USA: North Dakota's Agricultural Experiment Station has released a new variety of malting barley, Stellar Malt Barley, suitable for conditions in the state, says Al Schneiter, North Dakota State University Department of Plant Sciences chair, AgReport indicated on February 10.

Stellar has parentage that includes Foster and a number of experimental lines. Richard Horsley, the leader of the six-rowed barley-breeding program, made the NDSU greenhouse cross in 1993.

Stellar has a white hull, semismooth awns and long rachilla hair, which means it, like almost all other barley varieties, may cause some itching. Stephen Neate, NDSU barley plant pathologist, says Stellar is similar in disease resistance to Drummond, Legacy and Tradition.

In general, Stellar has a lower level of scab severity and a similar level of deoxynivalenol (DON) as Robust, the most commonly grown variety. Stellar appears to accumulate slightly lower levels of DON than Drummond and Legacy, but more than Tradition. Its level of net and spot blotch are similar to all other varieties being grown.

Stellar has produced consistently high yields, Horsley says. "In 40 trials conducted at Research Extension Centers at Langdon, Carrington, Minot, Williston, Dickinson and Hettinger from 2002 through, 04, Stellar outyielded Robust, Legacy, Drummond and Tradition by 8.1, 1.9, 5.8 and 2.5 bushels per acre respectively."

Stellar test weights have been similar to Drummond and Tradition and l pound per bushel less than Robust. Stellar is typically 2 inches shorter than Robust. Its resistance to lodging is greater than all commonly grown varieties except Drummond. Days to heading are similar to Robust.

Stellar has an excellent malt profile, according to Paul Schwarz, leader of the NDSU malting and brewing project. "It has lower grain protein and greater kernel plumpness and malt extract than all other cultivars grown in North Dakota."

Stellar has been tested for a year through the American Malting Barley Association plant scale evaluation program. It received a satisfactory rating in all tests. Tests are being conducted on the 2004 crop.

If accepted by the industry as a malting variety, Stellar is expected to replace significant acres of Robust. Because of its significant yield advantage over Robust, Stellar would have a significant positive economic impact on the state’s malting barley production, Schneiter says.

Stellar will be allocated through the County Crop Improvement Association this spring. The NDSU Research Foundation will apply for plant variety protection with Title V and assess research fees of 25 cents per bushel on registered and certified seed.

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