CDC Cowboy

Barley

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Seebe', 'CDC Helgason' and 'CDC Trey'

Summary: 'CDC Cowboy' has a higher frequency of recurved flag leaves than 'Seebe' and 'CDC Helgason'. 'CDC Cowboy' has sparser pubescence on the flag leaf blade than the reference varieties. The anthocyanin colouration of the auricles of 'CDC Cowboy' is stronger than in 'CDC Trey'. 'CDC Cowboy' spike emergence is earlier than 'Seebe'. The collar shape of 'CDC Cowboy' is platform while it is cup shaped in 'CDC Helgason' and 'CDC Trey'. The spike glaucosity at the end of pollen development of 'CDC Cowboy' is weaker than the reference varieties. 'CDC Cowboy' has a slightly longer spike than 'CDC Helgason'. The curvature of the first segment of the rachis in 'CDC Cowboy' is weaker than in 'CDC Trey'. 'CDC Cowboy' has a longer glume in relation to the grain in the median spikelet than the reference varieties. The plant height at kernel ripening of 'CDC Cowboy' is taller than the reference varieties. 'CDC Cowboy' has a stronger anthocyanin colouration of the nerves of the lemma of the kernel than the reference varieties. The rachilla hair of the kernel of 'CDC Cowboy' is shorter than 'Seebe'. 'CDC Cowboy' has weaker spiculation of the inner lateral nerves of the dorsal side of the lemma than 'CDC Helgason'.

Description:

PLANT: two row, spring, feed barley, erect juvenile growth habit, green coleoptile colour, intermediate growth habit at tillering stage, absent to very sparse pubescence on sheaths of lower leaves at tillering stage

FLAG LEAF: low to medium frequency of recurving/drooping, weak pubescence on the blade, strong glaucosity on the sheath at heading, very weak pubescence on the sheath, medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the auricles, weak pubescence on the auricle margin

SPIKE: midseason emergence, platform collar shape, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the tips of the lemma awns, erect to semi-erect attitude at the end of pollen development, weak glaucosity, parallel shape, medium to dense, weakly divergent to divergent attitude of the sterile spikelet at ripening, first segment of rachis short to medium in length with a medium curvature, the glume and its awn of the median spikelet is longer relative to the grain, lemma awns are longer relative to the spike, rough barbs present on lemma awns

KERNEL: strong to very strong anthocyanin colouration of the nerves of lemma at ripening, whitish colour of aleurone layer at ripening, husk present, short rachilla hair, weak spiculation of inner lateral nerves of dorsal side of lemma, no hair on ventral furrow, clasping disposition of lodicules, transverse crease to incomplete horseshoe shape of basal markings, long to very long, wide

DISEASE REACTION: resistant to Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis), Covered Smut (Ustilago hordie) and False Loose Smut, Black Semi-Loose Smut (Ustilago nigra); moderately susceptible to Net Blotch (Pyrenophora teres), Common Root Rot (Cochliobolus sativus, Fusarium spp.) and Fusarium Head Blight (Fusarium graminearum; perfect state Gibberella zeae); susceptible to Spot Blotch (Cochliobolus sativus) and Scald (Rhynchosporium secalis); very susceptible to True Loose Smut (Ustilago nuda) and Yellow Dwarf (BYDV)

AGRONOMY: fair lodging resistance, good shattering resistance, good tolerance to neck breaking, good drought tolerance

Origin & Breeding History: 'CDC Cowboy' originates from the cross TR320 x SB91709 made in 1993 by the breeder Brian Rossnagel of the Crop Development Centre. A pedigree breeding system was used to develop this variety. The F1 through F4 generations were grown as bulk populations, with the F2 grown in a winter nursery in California. 'CDC Cowboy' was grown and selected as a single F4 derived F5 hill plot at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1996. The seed from the F5 hill plot was bulked as the line that would become 'CDC Cowboy'. It was tested in CDC yield trials from 1997-2001 as SB97590, followed by testing in the Western Canadian Forage Barley Cooperative trials as FB201 during 2002-2003. Selection criteria included high forage yield, forage quality, physiological maturity, plant height and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials of 'CDC Cowboy' were conducted during the summers of 2005 and 2006 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Plots consisted of 5 rows which were 3.7 meters in length and a row spacing of 20 cm. There were 2 replicates arranged in a Random Complete Block Design.

Comparison tables for 'CDC Cowboy' with reference varieties 'Seebe', 'CDC Helgason' and 'CDC Trey'

Flag Leaf length (cm)

Spike length (excluding awns)(cm)

Plant height at ripening (including awns)(cm)

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Barley: 'CDC Cowboy' (far left) with reference varieties 'Seebe' (center left), 'CDC Helgason' (center right) and 'CDC Trey' (far left)

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Barley: 'CDC Cowboy' (center left) with reference varieties 'Seebe' (far left), 'CDC Helgason' (center right) and 'CDC Trey' (far right)