Lowe

Barley

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Canmore' and 'AC Metcalfe'

Summary: The intensity of the anthocyanin colouration of the flag leaf is very weak for 'Lowe' whereas the intensity of anthocyanin colouration is of medium intensity for 'Canmore' and of weak to medium intensity for 'AC Metcalfe'. The spike of 'Lowe' emerges very early whereas the spikes of the reference varieties emerge early. At maturity, the plants of 'Lowe' are taller than the plants of both reference varieties. 'Lowe' has a longer spike than both reference varieties. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the nerves of the lemma of the kernel is medium for 'Lowe' whereas the intensity is absent or very weak both reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: two row, winter barley, malting type, absent or very low frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves
YOUNG PLANT (at tillering): semi-erect growth habit, absent or very sparse pubescence on lower leaf sheaths

FLAG LEAF BLADE: weak pubescence
FLAG LEAF SHEATH: strong glaucosity, weak pubescence
AURICLES: weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, weak pubescence on the margins

SPIKE: emerges mid-season, weak glaucosity, semi-erect attitude, platform shaped collar, parallel shape, medium density, parallel to weakly divergent attitude of sterile spikelet, glume and awn of the median spikelet are equal in length relative to grain
LEMMA AWNS: longer than length of spike, rough margins along entire length
FIRST SEGMENT OF RACHIS: medium length

KERNAL: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of nerves of the lemma, whitish aleurone layer, long rachilla hairs, husk present, absent or very weak spiculation of inner lateral nerves of dorsal side of lemma, no hairiness of ventral furrow, clasping disposition of lodicules, horseshoe shape basal markings, medium length and width

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: fair resistance to lodging, good resistance to shattering, good malting quality

Origin & Breeding History: 'Lowe' (experimental designations 'J02033', 'J02033006' and 'TR13609') originated from the cross between 'H920172032' and 'Ponoka' made in 2002 at the Field Crop Development Centre, Lacombe, Alberta. The F3 generation was grown in bulk in a winter nursery in California, USA. In 2004 to 2006, the line was grown in bulks in Lacombe. At the F7 generation headrows were grown in the field from which the selection 'J02033006' was made and subsequently in yield trials from 2008 to 2015. Selection criteria included grain yield, test weight, 1000 kernel weight, lodging resistance, disease resistance, maturity and food quality.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials conducted during the summers of 2016 and 2017 at the Alberta Field Crop Development Centre in Lacombe, Alberta were planted in a RCB design and consisted of 3 replicates for each variety. Each 2.8 metres squared plots consisted of 8 rows 2.5 metres in length with a row spacing of 0.14 metres. The seeding density was 270 seeds per square metre. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 30 measurements per variety per year. Mean differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison tables for 'Lowe' with reference varieties 'Canmore' and 'AC Metcalfe'

Plant height (including awns) (cm)

Spike length (excluding awns) (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Barley: 'Lowe' (centre) with reference varieties 'Canmore' (left) and 'AC Metcalfe' (right)