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Annual Progress Report on Malting Barley Research March, 2007

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Investigati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> <strong>Barley</strong> Diseases and Their C<strong>on</strong>trol<br />

Brian J. Steffens<strong>on</strong><br />

Department of Plant Pathology<br />

University of Minnesota<br />

ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT<br />

Executive Summary<br />

Plant diseases are <strong>on</strong>e of the most important c<strong>on</strong>straints to barley (Hordeum<br />

vulgare) producti<strong>on</strong> and quality in the United States. Our Cereal Disease Resistance<br />

Project is part of the Minnesota <strong>Barley</strong> Improvement Program team that develops sixrowed<br />

malting barley cultivars for the Midwest. The primary missi<strong>on</strong> of the Cereal<br />

Disease Resistance Project at the University of Minnesota is the c<strong>on</strong>trol of ec<strong>on</strong>omically<br />

important barley diseases. For many diseases, this goal is best achieved through the<br />

development of cultivars with genetic resistance. Thus, the l<strong>on</strong>g-term goal of this<br />

project is to develop the knowledge base, resources, and germplasm for achieving<br />

durable disease resistance in malting barley cultivars. In additi<strong>on</strong> to these goals, it is<br />

also essential to c<strong>on</strong>duct disease surveys and m<strong>on</strong>itor pathogen populati<strong>on</strong>s for new<br />

virulence types. In 2006, breeding lines were sown for evaluati<strong>on</strong> for resistance to spot<br />

blotch, Septoria speckled leaf blotch (SSLB), and net blotch. Durable resistance has<br />

been achieved for spot blotch. Our evaluati<strong>on</strong>s ensure that this resistance is not lost<br />

when exotic material is introgressed into the breeding program. Indeed, we identified<br />

several susceptible lines from Busch Agricultural Resources, Inc. (BARI) breeding<br />

program in this tests. These lines have now been discarded. We are also working <strong>on</strong><br />

increasing the level of resistance to SSLB and net blotch in the Minnesota program.<br />

Toward this end, we have identified a number of agr<strong>on</strong>omically advanced lines with high<br />

levels of resistance to both diseases. Our annual disease survey was c<strong>on</strong>ducted <strong>on</strong><br />

July 12-14 in 2006. Fusarium head blight, net blotch, and SSLB c<strong>on</strong>tinue to be comm<strong>on</strong><br />

diseases <strong>on</strong> barley, but their severity was reduced due to dry weather in 2006.<br />

Bacterial blight also was found in a few fields in 2006. Additi<strong>on</strong>al pathogen isolates<br />

were collected from this survey and were stored in our pathogen collecti<strong>on</strong>. Pathogen<br />

isolates are an essential resource for resistance breeding efforts and the identificati<strong>on</strong> of<br />

novel sources of disease resistance. They are also useful as a historical record of<br />

virulence shifts in pathogen populati<strong>on</strong>s. Our research goals all directly address<br />

AMBA’s primary objective of developing malting barley cultivars with improved<br />

agr<strong>on</strong>omic and quality characters. The deployment of superior malting cultivars with<br />

disease resistance will help ensure that an adequate supply of high quality malting<br />

barley is available to the malting and brewing industry.<br />

Objectives, Methodology, and Results<br />

(AMBA Funded Project)<br />

Plant diseases are <strong>on</strong>e of the most important c<strong>on</strong>straints to barley (Hordeum<br />

vulgare) producti<strong>on</strong> and quality in the United States. The primary missi<strong>on</strong> of the Cereal<br />

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