Identification of Barley Breeding Lines Combining Preharvest Sprouting Resistance with “Canadian‐type” Malting Quality

Abstract

ABSTRACTRapid onset of germination in Canadian malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) facilitates production of good quality malt but predisposes barley to preharvest sprouting (PHS). Dormancy can be bred into barley to avoid PHS but some dormancy genes negate the potential for the “Canadian‐type” malt quality associated with a rapid start to germination. The microsatellite marker, GMS001, identified lines with PHS resistance and “Canadian‐type” malt quality in a cross between an Australian cultivar, Baudin, with PHS resistance, and a Canadian malt barley breeding line, TR253, without PHS resistance. The resulting population was grown at three sites over 2 yr with select site/years malted and analyzed for quality. Rapid visco analysis indicated PHS in some barley lines with as little as 11 mm of rain near harvest. The rapid visco analysis results substantiated the importance of the marker on chromosome 5H as breeding lines with the Baudin allele were less susceptible to sprouting, although they exhibited variable malt quality. Lines with the TR253 allele were PHS susceptible but had better and more consistent malt quality. Among the lines with the Baudin allele, five with PHS resistance and consistently good malt quality were identified. Among the lines with the TR253 allele, one showed good PHS resistance and the desirable “Canadian‐type” malt quality. These lines could serve as potential parents of future genotypes combining PHS resistance with good “Canadian‐type” malting potential.