Champion

Barley

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Xena' and 'McLeod'

Summary: The pubescence on the blade and auricle margins of flag leaf of 'Champion' is sparser than 'Xena'. 'Champion' has weaker anthocyanin colouration of the auricles than 'Xena' and 'McLeod'. The spike attitude of 'Champion' is more erect than 'Xena'. 'Champion' has a tapering spike shape while it is parallel shaped in 'Xena' and 'McLeod'. The spike density of 'Champion' is greater than 'McLeod'. 'Champion' has the glume and awn equal in length relative to the grain of the median spikelet , while it is longer in 'Xena' and shorter in 'McLeod'. The plant height of 'Champion' is taller than 'McLeod'. 'Champion' has longer rachilla hair on the kernel than 'McLeod'. The kernel of 'Champion' has stronger spiculation of the inner lateral nerves of the dorsal side of the lemma than 'Xena' and 'McLeod'. 'Champion' has more hair on the ventral furrow of the kernel than 'Xena'. The disposition of the lodicles of the kernel of 'Champion' is clasping while it is more frontal in 'McLeod'.

Description:

PLANT: two row, spring feed barley, erect juvenile growth habit, green coleoptile, absent or very sparse pubescence on the sheaths of the lower leaves, semi-erect to intermediate growth habit

FLAG LEAF: very sparse to sparse pubescence on the blade, medium glaucosity on the sheath at heading, very sparse to sparse pubescence on the sheath, very weak anthocyanin colouration of the auricles, very sparse pubescence on the auricle margins

SPIKE: mid-season emergence, slightly v-shaped collar, strong anthocyanin colouration of the tips of the lemma awns, erect to semi-erect attitude, strong glaucosity, tapering shape, lax to medium density, parallel attitude of the sterile spikelet, short to medium length of first segment of rachis at ripening, medium to strong curvature of first segment of rachis at ripening, the length of the glume and awn relative to grain of the median spikelet is equal, lemma awns are longer relative to spike, lemma awns are rough

KERNEL: whitish aleurone layer, husk present, long rachilla hair, weak spiculation of inner lateral nerves of dorsal side of lemma, sparse hairiness of the ventral furrow, clasping disposition of lodicules, horseshoe shaped basal markings, medium to long length, medium width

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Champion' was developed by WestBred LLC, Bozeman, Montana from a cross made in 1997 between Baroness / Camas. The F1 seed was planted near Yuma, Arizona in 1997, with the F2 seed harvested in April 1998. The F2 seed was planted near Bozeman, Montana in September 1998 where spikes were selected from the F2 plants and used to plant single F3 rows near Bozeman in May 1999. Single spikes were selected from the F3 rows in September 1999 and planted as single rows near Bozeman, Montana in May 2000. Single spikes were selected from the F4 rows in October 2000 and planted as single F5 rows in Yuma, Arizona in November 2000. Agronomically desired rows were selected, harvested and given permanent numbers. One such row was given the experimental designation YU501-385. The F6 seed from this row was used to plant plots near Bozeman, Montana and near Calgary, Alberta. Seed from the Bozeman plot was harvested in September 2001 and used to plant replicated yield trials near Bozeman, Montana and three locations in Alberta in May 2002. Continued yield testing of the F8-11 generations was performed in 2003-2006 in the states of Washington, Idaho, Montana and the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

'Champion' was entered into the Canadian Western 2-row Barley Coop trial in the spring of 2004 and 2005 under the designation 'TR04-719'. 'Champion' was also tested simultaneously throughout the Pacific Northwest in the state extension trials and the Western Regional Spring Barley Nursery in 2004 and 2005.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials were conducted during the summers of 2006 and 2007 in Neapolis, Alberta. Plots consisted of 5 rows per variety, with a row spacing 23 of centimetres and a row length of 5 meters. There were 3 replicates arranged in an RCB design.

Comparison table for 'Champion' with reference varieties 'Xena' and 'McLeod'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Barley: 'Champion' (left) with reference varieties 'Xena' (centre) and 'McLeod' (right)