Oreana

Barley

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Xena', 'Champion' and 'Brahma'

Summary: The glaucosity of the flag leaf sheaths of 'Oreana' is very weak whereas it is medium on 'Xena' and weak to medium on 'Brahma'. The flag leaves of 'Oreana' are longer than those of 'Xena' and 'Brahma' and shorter than those of 'Champion'. The flag leaves of 'Oreana' are wider than those of 'Xena' and 'Brahma'. The spike attitude of 'Oreana' is erect whereas it is semi-erect for 'Xena' and 'Brahma'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the nerves of the lemma of 'Oreana' is absent or very weak whereas it is medium to strong for 'Xena', medium for 'Champion' and weak to medium for 'Brahma'. The plants of 'Oreana' are shorter and later maturing than those of the reference varieties. The sterile spikelet of 'Oreana' is not reduced whereas it is reduced in the reference varieties. The kernel of 'Oreana' is narrower than that of the reference varieties.

Description:

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

FLAG LEAF: weak pubescence on blade
FLAG LEAF SHEATH: very weak glaucosity, sparse pubescence
AURICLES: very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or very sparse pubescence on margins

SPIKE: emerges early to mid-season, very weak to weak glaucosity, erect attitude, platform collar shape, parallel shape, dense to very dense, parallel to weakly divergent attitude of sterile spikelet, glume and awn length of the median spikelet are equal in length to the grain
LEMMA AWNS: no anthocyanin colouration of the tips, longer than length of spike, rough spiculations on margins
FIRST SEGMENT OF RACHIS: short, weak curvature

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, absent or very weak spiculation of inner lateral nerves of dorsal side of lemma, no hairiness on ventral furrow, clasping disposition of lodicules, horseshoe shape basal markings, medium length and width

AGRONOMY: good resistance to lodging, fair to good resistance to shattering

Origin & Breeding History: 'Oreana' (experimental designation 'BZ509-448' and 'TR12735') originated from the cross 'Champion' / 'YU501-312' made in the field near Bozeman, Montana in July, 2005 and was advanced using the standard pedigree method. The F1 was grown near Yuma, Arizona in September 2005 and F2 seed was planted near Bozeman in May, 2006. Single F2 spikes were selected in September, 2006, threshed in bulk and planted as an F3 population in May, 2007 near Bozeman, Montana. Several F4 spikes from this cross were selected for the feed barley market and for the characteristics of straw strength, short stature, test weight, plump kernels and high tillering plants. These were planted as single F4 rows and were harvested in the fall of 2008. One such row was selected and designated 'BZ509-448'. The F6 through F9 generations were tested for grain yield and other agronomic traits from 2010 through 2013 near Bozeman, Montana and throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. 'TR12735' was tested in the Canadian Two Row Barley Coop in 2012 and 2013 and was recommended for registration by the Prairie Recommending Committee for Oat and Barley in 2014.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Oreana' were conducted in Neapolis, Alberta during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. The trials were planted in a RCB design and consisted of 3 replicates of each variety, with each variety grown and replicated 3 times in each replicate. Each replicate was approximately 5 metres in length with 5 rows per replicate spaced 0.23 metres between rows. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 25 measurements per variety per year.

Comparison tables for 'Oreana' with reference varieties 'Xena', 'Champion' and 'Brahma'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (cm)

Plant height (cm)

Days to maturity

Kernel width (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Barley: 'Oreana' (left) with reference varieties 'Xena' (centre left), 'Champion' (centre right) and 'Brahma' (right)