Annual Progress Report on Malting Barley Research March, 2002

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TWO-ROWED BARLEY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Jerome D. Franckowiak
Department of Plant Sciences
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND 58105
Barley Breeding Objectives
The primary objective of the barley breeding programs in the Agricultural Experiment
Station, North Dakota State University (NDSU) is to develop and release improved
barley cultivars for production in North Dakota (ND) and adjacent states. New cultivars
should be acceptable to ND growers and those who use or process barley. Basic and
applied research is conducted on barley to provide information that will aid achievement
of the barley improvement goals, improve cultural practices, and enhance the
understanding of barley genetics. This report emphasizes research on improvement of
two-rowed barley for ND. The research activities of the two-rowed barley program are
coordinated with the activities of other barley research projects at Fargo: the six-rowed
barley improvement program, the barley quality program in the Department of Cereal
Science, the barley pathology program in the Department of Plant Pathology, and the
barley genetics program at the USDA-ARS Northern Crops Science Laboratory.
General Seasonal Information
Two-rowed barley cultivars and experimental lines were evaluated in yield trials grown at
six ND locations during 2001. In addition the Carrington, Dickinson, Hettinger,
Langdon, Minot, and Williston Research Extension Centers conducted yield trials at offstation
sites. Pure seed increase plots of 34 entries in variety and advanced yield trials
were grown in large drill strips at Casselton and Fargo. Pure seed increases of 17
historical cultivars and 66 experimental lines in intermediate yield trials were grown in
small drill strips at Fargo. The barley yield trials were sown between 26 April and 15
May. The Western Spring, the Western Spring Dryland, and the Canadian Western Tworow
cooperative barley nurseries were each grown at two locations.
The yield trials were planted relatively early in 2001 and stand establishment was good at
all locations. At Carrington, the herbicide Puma applied prior to several days of cold
temperatures and caused differential damage to plots. Standing water in late June
damaged plants in the Casselton, Fargo, and Prosper nurseries. Plots at Hettinger were
destroyed by hail. Yield plots at Langdon were not harvested because of severe lodging
and subsequent leaf diseases. Spot blotch, incited by Cochliobolus sativus, was severe in
the nurseries at Casselton and Prosper. Spot blotch was also severe in several fields of
‘Harrington’ barley in the Minot area. The incidence of Fusarium head blight (FHB),
caused mainly by Fusarium graminearum, was high in nurseries at Carrington and
Langdon sites. Septoria leaf blotch, incited primarily by Septoria passerinii, were
observed after heading in nurseries throughout ND. Net blotch, incited by Pyrenophora
teres f. teres, were found on a few lines at Carrington and Minot. Notes on taken on
lodging at Williston and grain protein values were estimated. Yields averaged about 75
bu/a from field plots at Fargo, 80 bu/a at Minot, and 90 bu/a at Williston.