June 20, 2003

 

NDSU Research Drives Western Malt Barley Initiative – Informational Tour Scheduled for July 9

North Dakota State University research specialists are learning what it takes to grow malt barley in western North Dakota during the second year of the Western Malt Barley Initiative. The project is intended to develop varieties and management strategies that will make malt barley production successful in western North Dakota, according to Rich Horsley, NDSU barley breeder.

After severe infections of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) cut yields and quality of barley grown in the eastern part of North Dakota, the malting industry began looking to the western part of the state for "clean" barley. The drier growing conditions in western North Dakota are a natural defense against FHB, but drier conditions also mean higher protein in malt barley, an undesirable trait.

In an effort to ultimately develop barley varieties suitable for malting and profitable for western producers, the North Dakota Legislature recommended that the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station spend up to $288,000 on related research. Representatives Frank Wald of Dickinson and Bob Skarphol of Tioga championed the recommendation.

Horsley says the objectives of the Western Malt Barley Initiative are to:

• Develop six-rowed and two-rowed malting barley varieties for dryland production in western North Dakota.
• Develop six-rowed and two-rowed malting barley varieties for irrigated production in western North Dakota.
• Develop management strategies for producing malting barley under dryland and irrigated production conditions in western North Dakota.
• Identify barley diseases present in western North Dakota annually that could threaten the barley crop.

In 2002, new research plots were established in Williston, Mott and Halliday, North Dakota and Sidney, Montana. Management of these plots was overseen by personnel at the NDSU Research Extension Centers in Williston, Dickinson and Hettinger, as well as the main station in Fargo and the Montana State University Eastern Agricultural Research Center near Sidney.

With results from the first growing season, NDSU specialists have a better idea what to expect this season. "Last year, we learned about the deficiencies of barley grown in the area," Horsley says. "Now, we’ll work on eliminating them."

Although six-rowed barley is traditionally preferred in the upper Midwest, 2002 plot data indicated that two-rowed barley was more tolerant to drought. "The two-rowed barley does well in dryland regions, producing a plumper kernel," says Jerry Bergman, Williston Research Extension Center director. However, irrigated plots in Sidney showed greater promise with six-rowed barley, as it produced stronger straw.

In addition to the breeding trials, NDSU plant pathologists also surveyed the research plots and growers’ fields for disease. Disease levels were low in 2002; however, diseases detected in the survey included:

• Spot blotch
• Net blotch
• Septoria leaf blotch
• Fusarium head blight

Considering these factors, breeders began using conventional methods last fall to develop crosses with genetics more useful in western scenarios. According to Bergman, the most important genetic improvements being sought include lower protein levels and plumper seed. The new potential varieties are being tested this year in plots more than doubled in number since last year’s trials.

Horsley notes that variety development is not a quick process. From the time of the actual cross to release can be a period of 10-12 years, but he is hopeful that producers will have recommendations for improved production and management practices much sooner.

Specialists should have fertilizer recommendations for western malt barley by 2005 or 2006. This focus is significant, he says, because producers may be using excessive fertilizer, which increases protein as does excessive temperature and drought.

To learn more about NDSU’s role in the Western Malt Barley Initiative, contact Horsley at (701) 231-8142 or attend the Malt Barley Management Tour, July 9, at the Dickinson Research Extension Center.

The tour will include a noon lunch, tour of the Halliday plots, barbeque supper and several discussions from industry leaders and research specialists. Topics will include:

• An update from malting industry representatives
• An overview of the Western Malt Barley Initiative
• A discussion of desired quality aspects for malting barley
• A review of soil, water and fertility considerations for malting quality barley
• An update on breeding barley for western North Dakota
• A review of barley diseases and current control guidelines

Seats for the tour can be reserved by calling Lisa Vance at (701) 483-2348 or Phyllis Okland at (701) 483-2077.

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Sources: Rich Horsley, (701) 231-8142, richard.horsley@ndsu.nodak.edu
Jerry Bergman, (701) 774-4315, jerald.bergman@ndsu.nodak.edu
Writer: Teresa Oe, (701) 879-6270, teresa.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu