Idaho Barley Variety Enhancement Program
2000 Progress Report

Karen L. Dempster, David Bergey,
and Larry Robertson

The 1999-2000 growing season was the ninth year for the Idaho Barley Enhancement Program (BEP). The program planted 5835 yield plots. Trials were grown in eleven different locations, three of which were irrigated (Parma, Kimberly, and Aberdeen). Some trial locations were provided by local farmer-cooperators. Appreciation is given to them for their help and cooperation. Appreciation is also extended to cooperating UI personnel including numerous county educators.

Test Procedures
Most of the trials were replicated four times and planted in a randomized block design, as 7 row plots with 7-inch row spacing, 15 feet long. The plots were cut back to make a 10 or 11 foot plot for harvest. A seeding rate of approximately 80 pounds/acre was used. All nurseries were established and maintained under grower management conditions except for Moscow, Parma, Kimberly, Aberdeen, and Tetonia, which were located on University of Idaho Research and Extension Centers. As far as possible, all cultural operations, fertilizer and chemical applications were the same as applied to the surrounding field and matched commercial management. Timing of planting and harvest operations coincided with cooperator operations.

Data Collection
Agronomic data, including yield, test weight, heading date, height, lodging, percent plump and thins were collected from all trials (heading date was not recorded at Fairfield). Yield was calculated as bushels per acre using the standards of 48 pounds per bushel for barley and 32 pounds per bushel for oats. Test weight was reported in pounds per standard bushel. Heading date was recorded as the number of days after January 1 when 50% of the heads had emerged from the flag leaf sheath. Plant height was reported in inches from the soil surface to the tip of the heads, awns excluded. Lodging was reported on a scale of 1-9, 1 = erect and 9 = flat. Percent plump was recorded as the percent of seed staying on top of a 6/64 screen after 25 cycles of shaking. Percent thin is that part of the sample that passed through a 5/64 screen after 25 cycles of shaking. Spring stand is reported on a scale of 1-9 with 9 being the best stand. Stand data was taken in selected nurseries that had differential stand emergence. Selected samples of hulless barley will be pearled and evaluated for suitability for export market. Additional evaluations for quality determination may be conducted.

Statistical Interpretation
Most tables have a least significant difference (LSD) statistic at the bottom of the table. These data are given at the 5% error level and are an aid in comparing data among varieties. If the reported values of any two varieties within a table differ by the LSD statistic or more, they may be considered different with a confidence level of 95%. If the difference between reported values is less than the LSD value, the difference may be due to random error rather than a real difference between varieties. Where data represents variety means across locations or years, an approximation to a combined LSD was calculated. The coefficient of variation (CV) statistic is also included in some tables. This is given as a general measurement of the precision of each experiment. Lower CV values indicate less experimental variation and greater precision. Planting and harvest dates of each nursery are stated at the bottom of the table as additional information.

The 1999-2000 WWBN contained advanced generation lines and varieties from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Sunderman Breeding Inc., and USDA-ARS, Aberdeen. The nursery of 50 entries was planted in Moscow on Oct. 4 1999, Kimberly on Oct. 4, 1999 and Parma on Oct. 11, 1999.

Grain yields at Moscow were the highest recorded for these trials. The entire 50 entry trial averaged over 160 bushels/acre. Contributing to this high yield was a warmer than normal winter and abundant spring moisture with mild temperatures through the grain filling period. Test weight reflected the favorable season with an average of 53.0 lb/bu. Four entries, (Sunstar Pride, 91Ab36, 91Ab23, and WA2684-89) had yields exceeding 190 bu/acre. Kamiak and the 2-rowed varieties Pipkin and Puffin had lowest yields. Five entries (Kamiak, Gwen, NE90721, Puffin, and 92Ab1308) were headed by May 19 with the latest, BZ596-21, 24 days later. 86Ab474, BZ596-21, 96Ab907, and 96Ab914 were shortest at only 29 inches tall and KB941085 and 91Ab493 were tallest at over 40 inches. Data are in Table 1.

Yields at Kimberly were also high with an average of 155.3 bu/acre. The warmer winter and an early spring that permitted more development to occur under long day conditions were conducive to higher yields. Highest yielding entries included Strider, Cyclone, and the experimental lines 91Ab603, 91Ab23, and 97Ab454. Test weight was a respectable average 49.3 lbs/bu. Highest test weights were from the 2-rowed varieties Pipkin and Puffin (54.7 and 55.3 lbs/bu.) and Sprinter of the 6-rowed entries (52.1 lb/bu.). Lowest test weights were WA1975-86, 88Ab977, 97Ab23, and 97Ab502, all less then 47 lb/bu. Kamiak, Gwen, 97Ab454, and 97Ab534 were earliest entries to head. The experimental entry 94Ab18181, followed by Sprinter and 91Ab493 had highest percent plump. Data are in Table 2.

Parma recorded higher yields than in previous years with six entries having yields over 190 bu/acre, toped by 86Ab640 and Sunstar Pride. Puffin and Pipkin, both 2-rowed varieties, had yields of only 140.4 and 84.1 bu/acre. All other varieties had yields of 150 bu/acre or more. Test weights were good with two varieties, Gwen and Pipkin exceeding 53 lb/bu. Lowest test weights were from BZ596-21, 97Ab502, 97Ab536, and WA2684-89. Kamiak and KB 941085 were tallest (45 inches) and 3 varieties were 35 inches or shorter. Puffin and 92Ab1308 were earliest to head while KB 941085, and BZ596-21 were latest. Strider, Cyclone and Puffin had the highest percent plump and 92Ab999, BZ596-21, 97Ab23, and 97Ab502 the lowest. Data are in Table 3.

Tables 4 and 5 give the combined data for the Moscow, Kimberly and Parma trials. Table 6 gives yield and test weight data over years for those entries in the trials either 2 or 4 years. For all varieties that have at least 4 years of testing, Sunstar Pride has the highest yield followed by ORFB81019. For entries with only two years of testing, Sunstar Pride, Cyclone, and 91Ab23 had highest yields.

The WDSBN is a regional trial that is grown throughout the western spring barley region. It is coordinated by USDA/ARS. This trial contained 50 entries and was grown as part of the BEP trials at Soda Springs and Genesee. The growing season at Soda was drier and warmer than normal. Seeding was done into a fairly dry seedbed with relatively good subsoil moisture. Rainfall during the growing season was very limited and harvest was earlier than normal. The Genesee location had nearly ideal growing conditions. Moisture was abundant throughout the season and temperatures were moderate. Disease and insect pests were not a problem.

The Soda Springs data are given in Table 7. Valier and Bancroft were top yielding entries with 55.0 and 54.1 bu/acre. Lowest yield was from ND17275 and PB1-97-2R-7065. Highest test weights from non-hulless types were 53.0 and 52.7 lb/bu (ND16461and Munsing), low test weights ranged down to about 48 lb/bu. Considering the very dry conditions, percent plump was high, averaging 83% with ND16461 and ND17275 sharing top spot with 96% plump. Earliest heading dates were recorded by 95Ab13058 and UT004988 and PB1-97-2R-7065 the latest. Most entries stayed relativity short as the tallest height recorded was only 26 inches. Many entries were too short to be effectively harvested and some grain was undoubtedly lost.

Genesee data are in Table 8. Grain yield for the entire trial averaged 131 bu/acre and nine entries had yields over 140 bu/acre. All entries were over 100 bu/acre. Test weight averaged just over 54 lb/bu, which reflects the favorable conditions during grainfill. Highest test weight entries included Camas, Crest, 94Ab12990, CDC Bold, TR 346, 85Ab2323, and 94Ab12271. Steptoe and UT005828 had lowest test weights. Plump seed percent averaged 86% with ND16453 and ND17275 topping the trial with 98% plump. Lowest percent plump was recorded by 6B93-2978, 95Ab13058 and Harrington. Munsing and four experimental lines were earliest to head and Crystal II, Merit, and PB1-97-2R-7065 were latest. WA9504-94 and C95-20-3 were shortest in height and Hector, Bancroft, 6B93-2978, 6B94-8253, and UT005828 were tallest. Most entries had some lodging with Munsing the most and ten entries showing no lodging.

Tables 9 and 10 give the combined data for Soda Springs and Genesee. Baronesse, UT004087, and 95Ab13058 recorded highest average yields. Highest average test weights were from 94Ab12990 and Camas. ND16453 and ND17275 had highest percent plump, C95-20-3 was the shortest entry and 6B93-2978 was tallest.

Table 11 gives yield and test weight data for a two or four year period for those entries in the trials those years. Baronesse and 85Ab2323 had the highest average for entries tested all four years. Camas and 93Ab688 had the highest yields for all entries tested two years.

The WSBN is a regional trial that is grown throughout the western spring barley region. It is coordinated by USDA/ARS. This trial contained 50 entries and was grown as part of the BEP trials at Moscow and Bonners Ferry. Entries in this trial represent the most advanced materials from breeding programs in surrounding states.

The nursery average at Genesee (Table 12) was 129.4 bu/acre with 93Ab688 (146 bu/acre) having the highest yield and five additional entries over 140 bu/acre. All entries exceeded 100 bu/acre. Test weight was above average for spring barley with an average of 53.4 and a range of 56.6 lb/bu to 48.8 lb/bu. (BZ594-35, a hulless entry, had a test weight of 62.4 lb/bu). Percent plump ranged from 98 (ND17274) to a low of 45 for Millennium. Height ranged from 25 inches (OR2967102 and DA 587-124) to 43 for Morex. Most varieties had lodging scores of 2 (scale 1-9, 1 = best) with a high score of 4.

Table 13 gives data from Bonners Ferry. Yield averaged 82.4 bu/acre with highest yields from Harrington, and PB1-95-2R-A629. OR2967102, Colter, and 6B93-2978, all less than 65 bu/acre, recorded lowest yields. Test weights were generally good with an average of 49.5 lb/bu with a high of 53.4 for PB1-97-2R-7090 and ranging down to a low of less than 46 lb/bu for 92Ab5180. Percent plump seed averaged 73 and ranged from 92 for SK TR 150 and PB1-97-2R-7090 down to 41 for 92Ab5180. Steptoe and DA 587-124 were earliest to head. OR2967102 was the shortest variety and 6B94-8253, 6b95-2482, and Foster, all at 28 inches tall, were tallest. Most varieties did not have any lodging and the worst had a score of 3 or 4, (scale 1-9, 1 = best).

Combined data for this trial is in Tables 14 and 15. CDC Bold and Baronesse had highest yields for the two-location average. WA 9504-94, PB1-95-2R-A629, MTLB-05 and PB1-97-2R-7090 had heaviest test weights and ND17274 and PB1-97-2R-7090 had the highest plump percentage.

Table 16 gives yield and test weight data averaged over years. Baronesse and 93Ab688 had highest yields over the 99-00 period and Stander and Nebula had the top yield over the period 97-00.

Advanced Yield Nursery (AYN)

The AYN had 70 entries primarily composed of advanced lines from the Aberdeen breeding project. The trial was grown at two locations in southern Idaho and four locations in northern Idaho. Fairfield, a dryland location received very little moisture during the growing season and temperatures were warmer than normal. As a result, growth was restricted throughout the season and yields were low. Small patches of bindweed and scattered vole damage rendered some plots useless for yield and were deleted from the analysis. Parma had favorable growing conditions throughout the season. Craigmont had an average yield of over 86 bu/acre and had favorable growing conditions throughout the season. There were no disease or insect pests of note. Tammany also had favorable growing conditions with adequate moisture and moderate temperatures through most of the season. No disease or insect pests were recorded. Growing conditions at Potlatch were very good. The trial averaged over 100 bu/acre with high test weight. No problems of note were encountered.

Table 17 gives data from Fairfield. Highest yields were from UT005645 (42.2 bu/acre), 93Ab688 (39.4 bu/acre), and Steptoe (37.4 bu/acre. Lowest yield was 20.6 bu/acre from Crystal II. Test weight averaged 46.9 lb/bu and reflected the dry conditions during the grain filling period. Moravian 14 and Orca had the highest test weights at 52.3 and 51.7 lb/bu, respectively. 97Ab7952, 98Ab11993, and 98Ab12399 had lowest test weight. Percent plump was 50% for the nursery average and ranged from a high of 81 for C40 to a low of 15 for Chinook. Many entries were very short with Nebula, PH596-124, and UT005724 only 13 or 14 inches tall. The tallest height recorded was only 20 inches for 91Ab3203, 95Ab11469, and 6B93-2978.

Parma data is given in Table 18. Conditions for the Parma trial were generally very favorable and the trial developed well. High lodging scores were a result of high yields. Nursery average yield was 128.7 bu/acre and ranged from 172.7 bu/acre for UT005724 to 95.8 for Morex. Other entries with high yields included Millennium (158.1), and UT005645 (157.7). Test weight was high averaging 52.1 for the entire trial. Five entries had test weights above 54 lb/bu. Lowest test weights were from PH596-124, 92Ab5180, 96Ab10468, and 98Ab12399. Percent plump seed was also very good with overall average 90 percent and a range from 98 percent for 2B96-5038 and Orca to a low of 79 percent for Harrington. UT005724 and UT005645 were earliest to head. Plant height averaged 38 inches with Steptoe and 96M5611 tallest at 43 inches and Idagold shortest at 30 inches. Lodging was moderate in the trial. Many entries had over 70 percent lodging. The new Utah variety Millennium, the Canadian variety AC Metcalf, and the Coors line, C32 were the only entries with no lodging in the trial.

Agronomic data for Craigmont is reported in Table 19. Yield average was 86.9 bu/acre with Steptoe and 92Ab5697 both having yields over 100 bu/acre. Tankard and Garnet had lowest yields of 63.1 and 67.6 bu/acre. Test weights were good and averaged 51.4 lb/bu. Two entries, Camas and 96M5611, had test weights exceeding 54 lb/bu. Lowest test weights were from Steptoe, Nebula, and 98Ab12399. Plump seed percent averaged 72 with a top of 94 percent for 96M5611 and a low of 36 percent for Millennium and 42 percent for 96Ab8453. Earliest to head were PH596-124, UT005645 and UT005724. Tankard and 96Ab8453 were latest to head. Cooper, Nebula, Tankard and PH596-124 were shortest in height (23 or 24 inches) while Morex was the tallest.

Tammany data is given in Table 20. Ten entries exceeded 100 bu/acre in yield led by 98Ab11993 and 93Ab688, Orca and B1614 had lowest yields. Test weight was very high with an average of 54.3 lb/bu. Seven entries exceeded 56 lb/bu and Nebula and 98Ab12399 were the only entries that were below 50 lb/bu. Three entries, Orca, 2B96-5119, and 96M5611 recorded 97 percent plump and Millennium the lowest plump with 31 percent. PH596-124, UT005645, and UT005724 were again earliest in heading. Cooper and 96Aab8453 had latest heading dates. PH596-124 was shortest (24 inches) and Morex the tallest (39 inches). Lodging was light for the trial and averaged 2 (scale 1-9, 1=best) with 20 entries not having any lodging.

Data for Potlatch are found in Table 21. Baronesse and Xena had highest yields with both were over 120 bu/acre. Morex and B1614 had lowest yields at just over 80 bu/acre. Test weight for the entire trial was very good with ten entries exceeding 56 lb/bu topped by Camas at 57.2 lb/bu. UT005724 and UT005645 had lowest test weights but still exceeded 50 lb/bu. Percent plump was also very good with an average of 90 percent. Two entries, 96M5611 and C37 shared top spot with 98 percent and Colter and Millennium were lowest with 65 and 62 percent. UT005645 and UT005724 were earliest in heading and Cooper was latest. Nebula and PH596-124 were shortest and Morex was again the tallest. There was no lodging in the trial.

Bonners Ferry data is given in Table 22. Yield averaged 94.2 bu/acre and ranged from 115.7 for 94GH86-5 down to 65.4 for Morex. C37 had a test weight of 53.2 lb/bu and seven entries were less than 47 lb/bu. Percent plump averaged 79 and ranged from a high of 97 for Orca and Tankard to a low of 37 for Millennium. Steptoe and UT005724 were earliest to head and Merit was latest. 96M5611 was tallest at 28 inches and PH596-124 was shortest at 17 inches. Lodging was moderate and averaged 2 (scale 1-9, 1=best). Ten entries had no lodging and Morex had the highest lodging score.

Combined data for Fairfield, Parma, Craigmont, Tammany, Potlatch, and Bonners Ferry are given in Tables 23- 29. When averaged over all six locations, Xena had the highest average at 99 bu/acre. 96Ab11469, 98Ab11993, Moravian 14, and Steptoe ranked 2-4 for yield. Camas, AC Metcalfe, Orca, C37, and 95Ab11469 had the highest average test weights. Orca and 96M5611 had the highest percent plump, 91 and 90 with five other entries having 89 percent plump. UT005724 and UT005645 were earliest to head and PH596-124 and Nebula were shortest (23 and 24 inches). Morex was the tallest variety. C32 and Millennium had the lowest lodging score.

Yield and test weight over-years average is given in Table 30. Xena, 95Ab11469, Merit, and Camas had highest yields over the 1999-2000 period and Baronesse, Steptoe and 91Ab3148 highest yields over the four-year period. Moravian 14, C37 and Camas had highest test weights for the multiple year periods.

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