E-Malt.com News article: USA, MN: Malting barley varieties 2013 trial results

Spring barley varieties are compared in replicated trials at Crookston, Morris, St. Paul, Stephen and Roseau and in onfarm trials at Fergus Falls, Perley, Oklee, Strathcona and Hallock. Data collected from these trials should be used to make comparisons only among those varieties included in the trials. Yield is reported both for 2013 and a multiyear average as percent of the mean of the trial, Minnesota Farm Guide reported on January 30.

In 2013 the lowest yielding trial, overall, in bu/acre, was at Morris and the highest yield- LSD numbers beneath the yield columns indicate whether the difference between yields is due to genetics or to other factors, such as variations in environment. If yield difference between two entries equals or exceeds the LSD value the higher-yielding entry probably was superior in yield. A difference less than the LSD value is probably due to environmental factors.

Most barley producers in the region grow barley for malt and select varieties approved by the American Malting Barley Association (AMBA). The most important industry specifications for making malting grade are low grain protein (11.5% - 13.5%), kernel plumpness (>80%) and low deoxynivalenol or DON content (<2 ppm). DON is the toxin produced by the Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) pathogen.

The most current AMBA recommended malting barley varieties can be found on its site. Variety selection will also be influenced by contracts made available by malting and brewing companies and these vary from year to year.

In addition to yield and acceptable malt quality, disease resistance plays an important role in variety selection. Disease evaluations are carried out in inoculated field and/or greenhouse experiments. Disease ratings are based on the results of two or more experiments and are scored on a 1–9 scale where 1 = most resistant and 9 = most susceptible.

For most producers the disease FHB and the presence of DON in harvested grain are the two most important factors limiting production of malting barley in the region. The tworowed variety Conlon and the six-rowed variety Quest have a lower disease score for FHB and typically have lower DON compared to the other varieties grown in the region.

Other diseases listed in the disease reactions table are leaf diseases that can be a problem in Minnesota. The two-rowed varieties Conlon, Pinnacle and Rawson tend to be a little more susceptible to spot blotch. Celebration and Conlon are the most resistant to net blotch. Septoria speckled leaf blotch disease has not been seen at any economically important level in Minnesota for more than 10 years. These leaf diseases can be controlled effectively with the use of a fungicide. FHB severity and DON can be reduced with fungicides, but they are not always effective.

Bacterial leaf streak disease has become more prominent in the past few years and tends to become more severe following heavy rain events. This disease cannot be controlled with fungicides. The bacterial leaf streak ratings presented are based on three years of data and at this point show only small differences among varieties for resistance.


31 January, 2014