Barley variety that requires low plant hormone Gibberellic Acid (GA) for malting
A NEW malt-potential barley variety is being launched in Australia in spring, with seed crops currently being grown with Seednet Partners in Northern NSW, Central NSW, Southern NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
Spinnaker is a conventional spring-type barley. Spinnaker barley is not an Imi-tolerant variety, and its name is not associated with the crop chemical Spinnaker.
Being a conventional barley variety is a positive feature for Spinnaker because chemical residues are become an increasing issue for end-users, and there is less and less conventional barley being produced in Australia. Another end-user benefit with Spinnaker barley is its low requirement for the plant hormone Gibberellic Acid (GA) for malting.
GA is often used to assist germination in the malting process and although it is totally safe for human consumption, some brewers prefer less inputs to be used in the production of their beer.
In the paddock, Spinnaker is a quick-maturing, high-yielding barley variety broadly adapted to medium and low-rainfall barley-growing regions. It has excellent physical grain quality with high retention, high test weight and low screenings. In terms of plant type, Spinnaker has the same good vigour and competitive nature as RGT Planet, but Spinnaker is earlier to heading and shorter at maturity.
Its disease resistance profile is very similar to RGT Planet with Resistance to Powdery mildew and Moderate Resistance/Moderate Susceptibility to Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus and Black point, but it is rated Moderately Susceptible to Susceptible for Leaf rust and Moderately Susceptible to Susceptible/Very Susceptible for Net blotches.
