Registration of ‘AB Wrangler’, a two‐rowed feed and forage barley with enhanced resistance to Fusarium head blight

Abstract

AbstractThe mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) produced by Fusarium head blight (FHB) can reduce feed efficiencies. New barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars with improved resistance to FHB that still provide producers with high yield are desired. ‘AB Wrangler’ (Reg. no. CV‐372, PI 695086; CFIA Reg. no. 8911; Canadian PBR Appl. no. 19‐10051) is a two‐rowed, hulled, spring barley developed for feed and forage use. AB Wrangler has enhanced resistance to FHB in testing across Canada and the United States. In Canada, this line accumulated 50% less DON than the feed checks ‘CDC Austenson’ and ‘Champion’. Its DON levels were similar to the most resistant check ‘Chevron’ in the North American Barley Scab Evaluation Nursery. In the Western Cooperative Two‐row Barley Registration Tests, AB Wrangler outyielded the feed check CDC Austenson. In the Western Cooperative Forage Barley Registration Tests (FCoop), it had biomass yields similar to the highest yielding forage check ‘CDC Cowboy’ while its biomass quality was better than CDC Cowboy. It is a medium height cultivar with lodging resistance similar to the better checks in the FCoop. AB Wrangler has earlier maturity than CDC Austenson, similar to Champion. AB Wrangler was rated as resistant to stem rust and moderately resistant to spot blotch, the surface‐borne smuts, and FHB. AB Wrangler combines good agronomic, disease, and feed–forage attributes that will make it suitable for dry‐land production on the northern Great Plains.