Breton

Barley

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Vivar'

Summary: The frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves is low on 'Breton' whereas the frequency is high on 'Vivar'. The flag leaves of 'Breton' are longer and wider than those of 'Vivar'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration at the tips of the lemma awns of 'Breton' is medium whereas the intensity is weak on 'Vivar'. The plants of 'Breton' are taller with longer spikes than those of 'Vivar'. The lemma awns of 'Breton' are smooth whereas they are rough on 'Vivar'.

Description:

PLANT: two row, spring feed barley
YOUNG PLANT: semi-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, weak pubescence on blade
FLAG LEAF SHEATH: weak glaucosity, weak pubescence
AURICLES: absent to very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, weak pubescence on the margins

SPIKE: emerges mid-season, weak glaucosity, semi-erect attitude, platform shaped collar, tapering shape, medium density, divergent attitude of sterile spikelet, glume and awn of the median spikelet are longer than the grain
LEMMA AWNS: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the tips, longer than length of spike, smooth spiculations on margins
FIRST SEGMENT OF RACHIS: medium length, weak curvature

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Breton' (experimental designations H98082003, BT589) was developed at the Field Crop Development Centre, Lacombe, Alberta using a modified bulk pedigree method. It arose from the cross 'CDC Battleford' / 'AC Lacombe' made in 1998. The F2 generation was grown at Lacombe in 1999, and the F3 was grown in El Centro, California during the winter of 1999-2000. The F4 to F7 generations were grown in bulk populations at Lacombe from 2000 to 2003. From the F7 bulk, 200 heads were selected to be grown as F8 head rows in 2004. From these head rows, the line H98082003 was selected to be grown in yield trials from 2005-11. In 2008, 200 heads were grown out from a bulk increase plot as individual rows. In 2010, H98082003 was tested as BT589 in the Western Six Row Barley Cooperative Test. Selection criteria included grain yield, test weight, 1000 kernel weight, lodging resistance, disease resistance, maturity and forage yield and quality.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials were conducted during the summers of 2012 and 2013 in Lacombe, Alberta. Plots consisted of 8 rows with a row spacing of 0.14 metres and a row length of 2.5 metres. There were 3 replicates. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 20 measurements each year.

Comparison tables for 'Breton' with reference variety 'Vivar'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (mm)

Plant height (cm)

Spike length (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Barley: 'Breton' (right) with reference variety 'Vivar' (left)