RGT Planet

Barley

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Bornholm', 'CDC Austenson' and 'Conestogo'

Summary: At the 5 to 9 tiller stage, 'RGT Planet' has a semi-erect growth habit whereas 'CDC Austenson' and 'Conestogo' have an erect growth habit. The plants of 'RGT Planet' head earlier than the plants of 'CDC Austenson'. The sterile spikelet of 'RGT Planet' has a rudimentary development whereas those of the reference varieties are fully developed.

Description:

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

FLAG LEAF: weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on auricles

SPIKE: emerges early to mid-season, weak to medium glaucosity at end of anthesis, semi-erect to horizontal attitude, platform to cup shaped collar, lax to medium density
STERILE SPIKELET: rudimentary development
LEMMA AWNS: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of tips, longer than spike

KERNEL: short rachilla hairs, husk present, hairless ventral furrow

Origin & Breeding History: 'RGT Planet' (experimental designation LSB0769-3306) was developed using a double haploid system combined with the selections of resultant lines from microplots. In 2009, the cross between 'TamTam', as the female parent, and 'Concerto', as the male parent, was conducted at Cambridge in the United Kingdom. From the F1 generation, double haploids were produced in Gatersleben, Germany. From 2009 to 2010, the variety was advanced from the DH1 generation to the DH2 generation based on grain yield, standability and quality characters such as specific weight, disease resistance, lodging resistance, cold resistance and malting quality with one line designated as LSB0769-3306. Breeder seed was established from the DH2 line in 2011.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'RGT Planet' were conducted in Oak Bluff, Manitoba during the 2021 and 2023 growing seasons. There were 4 replicates per variety arranged in an RCB design. Each plot was 3.25 square metres and consisted of four 4.5 m long rows spaced 0.18 m apart. The seeding density was 307 seeds per metre squared resulting in approximately 4000 plants per variety per year. Measured characteristics were based on 20 measurements per variety per year.

Comparison table for 'RGT Planet' with reference varieties 'Bornholm', 'CDC Austenson' and 'Conestogo'

Time of spike emergence (number of days from planting to when the first spikelet is visible on 50% of the spikes)

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Barley: 'RGT Planet' (left) with reference varieties 'Bornholm' (centre left), 'CDC Austenson' (centre right) and 'Conestogo' (right)

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Barley: 'RGT Planet' (left) with reference varieties 'Bornholm' (centre left), 'CDC Austenson' (centre right) and 'Conestogo' (right)