February 13th 1999

Barley varieties: Northern list adds diversity

Andy Doyle reports

DESPITE being relatively close geographically, the Northern Ireland recommended list of spring barleys for 1999 has only one variety in common with the southern list. That variety is Century.

In the more difficult climatic conditions in the northern regions these varieties generally prove more durable. Many growers in Donegal will pay considerable attention to both the varieties and the ratings of the varieties within the Northern trial system.

The recommended varieties are Riviera, Delibes, Dandy, Static, and Century. The variety 'Ferment' is noted on the recommended list but not recommended although there is seed available.

The yield ratings are expresses as both 'treated with fungicide' and 'untreated with fungicide'. Yield rankings change somewhat depending on whether the varieties received fungicide or not.

Variety comments
Dandy

Has been around for some time and is now only recommended for special use. Yield with fungicide is lowish but yield does not suffer greatly when left untreated. This is as a result of good disease resistance. It is reasonably well suited to low input production.

Straw is described as strong despite being very long. Resistance to neck break is very good and resistance to brackling is average. The tall straw results in high straw yields.

It has excellent resistance to mildew and good resistance to rhyncho.

Grain size is very big and again this is reflected in a high specific weight. It is an early maturing variety.

Riviera

Recommended for general use. Has proven to be a very high yielding variety both with and without fungicide.

It has the lowest rating for straw strength on the list but is still described as having 'quite good' standing power. It is average on brackling but a bit prone to neck-break.

It has excellent mildew resistance but there are fears that this may be breaking down. It has average resistance to rhyncho and BYDV.

Grain quality is excellent with very big grains producing a high specific weight.

Delibes

Fully recommended but with only above average yield potential. Yield without fungicide is low.

Straw is short with good standing power, good resistance to neck break but average resistance to brackling. Straw yield is on the low side.

Rhyncho resistance is better than Riviera but it only has average mildew resistance. It has good resistance to net blotch.

Grain size and specific weight are average.

Static

Provisionally recommended with a very high yield potential both with and without fungicide.

Straw is short and standing power is good. It shows average resistance to brackling and neck break. The short straw again gives low straw yield.

It also has excellent resistance to mildew but resistance to rhyncho is only average.

Grain size and specific weight are slightly above average.

Century

Provisionally recommended with high yield potential both with and without fungicide.

Straw is shortish but with very good standing power. It is described as average with regard to brackling but very susceptible to neck break. Straw yields are said to be low.

It is showing excellent mildew resistance combined with good resistance to rhyncho.

Grain size is small but specific weight is on the high side of average.

Ferment

Not recommended but it is rated for all the relative characteristics. It is an average yielder without fungicide but is with the best when no fungicide is used. Like Dandy, it is well suited to production without fungicides but it is much higher yielding.

Straw length is similar to Riviera but with better standing power. Resistance to brackling and neck break are described as average.

Like most of the other varieties, resistance to mildew is excellent. Rhyncho resistance is described as 'quite good'.