New hybrid set to raise winter barley yield in Scotland and the North
2nd May 2017
A new hybrid winter feed barley that is set to raise the yield bar for growers in Scotland and Northern England is being launched for this autumn. The new hybrid,
A new hybrid winter feed barley that is set to raise the yield bar for growers in Scotland and Northern England is being launched for this autumn.
The new hybrid, Hyvido Sunningdale, has the top North region yield on the AHDB Recommended List for winter barley for 2017/18, says Samantha Brooke, seed manager for experienced hybrid barley breeder, Syngenta.
Delivering the equivalent of 10 t/ha, it equates to being around 0.5 t/ha above some of the highest-yielding conventional winter barley varieties on the list in the North region, she says. It is also around 0.3 t/ha above the closest-yielding hybrid.
“Hyvido hybrid barleys are noted for delivering high yields,” says Mrs Brooke, “and plantings have escalated over recent years – to the extent they now account for about a quarter of the UK winter barley area.
“Hyvido Volume has played a central role in this growth. More recently it has been joined by Hyvido Bazooka, which raised hybrid barley yields even higher. However, we knew that Scottish and Northern England growers wanted more.
“We have listened, and Hyvido Sunningdale was added new to the AHDB Recommended List for 2017. Its launch takes yield on a massive step.”
Although the overall UK yield of Hyvido Sunningdale is on a par with Bazooka, which at 109% is the highest UK treated yield figure on the list, Mrs Brooke says it is in the North where it really stands out.
“Its North region yield smashes even that of Bazooka by an extra four percentage points, or 0.3 t/ha. It also exceeds Volume by a massive seven percentage points, or 0.5 t/ha,” she adds.
“Hyvido Sunningdale is also slightly earlier maturing than Bazooka. Given the longer growing seasons further north, that is another important feature for Scotland and Northern England.
“Usefully for the region, Hyvido Sunningdale also has good resistance to the wet weather disease of Rhynchosporium – with a rating of seven on the AHDB Recommended List. Plus, it produces long straw, which is useful for mixed farms. Yet it has similar straw stiffness to Volume, which many growers are familiar with growing.
“Hyvido hybrid barleys are recognised for vigorous growth and being resilient to a range of different growing conditions. It isn’t unusual so see the yield advantage of hybrids over conventional winter barley being even greater in farm situations than in trials.
“With its improved yields, early maturity and good Rhynchosporium resistance, Hyvido Sunningdale is poised to be an important winter feed barley introduction for Scottish and Northern England growers,” Mrs Brooke concludes.
Hyvido Sunningdale – key points
- New hybrid winter feed barley
- Four percentage points higher yielding than its closest hybrid rival on the AHDB Recommended List, Hyvido Bazooka – equating to 0.3 t/ha extra
- Early maturity, good Rhynchosporium resistance and long straw
- Set to be an important new winter feed barley for growers in Scotland and Northern England
