Splendor spring barley variety now aimed at feed market

A spring barley variety that combines consistent yields across all UK regions on the 2022 AHDB Recommended List, with a good specific weight, is being launched to feed barley growers.

Splendor, from Syngenta, was originally bred for the malting market where it was evaluated for brewing use.

Despite having been withdrawn from malting tests, Syngenta seeds portfolio marketing manager Kathryn Hamlen, believes it continues to offer useful features that could appeal to feed barley growers.

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Among these are its consistent treated yields of 102% of control varieties across all regions on the 2022 AHDB spring barley Recommended List, says Mrs Hamlen, plus its high specific weight of over 68 kg/hl.

She adds that the variety offers other characteristics that could be useful for farmers growing spring barley in certain grassweed situations.

“Spring cropping is a well-known method of reducing grassweed populations, as it gives growers more time to remove an extra flush of weeds before planting.

“On top of this, spring barley is a competitive crop and therefore has more effect in suppressing grassweeds.”

Splendor has a vigorous growth habit and stiff straw with good brackling resistance.

“Early vigorous growth helps a variety to better compete against grassweeds from the beginning of the season – allowing good plant establishment before the grassweeds get a chance to compete.

“Stiff straw helps later in the season if grassweed populations are higher – as it can help the crop to better withstand grassweeds pulling it down,” she explains.

In addition, its good specific weight will help to mitigate against the competitive effects that grassweeds have when it comes to reducing crop grain filling.