Very high yielding distilling variety
Yield potential
Publican is the highest yielding spring barley with full IBD approval for distilling.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2010.
Publican has produced excellent yields across all regions of the UK, demonstrating that it is a very adaptable and reliable variety to grow.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2010.
Disease resistance
Publican has exceptional resistance to mildew (a maximum 9 rating) and good resistance to Rhynchosporium. Brown rust needs to be managed to enable the variety to achieve its full potential.
Fungicide use
Always consult your agronomist and adapt programmes to local conditions.
Getting early to mid season agronomy right is crucial to establishing a healthy crop.
- T0 - Not normally required.
- T1 - Key application timing to protect the canopy during the plants’ main burst of growth. Brown rust control is required where there is a high risk of infection.
- T2 - To ensure the crop is healthy at harvest, focus on brown rust control and protecting the grain fill and green leaf areas, vital for maintaining grain quality.
Core fungicide programme
- T1 - Kayak + half rate epoxiconazole
- T2 - Amistar Opti + half rate epoxiconazole
Agronomic information
Publican is a relatively short and very stiff variety with excellent resistance to lodging and brackling.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2010.
Growth habit
- Early Spring: Semi-prostrate
- Tillering ability: Medium
- Maturity: Medium to late
Drilling dates
- Suitability for early drilling: Good
- Suitability for late drilling (April): Good
- Optimum drilling date: February – March (Scotland). January – February (England)
Recommended sowing rate
Seed rates are dependent on soil conditions at the time of drilling, the more difficult the environment the higher the seed rates should be to compensate for potential plant loss.
Publican is a very adaptable and robust variety which suits many field situations. Syngenta Seeds trial results confirm that in good conditions there are no detrimental effects to Publican’s yield or grain quality by altering seed rates.
The table below shows the suggested number of seeds per square metre that should be planted under good conditions. These figures should always be used in conjunction with the thousand grain weight of the seed.
Nitrogen application
On average over 60% of the spring malting barley that UK maltsters wish to purchase from Scotland is under 1.55% grain N. Varieties have different optimum nitrogen rates, therefore balancing N inputs to end market, variety and season is key.
Ensure you have checked levels with your contract and end market.
Syngenta Seeds nitrogen timing trials in Scotland have shown that:
- Altering the timing of N did not significantly effect the levels of grain N.
- Applications at GS11/12 (75%) & GS25 (25%) have given the lowest grain N levels.
- Yield and grain size have not been significantly affected by altering timings.
- Missing a seed bed application of fertiliser is only advisable in ’good’ establishment situations. If the seed bed is poor or drilling date delayed then early fertiliser is crucial to enable good crop establishment.
In most situations the recommended amount of N would be 110-135kg/ha. Where the application of nitrogen is limited to 120kg/ha, growers may need to apply N later in order to increase protein levels.
The tables below show the effect of N application timing on Publican’s yield and grain N levels.
Source: Syngenta Seeds / Scottish Agronomy. Harvest 2007-09. 1st App = pre-em, 2nd app = GS11,
3rd app = GS25. Total applied = 120kgsN/ha
These figures are for guidance purposes only. You must work with your agronomist when calculating nitrogen rates and timings, taking into consideration end market requirements and the fertility of the field. You should also work within any Defra guidelines / restrictions.
PGRs
Normally not required, however Syngenta Seeds advises their use on lush crops or very fertile sites. In these cases use low rate Moddus (0.1–0.2 lt/ha) at GS 29-30 to stabilise tillers and promote root development.
Quality
Publican has full IBD approval for distilling in the UK. Publican is also currently being tested and evaluated across Europe for use as a brewing variety which may offer potential export opportunities. Publican appears to possess a very ‘balanced profile’ in terms of the quality attributes required by European customers, including good Hot Water Extract, good levels of DP and low beta glucan.
Grain quality
Publican has big, bold grain resulting in very low screenings.
Specific weight: 68.4 kg/hl
Sieving % through: 2.25mm - 1.4%
Sieving % through: 2.5mm - 4.3%
Nitrogen Content: 1.58%
TGW: Good
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2010.
Publican also has low gape and skinning levels.
Source: Syngenta Seeds' Trials, Harvest 2007.
Harvesting
Top priority – with all quality crops it is critical to harvest the crop in the best condition as soon as moisture is correct. As with all malting barleys, the variety should be kept separate to prevent contamination and to maintain the maximum premium from the end product.
Storage management
Correct storage of malting barley is a priority to ensure harvest quality remains. Malting barley should be at a moisture of below 14.5% to minimise the risk of moulds and dried in such a way so there is no damage to germination. Grain temperatures and moistures should be checked regularly to ensure quality is maintained and germination levels are kept at 98% plus.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2010 – the full database can be consulted at www.hgca.com
On the 1-9 scales high figures indicate that a variety shows the character to a high degree (e.g. high resistance).
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If you require any more information about this variety, please contact Syngenta Seeds on 01223 883400
Disclaimer
The information given in these pages is for general guidance only. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure it is accurate, it is out of necessity, of a general nature and variation in growing environment or climate and/or changes to legislation, regulations and best practice can render it inaccurate. Syngenta Seeds Limited cannot accept any liability arising out of or in conjunction with the use of this information. Crop protection products should be used in conjunction with manufacturers’ recommendations. Use pesticides safely – always read the label. Consult your agronomist for the most current advice.
