Up-and-coming malting barley performs well in Scottish trials
8 March 2010
An up-and-coming spring malting barley variety which could give growers an important new option for targeting both malt and grain distilling markets has also produced high treated yield results in independent Scottish trials.
Forensic, from Syngenta Seeds, produced a top mean treated yield figure of 8.13 t/ha across four trials conducted by Scottish Agronomy last season, says Syngenta Seeds malting barley business manager, Robert Hiles. Three of the trials were carried out for the HGCA Recommended List.
A total of 21 different spring barley varieties were tested in the work, with sites in Roxburghshire, Glenrothes, Kincardineshire and Ross-shire. The next-highest mean treated yield figure, of 8.01 t/ha, was from feed variety Garner, the Scottish Agronomy results show.
“At the Glenrothes site, Forensic yielded an impressive 9.14 t/ha,” says Robert Hiles, “while across all four sites it never dropped below 7.05 t/ha.
“We already know the properties of Forensic which look promising from a quality viewpoint – for example, it already has provisional 1 Institute of Brewing and Distilling approval for malt and grain distilling, and is a non-GN variety. However, what these latest results underline is the yield potential it offers for Scottish growers.
“Previously, we’ve already seen that the relative grain yield of Forensic was higher in Scotland than in England – which gives a good indication of its suitability for Northern conditions. Now, these 2009 results add to this,” he notes.
“In Scottish Agronomy work in 2008, Forensic similarly produced an impressive 9.4 t/ha. It is also slightly earlier maturing than Optic, and, like the distilling option Publican, it has shown good resistance to brackling,” he adds.
Andrew Gilchrist, managing director of Scottish Agronomy, agrees that over two years its yield figures have looked good.
“We felt it was a pretty strongly-performing variety,” confirms Mr Gilchrist, “it’s obviously got yield. What growers need are new, high-yielding and consistently-performing varieties which will achieve a premium.
“From an agronomic point of view it looks like a very promising variety. It’s pretty good on brackling, it’s got nice grain characteristics, and fairly low screenings.” The key, now, to its future success will be the level of end user interest, he adds.
According to Mr Gilchrist, IBD approval indicates whether a variety has the traits which end users want, while the next stage is to test whether it meets requirements for processability. For grain distilling, end users want high enzyme activity, which is what Forensic has, he points out.
“Forensic is entering further malting tests by the industry,” says Robert Hiles, “which is good news. What makes Forensic potentially suited to grain distilling – as well as malt distilling – is indeed its high enzyme activity.
“A variety which is suited to both markets can give growers more flexibility. However it is still essential to target a particular market from the start and adjust agronomy accordingly, as specifications do differ between the two markets. Varieties for malt distilling require low grain N, while for grain distilling high N is needed,” he adds.
With the industry continuing to test Forensic and more farmers potentially growing it, it’s well worth getting the best from the variety with agronomy, says Syngenta Seeds head of product development, Simon Phillips. Drilling, nitrogen application and disease management are worthwhile areas, he notes.
“Optimum drilling time for Forensic is mid March to early April in Scotland, or March if growing in England,” explains Mr Phillips. “Suggested seed rates per square metre if planted in good conditions in Scotland are 375 for March planting, or 375-400 in April. For England, these should be adjusted to 350 in March or 350-375 in April.”
For nitrogen use, Mr Phillips says trials indicate that growers should look at fertiliser timing if looking to increase grain protein levels, not just at nitrogen dose. A total of 120 kg/ha of N was applied in trials, though growers should always take into account their field fertility, seasonal conditions and end market requirements, he adds.
“If growing Forensic for malt distilling, consider applying all fertiliser by growth stage 15. Seedbed conditions affect applications. So for good seedbeds and good conditions, consider applying 75% of the total N when tramlines are visible and the remainder two weeks later. For poor seedbeds or poor establishment conditions, consider 25% applied to the seedbed and 75% when tramlines are visible. And for late-drilled crops, consider applying all the N to the seedbed, or 75% in the seedbed and 25% when tramlines are showing,” he adds.
Alternatively, if growing for grain distilling, Mr Phillips says land with good fertility will be most suitable. Also, the total N dose may need increasing by an extra 20% over malt crops, he notes, and crops shouldn’t be planted too early. “In the case of grain distilling, only 25% of the total N should be applied in the seedbed, with top dressing split between GS 15 and GS 26.
“For crop protection, fungicides should be tailored to protect against Rhynchosporium and control mildew at T1, and to retain green leaf area to protect grain-filling at T2.
“A core fungicide programme would be half rate morpholine at T0 in high disease pressure situations, followed by Kayak + Bravo + prothioconazole at T1, and Amistar Opti + prothioconazole at T2. Cyprodinil in Kayak is excellent for protection against Rhynchosporium and net blotch, while chlorothalonil, in Bravo and Amistar Opti, has demonstrated excellent activity against barley spotting.
“Normally a PGR may not be required. But for lush crops, very fertile sites, or if being grown with higher levels of fertiliser, a low rate Moddus at GS 29-30 should be considered to promote rooting and stabilise tillers,” he adds.
