CDC ExPlus

Barley

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AC Metcalfe' and 'CDC McGwire'

Summary: 'CDC ExPlus' has a medium frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves while it is a low frequency in 'AC Metcalfe'. The flag leaf auricle of 'CDC ExPlus' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while it is a medium intensity for 'AC Metcalfe'. 'CDC ExPlus' has a longer flag leaf than the reference varieties. The spike attitude in 'CDC ExPlus' is erect to semi-erect while it is mainly horizontal in 'CDC McGwire'. The kernel of 'CDC ExPlus' has absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration of the nerves of the lemma while it is medium to strong in 'CDC McGwire'. The kernel of 'CDC ExPlus' has short rachilla hair while it is long for the reference varieties. 'CDC ExPlus' is a hull-less barley while 'AC Metcalfe' is not. 'CDC ExPlus' has good resistance to lodging while it is fair in 'CDC McGwire'.

Description:

PLANT: two row, hulless, spring malting barley, semi-erect to intermediate growth habit at tillering, very sparse to sparse pubescence on the lower leaf sheaths, medium frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves

AURICLES: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, weak pubescence on the margins
FLAG LEAF SHEATH: strong glaucosity, weak to medium pubescence
FLAG LEAF: medium to strong pubescence on blade

SPIKE: mid-season emergence, strong glaucosity, erect to semi-erect attitude, platform shaped collar, parallel shape, dense, divergent attitude of sterile spikelet, glume and awn of the median spikelet is equal in length to the grain
FIRST SEGMENT OF RACHIS: short, medium curvature
LEMMA AWNS: medium 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 the end of anthesis, whitish aleurone layer, short rachilla hairs, medium to strong spiculation of inner lateral nerves of dorsal side of lemma, hairiness of ventral furrow absent, clasping disposition of lodicules, incomplete horseshoe shape of basal markings, medium to long, wide

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'CDC ExPlus' (experimental designations HB402, SM03480h) originated from the cross 'HB353' / 'TR167' made under glass at the Crop Development Centre (CDC) in 2000 using the modified pedigree breeding system. 'HB353' is a two-row hulless barley breeding line that originated from the cross 'CDC Freedom' / 'TR329'. 'TR167' is a two-row hulled barley breeding line that originated from the cross 'BM8802-41 / 'SM92260'. The F1 and F2 generations were grown as bulk populations with the F1 grown under glass in 2000 and 2001 and the F2 grown in the field in 2001. The F3 and F4 generations were grown as single seed derived lines during the winter of 2001 and 2002. It was then grown and selected in the field as a F5 row plot in Saskatoon in 2002. The seed from the F5 row plot was bulked as the line that became 'SM03480h'. It was tested in CDC yield trials in 2003 and 2004 followed by testing in the Western Canadian Hulless Barley Cooperative Trials as 'HB402' during the years 2006 and 2007. Selection criteria included good overall agronomic performance, improved malting quality including higher extract, lower beta glucan, and higher enzymes and resistance to loose smut and stem rust.

Tests & Trials: Tests and Trials were conducted in 2009 and 2011 at the Crop Development Centre of the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Plots consisted of 5 rows with a row length of 3.66 meters and a row spacing of 0.2 meters. There were 2 replicates in 2009 and 3 replicates in 2011 arranged in a RCB design each year.

Comparison table for 'CDC ExPlus' with reference varieties 'AC Metcalfe' and 'CDC McGwire'

Flag leaf length (cm)

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Barley: 'CDC ExPlus' (centre) with reference varieties 'AC Metcalfe' (left) and 'CDC McGwire' (right)

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Barley: 'CDC ExPlus' (centre) with reference varieties 'AC Metcalfe' (left) and 'CDC McGwire' (right)

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Barley: 'CDC ExPlus' (centre) with reference varieties 'AC Metcalfe' (left) and 'CDC McGwire' (right)