As the popularity of Null-Lox malting barley grows, there is an increasing choice of varieties as established varieties are available for drilling this spring, and new ones come forward from the trials programme.

“This spring sowing season, we have Cha Cha and Charmay available for growers as well as the newly-introduced variety Cheerio,” says Chris Guest, seed manager for sole agents Gleadell.

“The agronomic performance of Cha Cha is similar to other spring malting barley varieties in the UK with medium straw length and a good stiff straw, so the use of PGRs can be minimised.  The variety has good resistance to mildew and net blotch - although it is susceptible to barley rust.

“Our other main variety for this season is Charmay, which also has a medium straw length and a good stiff straw. As with Cha Cha, it has a good resistance towards mildew, but is moderately susceptible to barley rust and net blotch.  Also, like Cha Cha, Charmay offers excellent establishment and is early to harvest.”

“Both varieties have a nitrogen and malt extract content equivalent to other spring barley malting varieties, so the nitrogen regime must be as for other spring malting varieties. Growers benefit as Null-Lox varieties are taken at up to 1.92N rather than 1.85 for conventional varieties.”

Gleadell have also introduced Cheerio, a new variety this season. In UK independent Null-Lox trials in 2011, Cheerio was 3% ahead of Propino and 9% ahead of Tipple in the combined trials sites which contained four replicate trials with 15 varieties. In addition to its yield benefit, Cheerio has a medium straw length and a good stiff straw.  It has good resistance towards mildew and net blotch, but is susceptible to barley rust.

For the future, Chris Guest notes that there is an exciting pipeline of material coming through from Denmark with five new Null-Lox varieties trialed in 2011. From these varieties, Cheerio is available this season in limited quantities and Chapeau, which was top of the trials, is on track for 2013 launch.  It is currently going through official registration on the continent and Gleadell plan to have seed available to growers for spring 2013 drilling.

“With such an extensive pipeline, Null-Lox varieties will continue to be able to compete with the new varieties from other breeders for yield, whilst maintaining the Null-Lox principle,” adds Chris Guest.