to discuss the progress made in developing Fusarium head blight (Scab) resistant barley varieties and the direction of future research, Farm & Ranch Guide reports.

The forum was made possible with funding from the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) as part of its nationwide efforts to combat Scab in wheat and barley called the US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI).

Scab is a fungal infection of wheat and barley heads, and after several years of devastating losses to the disease in the upper Midwest in the mid-90s, Congress provided the USDA-ARS with funding for the USWBSI. Research has not only focused on identifying new sources of resistance, but also on refining techniques to incorporate new resistance into new barley varieties, and on cultural practices that minimize the occurrence and spread of the fungus.

Much of the early work focused on identifying resistance genes, and according to Dr. Brian Steffenson, University of Minnesota, “Most of the world’s major barley collections have been screened for Fusarium resistance”. At the same time, efforts on identifying the best management practices that lower the risk of Fusarium infections, and educating growers on how to integrate these into their operations with current varieties, have greatly helped lower the losses incurred by this disease. Breeders and supporting researchers have made significant strides in incorporating resistance genes into varieties that are adapted to the regions where Scab has been a serious problem. The six-row malting variety Quest was released in 2010 by the University of Minnesota and was grown on several thousand acres in 2013. Quest has half the level of disease, and yields similar to, other malting varieties grown in the upper Midwest. Other potential varieties are being evaluated for their resistance to Scab and their suitability for malting and brewing by the American Malting Barley Association (AMBA).

The disease has become a concern in regions far removed from the Midwest. Ms. Andrea Stanley of Valley Malting in Hadley, MA was the opening speaker at the forum and she noted that a craft malting industry is emerging to supply brewers with malt made from locally grown grain and Scab is a significant problem in many areas were these maltsters are located. Dr. Michael P. Davis, AMBA President noted that “AMBA has begun funding programs to develop and evaluate malting barley varieties adapted to the eastern US and that the USWBSI can play a critical role in supporting the production of malting barley grown outside traditional areas.” Strong research programs have helped ensure a steady domestic supply of quality barley for U.S. brewers, distillers, maltsters and other food manufacturers.


08 January, 2014