Very high yielding spring malting barley
Yield potential
Publican is a very high yielding spring malting barley with provisional IBD approval for distilling and
excellent agronomics.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2008.
Publican has produced excellent yields across all regions of the UK, demonstrating that it is a very consistent variety to grow.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2008.
Disease resistance
Publican has exceptional disease resistance to mildew and Rhynchosporium. However, a managed fungicide programme is recommended.
Fungicide use
Getting early to mid season agronomy right is crucial to establishing a healthy crop.
- T0 - Needed ONLY in extreme disease pressure situations.
- T1 - Key application timing to protect the canopy during the plants’ main burst of growth.
- T2 - To ensure the crop is healthy at harvest, protecting the grain fill and green leaf areas, vital for maintaining grain quality.
Core fungicide programme
- T1 - Kayak + Triazole GS30 (will give control of a broad spectrum of disease).
- T2 - Amistar Opti + Triazole GS39-45 (protection against foliar disease and control of biotic
and abiotic spotting).
Agronomic information
Publican is a relatively short and very stiff variety with excellent resistance to lodging and brackling. Publican has a similar maturity to Optic.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2008.
Growth habit
- Early Spring: Semi-prostrate
- Tillering ability: Medium
- Maturity: Medium to late
Drilling dates
- Suitability for early drilling: Good
- Optimum drilling date: February – March (Scotland). January – February (England)
- Suitability for late drilling (April): Good
Recommended sowing rate
Seed rates are dependent on soil conditions at the time of drilling, the more difficult the environment the higher the seed rates should be to compensate for potential plant loss.
Publican is a very adaptable and robust variety which suits many field situations. New Farm Crops’ trial results confirm that in good conditions there are no detrimental effects to Publican’s yield or grain quality by altering seed rates.
The table below shows the suggested number of seeds per square metre that should be planted under good conditions. These figures should always be used in conjunction with the thousand grain weight of the seed.
Nitrogen application
On average 70%+ of spring malting barley purchased in Scotland is under 1.55 grain N.
Varieties have different optimum nitrogen rates, therefore balancing N inputs to end market, variety and season is key.
Ensure you have checked levels with your contract and end market.
New Farm Crops’ nitrogen input trials have shown the following effects to changes in N timing and quantity for Publican:
- Altering the timing of N did not significantly effect the levels of grain N.
- Increasing the total levels of N did increase grain N levels.
- The biggest increase in yield was shown when application was made early.
- Publican has inherently lower levels of grain N than Optic in all situations.
In most situations the recommended amount of N for Publican would be: 120-150kg/ha.
The graph below shows the effect of timing and application on Publican’s grain nitrogen levels, 1st application made at GS11, the 2nd at GS21 and the 3rd at GS28.
Source: Syngenta Seeds contracted trials harvest 2007.
PGRs
Normally not required, however NFC advises their use on lush crops or 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
Publican has provisional IBD approval for distilling in the UK. Publican is also currently being tested and evaluated across Europe (including France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Holland) for use as a brewing variety which may offer potential export opportunities.
Publican appears to possess a very ‘balanced profile’ in quality attributes required by European customers, including good Hot Water Extract (HWE), good levels of DP and low beta glucan.
Grain quality
Publican has big, bold grain resulting in very low screenings.
Specific weight: 69.2 kg/hl
Sieving % through: 2.25mm - 1.9%
Sieving % through: 2.5mm - 5.4%
Nitrogen Content: 1.56N
TGW: Good
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2008.
Publican also has low gape and skinning levels.
Source: Syngenta Seeds Trial Harvest 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.
Storage management
Correct storage of malting barley is a priority to ensure harvest quality remains. Malting barley should be at a moisture of below 14.5% to minimise the risk of moulds and dried in such a way so there is no damage to the germination.
Grain temperatures and moistures should be regularly checked to ensure quality is maintained and germination levels are kept at 98% plus.
Download this page in pdf format
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.
