The number 1 UK spring malting barley with outstanding quality characteristics
Yield potential
Optic has consistently produced high yields in trials and on farm over the last ten years, making it a truly reliable and robust variety, sought after by maltsters, brewers, distillers and exporters.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2007.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2007.
Disease resistance
Optic has moderate resistance to mildew and brown rust but has below average Rhynchosporium resistance and a specific treatment will be required. Seedling mildew may affect the crop during a very mild spring, although adult plant resistance is moderate. Optic also offers good resistance against BYDV.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2007.
Fungicide use
Getting early to mid season agronomy right is crucial to establishing a healthy crop.
- T0 - The T0 spray prevents diseases gaining a foothold in long growing seasons or where disease pressure is high. The use of Unix helps keep Rhynchosporium at bay.
- T1 - Timing is key for protecting the canopy during the plants’ main burst of growth. Kayak + Triazole provides broad spectrum disease control.
- T2 - Managing late season plant health is also vitally important to ensure a healthy harvest. This is the key time to protect grain fill with awns and green leaf areas being the key targets. Strobilurins protect against foliar diseases and Chlorothalonil has demonstrated control of biotic and abiotic spotting.
Core fungicide programme
- T0 - Unix and Tern (should be used where mildew disease pressure is high)
- T1 - Kayak + Triazole
- T2 - Amistar Opti + Triazole
Fungicide use - effect on yield and brackling
Source: Syngenta Seeds, Fungicide input trial. Harvest 2003.
Agronomic information
Optic produces excellent results across all areas of the UK. It has good standing power and reasonable length straw. Its late maturity may influence drilling date in the more northerly regions of the country.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2007.
Growth habit
- Early Spring: Semi-prostrate, with medium fast growth
- Tillering ability: Medium
- Maturity: Late
Drilling dates
- Suitability for early drilling: Moderate to good
- Optimum drilling date: January – April
- Suitability for late drilling (April): Good
Source: NFC Trials 2000.
Recommended sowing rate
Seed rates are dependent on soil conditions at the time of drilling: the more difficult the environment the higher the seed rate must be to compensate for potential plant loss. The table below shows the suggested number of seeds per square metre that should be planted under good conditions.
The chart above should always be used in conjunction with the thousand-grain weight of the seed to calculate the sowing rate.
Nitrogen application
Higher nitrogen inputs increase yields and recent advice has been to lift rates for producing higher grain nitrogen lager malt, however end user requirements generally are shifting back towards <1.75N. Applying too much nitrogen pushes screenings and grain nitrogen too high – especially in seasons like 2002 and 2003 when weather conditions did now allow plants to fully utilise available nitrogen. Varieties have different optimum nitrogen rates, therefore balancing N inputs to end market, variety and season is key. While difficult to advise on exact nitrogen rates, the following is a rule of thumb:
- Optic: 125 – 150 kg/ha in most situations
PGRs
NFC advises the use on lush crops and very fertile sites. In these cases use low rate Moddus (0.1 – 0.2 l/ha) at GS 29-30 to stabilise tillers and promote root development.
Quality
Renowned for its reliability, Optic is still the UK’s top selling spring barley, being purchased in significant quantities in both England and Scotland. It is fully approved by the IOB for both Brewing and Distilling.
With its top quality ratings in the UK, Ireland, Germany and France along with exports to Asia and the Far East – it is truly a world class malting barley.
Grain quality
Specific weight: 70.4
TGW: Good
Sieving % through: 2.25mm - 3.0%
Sieving % through: 2.5mm - 10.3%
Nitrogen Content: 1.55N
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2007.
Harvesting priority
Normal priority – it is always advisable to harvest the crop in the best condition as soon as moisture is correct. As with all malting barleys, the variety should be kept separate to prevent contamination and obtain the maximum premium from the end product.
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If you require any more information about this variety, please contact Syngenta Seeds on 01223 883400
Disclaimer
The information given in these pages is for general guidance only. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure it is accurate, it is out of necessity, of a general nature and variation in growing environment or climate and/or changes to legislation, regulations and best practice can render it inaccurate. Syngenta Seeds Limited cannot accept any liability arising out of or in conjunction with the use of this information. Crop protection products should be used in conjunction with manufacturers’ recommendations. Use pesticides safely – always read the label. Consult your agronomist for the most current advice.
