CDC Austenson

Barley

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'CDC Dolly' and 'Xena'

Summary: 'CDC Austenson' has medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the auricles of the flag leaves while it is very strong in 'CDC Dolly' and 'Xena'. The flag leaves of 'CDC Austenson' are longer and wider than either of the reference varieties and has medium to dense pubescence while it is sparse to medium in 'CDC Dolly'. The tips of the lemma awns in 'CDC Austenson' have a medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while it is strong to very strong in 'CDC Dolly'. The anthocyanin colouration of the nerves of the kernel lemma of 'CDC Austenson' is medium to strong while it is strong to very strong for both reference varieties. 'CDC Austenson' is taller than 'CDC Dolly'. 'CDC Austenson' has a shorter first segment of the rachis with weaker curvature than 'Xena'. 'CDC Austenson' has a weak to medium spiculation of the inner lateral nerves of the dorsal side while it is absent to very weak in 'CDC Dolly'.

Description:

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

FLAG LEAF: medium frequency of plants with recurved flag leafs, medium to dense pubescence
FLAG LEAF SHEATH: strong to very strong glaucosity, very sparse to sparse pubescence
AURICLES: medium to strong anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence on the margins

SPIKE: mid-season to late spike emergence, mainly platform shaped collar, medium to strong anthocyanin colouration of the tips of the lemma awns, semi-erect attitude, strong glaucosity, parallel shape, medium to dense density, divergent attitude of sterile spikelet, the length of the glume and its awn of the median spikelet is equal relative to the grain
FIRST SEGMENT OF RACHIS: short to medium length, medium curvature
LEMMA AWNS: longer relative to the spike, rough spiculations from the tip to next to the kernel

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

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

AGRONOMY: fair to good resistance to lodging, good resistance to shattering, good tolerance to straw breakage, fair to good tolerance to drought

Origin & Breeding History: 'CDC Austenson' (experimental designations TR06389 and SB040372) was developed by the barley breeding program at the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan using a pedigree breeding system. It arose from the cross TR358 / 94Ab12271 which was conducted under glass during the summer of 2000 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The F1 thru F4 generations were grown as bulk populations where the F1 and F3 were grown in winter nurseries in New Zealand during the 2000/01 and 2001/02 seasons. The F4 was grown in a field at Saskatoon during the 2002 growing season. 'CDC Austenson' was grown and selected as a single F5 hill plot, was bulked as the line SB040372 and was tested in the University of Saskatchewan yield trials in 2004 and 2005. It was further tested as TR06389 in the Western Canadian Two-Row Cooperative Registration trials during the summers of 2006 and 2007. Selection criteria included high yield potential, improved straw strength, plant maturity, disease resistance and grain quality.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials were conducted during the summers of 2008 and 2009 at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Plots consisted of 5 rows with a row spacing of 0.2 meters and a row length of 3.66 meters. There were 2 replicates arranged in a RCB Design. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 20 measurements per variety per year.

Comparison tables for 'CDC Austenson' with reference varieties 'CDC Dolly' and 'Xena'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (mm)

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Barley: 'CDC Austenson' (centre) with reference varieties 'CDC Dolly' (left) and 'Xena' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Barley: 'CDC Austenson' (centre) with reference varieties 'CDC Dolly' (left) and 'Xena' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Barley: 'CDC Austenson' (centre) with reference varieties 'CDC Dolly' (left) and 'Xena' (right)