Five new cereal varieties have been added to the AHDB Recommended List for cereals and oilseeds from Senova.
These are a two-row feed winter barley for the East, a next-level winter oat variety, a high yielding Group 4 spring wheat, a spring barley with malting potential, and a promising winter triticale.
Darcie winter barley
The first is Darcie – a new two-row feed winter barley with resistance to both strains of Barley Yellow Mosaic Virus (BaYMV), a treated yield of 106, and a specific recommendation for the East region.
One of only two winter barley varieties on the list to offer dual soil-borne virus protection, Darcie also has a rhynchosporium resistance rating of 7, a net blotch score of 6 and a grain specific weight of 70.9kg/hl.
Darcie has given its highest yields in the East of the country, but also performs very well in the North, says the firm’s George Goodwin. “The genetic potential of Darcie is clear when you look at its agronomic merit score. With its strong disease and virus resistance, stiff straw and lower screenings, it’s a variety that will appeal to growers.”
BaYMV is an increasing issue, with two strains of the virus now found in UK soils and no means of chemical control, he adds. “As Darcie has resistance to both strain 1 and 2, it avoids the yield and grain quality losses caused by infection.
“In contrast, most recommended varieties only have resistance to strain 1, so it’s good to see this dual resistance coming through in high performing varieties.”
Winter oat Rannoch
Senova’s husked winter oat variety Rannoch has also been added to the RL, bringing a combination of high yields, good grain quality and agronomic strengths.
With a treated yield of 106 and an untreated yield of 92, Rannoch’s 4% yield advantage over Cromwell and 10% advantage over time-honoured Mascani take winter oat yields and performance on to the next level, says George.
This is combined with a kernel content of 74.5%, a specific weight of 51.7kg/hl and low screenings of 3.3%; initial tests confirm it offers similar quality to Mascani and the milling consistency that end users look for.
“Rannoch is a big step forward,” adds George. “When you consider that its untreated yield is virtually on a par with the treated yield of the country’s most popular oat variety, it highlights what this introduction represents.”
A very high crown rust resistance rating of 8 is another feature of Rannoch, which is complimented by a mildew rating of 5.
George points out that Rannoch also hits the spot when it comes to processing, keeping losses in the mill at an acceptable level, reducing cost pressures and improving mill efficiency. “That’s a key requirement of millers and it helps growers to access premium markets.”
Spring wheat Merkawa
Merkawais a new hard Group 4 spring wheat, which comes onto the RL as the highest yielding feed type with a treated yield of 107.
Aside from this, Merkawa also brings all-round disease resistance and early maturity, scoring a 9 for resistance to mildew, 7s for both yellow rust and brown rust and a 5 rating for septoria.
Nolan spring barley
Nolan is Senova’s new spring barley with malting potential, offering a treated yield of 103 and an untreated yield of 88, as well as improved malting qualities over many of the existing choices.
It’s a dual-purpose variety suitable for brewing and distilling, has good Predicted Spirit Yield (PSY) and Hot Water Extract (HWE) figures, along with a specific weight of 67.9kg/hl and low screenings of 2.8%.
Nolan’s disease resistance ratings include a 9 for mildew, 8 for net blotch, 5 for rhynchosporium and a 4 for brown rust – making it one of the cleanest varieties on the list, says George.
As with all new spring barley varieties with malting potential, Nolan will now be submitted for MBC testing.
Winter triticale Bicross
Completing the set from Senova is Bicross – a new winter triticale that’s been added to the Descriptive List. An alternative type with drilling date flexibility, it has a yield of 99, a high specific weight, early ripening and an excellent yellow rust resistance rating of 9.
