Pinnacle

Barley

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Conlon' and 'Rawson'

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the flag leaf auricles of 'Pinnacle' is strong whereas it is medium on 'Rawson' and weak on 'Conlon'. The spikes of 'Pinnacle' emerge mid-season whereas they emerge very early in 'Conlon' and early in 'Rawson'. Spike glaucosity of 'Pinnacle' is weak whereas it is medium on 'Conlon' and strong on 'Rawson'. The spike of 'Pinnacle' is dense whereas it is lax in 'Conlon' and medium in 'Rawson'. The lemma awns of 'Pinnacle' are equal in length to the spike whereas they are longer than the spike on 'Conlon' and 'Rawson'. The plants of 'Pinnacle' are taller than those of 'Conlon'.

Description:

PLANT: two row, spring barley, semi-prostrate growth habit at tillering, medium pubescence on the lower leaf sheaths

FLAG LEAF: high frequency of plants with recurved flag leafs, weak pubescence on blade
FLAG LEAF SHEATH: medium glaucosity, weak pubescence
AURICLES: strong anthocyanin colouration, weak pubescence on the margins

SPIKE: emerges mid-season, platform shaped collar, erect attitude, weak glaucosity, tapering shape, dense, parallel to weakly divergent attitude of sterile spikelet, glume and awn length of the median spikelet is shorter than the grain
FIRST SEGMENT OF RACHIS: medium length and curvature
LEMMA AWNS: no anthocyanin colouration of the tips, equal in length of spike, semi-smooth spiculations on margins

KERNEL: medium anthocyanin colouration of nerves of the lemma at beginning of ripening, whitish aleurone layer, husk present, short rachilla hairs, strong spiculation of inner lateral nerves of dorsal side of lemma, no hairiness on ventral furrow, frontal disposition of lodicules

AGRONOMY: good resistance to lodging

Origin & Breeding History: 'Pinnacle' (experimental designation ND21863) originated from the cross ND15147//F103-5/ND14636/3/ND15468/ND16092//ND16461 made in the fall of 2000 and arose from a modified pedigree breeding method. From the F2 to F4 generations, highly heritable traits such as maturity, plant height, straw strength, kernel colour and awn type were selected. Starting in the F5 generation, selection criteria also included agronomic characteristics (i.e. heading date, plant height, straw strength, grain yield, etc.), disease and malt quality (i.e. grain protein, malt extract, wort protein, kernel plumpness and weight, and enzyme activity). Based on multiple locations and years, 'Pinnacle' was selected for its high yield potential, large kernel size and high kernel weight.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Pinnacle' were conducted during the 2009 growing season at AgQuest (Alberta) Inc. Research Station in Taber, Alberta. A 3 replicate design was planted using 1.5 x 4 metre plots, with 6 rows per plot space 20 cm apart. Measured characteristics were based on 1 year of data. Results were supported by the official technical examination report purchased from the Plant Variety Protection Office in the U.S.A.

Comparison table for 'Pinnacle' with reference varieties 'Conlon' and 'Rawson'

Plant height (cm)

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Barley: 'Pinnacle' (left) with reference varieties 'Conlon' (centre) and 'Rawson' (right)