Release of AC Metcalfe

AC Metcalfe, a two-row malting barley breeding line tested as TR232 and WM8612-1, received full registration in 1997 after successfully completing the plant-scale testing program conducted by the Canadian malting and brewing industry. Widely adapted to western Canada, AC Metcalfe has excellent malting and brewing quality, particularly malt extract; it ranked first in overall malting quality during its first two years and second during its third year of testing in the Western Co-operative Two-row Barley Registration Test from 1991 to 1993. It also performed well during its two years in the Collaborative Malting and Brewing Test conducted at the pilot-scale test by industry in 1992 and 1993. AC Metcalfe is about 7% higher yielding than Harrington and 3% lower yielding than Manley. However, AC Metcalfe is about three days earlier than Manley and one day later than Harrington. AC Metcalfe has plumper kernels and higher test weight than Manley, but resembles Manley in most other agronomic traits. It has good resistance to loose smut, and is intermediate in resistance to the surface-borne smuts and the spot-form of net blotch, has adult plant resistance to some net-form pathotypes, and carries the Rpg1gene for stem rust resistance. AC Metcalfe is susceptible to scald, speckled leaf blotch, common root rot, and barley yellow dwarf.

AC Metcalfe was named in recognition of Dr. D.R. (Dick) Metcalfe’s contribution to barley breeding in western Canada. It is from the cross AC Oxbow/Manley originally made by Dr. Metcalfe when he was at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Research Centre, Winnipeg. Seed of AC Metcalfe will be marketed and distributed by SeCan Association. Pedigreed seed will be increased in 1998 with commercial production beginning in 1999.

Interim Registration of TR243

The two-row malting barley breeding line, TR243, received interim registration in 1997. TR243 is widely adapted to western Canada, particularly the eastern prairie region. It is about 8% higher yielding than Harrington and 4% lower yielding than Manley over 3 years of testing in the Western Co-operative Two-row Barley Registration Test from 1994 to 1996. TR243 is about 2 days later than Harrington and 3 days earlier than Manley, giving it a favourable yield-maturity relationship relative to the checks. It has larger, plumper kernels than either Manley or Harrington, an important characteristic in malting barley. It is slightly taller than Manley, but similar in lodging resistance and test weight. TR243 has good resistance to all three common smuts of barley (loose, covered and false loose smut), negating the need for seed treatment to control them. It has moderate resistance to net blotch, is intermediate in resistance to common root rot, and carries the Rpg1 gene for stem rust resistance. However, it is susceptible to scald, speckled leaf blotch, and barley yellow dwarf. The malting quality of TR243 is similar to that of Manley and Harrington overall. Its main advantage is a slightly higher malt extract.

TR243, tested as WM871-58, is from the cross Wpg843-234/Manley//AC Oxbow/Manley. Extensive malting and brewing tests at the pilot- and plant-scale levels, and market development will be required before full registration can be obtained. Value Added Seeds Inc. will market and distribute seed of TR243 in North America.