Major

Barley

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Cerveza', 'AC Metcalfe' and 'Newdale'

Summary: The frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves is low in 'Major' whereas it is absent or very low on 'AC Metcalfe'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the flag leaf auricles and the lemma awn tips of 'Major' is weak to medium whereas it is very weak on 'AC Metcalfe'. The plants of 'Major' are shorter than those of 'AC Metcalfe'. The spikes of 'Major' are shorter than those of 'Cerveza' and 'Newdale' and longer than those of 'AC Metcalfe'. The length of the first rachis segment of 'Major' is shorter than that of 'Cerveza' and longer than that of 'AC Metcalfe'. 'Major' has shorter kernel length than 'Cerveza'. 'Major' is resistant to true loose smut (Ustilago nuda) whereas 'Newdale' is very susceptible.

Description:

PLANT: two row, spring malting barley, erect growth habit at tillering, absent or very sparse pubescence on the lower leaf sheaths

FLAG LEAF: low frequency of plants with recurved flag leafs, absent or very weak pubescence on blade
FLAG LEAF SHEATH: very strong glaucosity, absent or very weak pubescence
AURICLES: weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or very weak pubescence on the margins

SPIKE: emerges mid-season, medium to strong glaucosity, erect to semi-erect to horizontal attitude, v-shaped closed cup collar, tapering to parallel shape, medium density, parallel to weakly divergent to divergent attitude of sterile spikelet, glume and awn of the median spikelet is longer than the grain
FIRST SEGMENT OF RACHIS: short, weak to strong curvature
LEMMA AWNS: weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the tips, longer than length of spike, rough spiculations on margins

KERNEL: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of nerves of the lemma at beginning of ripening, whitish aleurone layer, long rachilla hairs, husk present, weak to medium spiculation of inner lateral nerves of dorsal side of lemma, no hairiness of ventral furrow, clasping disposition of lodicules, horseshoe shape basal markings

AGRONOMY: good resistance to lodging, very good malting quality

DISEASE REACTION: moderately susceptible to common root rot (Cochliobolus sativus, Fusarium spp.), moderately resistant to spot blotch (Cochliobolus sativus), Covered smut (Ustilago hordie) and False loose smut, Black semi-loose smut (Ustilago nigra), moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to resistant to net blotch (Pyrenophora teres), susceptible to Septoria speckled leaf blotch (Septoria passerinii), Scald (Rhynchosporium secalis) and Barley yellow dwarf virus, moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to Stem rust (Puccinia graminis) and Fusarium head blight (Scab) (Fusarium graminearum); perfect state (Gibberella zeae) and resistant to True loose smut (Ustilago nigra)

Origin & Breeding History: 'Major' (experimental designation 'TR06297') arose from the cross 'Rivers'/'Newdale' made in 1999 at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Brandon Research Centre, Brandon, Manitoba. Early generations were handled using a modified bulk method. The F1 to F4 generations were sown and bulked in Brandon and Leeston, New Zealand. About 1000 spikes were randomly selected, threshed individually and planted as a single F5 progeny row in the field in Brandon in 2002. One row, which became BM9929-524, was selected based on height, maturity, resistance to lodging, general appearance and field disease reaction. Selected F6 lines were grown as single plots in a preliminary yield test with repeated checks in Brandon in 2003 with further selection for various agronomic, disease resistance and quality characteristics. BM9929-524 was advanced to a replicated yield test at Brandon in 2002 where it was further evaluated. In 2005, BM9929-524 was grown in advanced yield tests and additional malting quality evaluations were conducted. Beginning in 2006, BM9929-524 was advanced to the Western Cooperative Two-row Barley Registration Test where it was evaluated as TR06297. TR06297 was also evaluated in the 2007 and 2008 Collaborative Malting Barley Trials as part of the registration recommending process under the auspices of the Prairie Recommending Committee for Oat and Barley.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Major' were conducted in Brandon, Manitoba during the summers of 2009 and 2010. The trials consisted of 4 replicates of each variety arranged in complete randomized block design. Each plot measured approximately 4 metres long x 1 metre wide spaced approximately 0.5 metres apart with a row spacing of 0.18 metres. Measured characteristics were based on approximately 20 measurements per variety per year.

Comparison tables for 'Major' with reference varieties 'Cerveza', 'AC Metcalfe' and 'Newdale'

Plant height, including awns (cm)

Spike length, excluding awns (cm)

Length of first rachis segment (mm)

Kernel length (mm)

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Barley: 'Major' (right) with reference variety 'Cerveza' (left)

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Barley: 'Major' (right) with reference variety 'AC Metcalfe' (left)

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Barley: 'Major' (right) with reference variety 'Newdale' (left)