MALTING QUALITY OF UNICULM AND CONVENTIONAL-TILLERING NEAR-ISOGENIC BARLEY LINES

The uniculm phenotype has been proposed as a component of a small grains ideotype that maximizes productivity. However, its effect on malting quality of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the uniculm phenotype, as conferred by the uc2 gene, on important traits that determine malting quality of barley. The barley cultivars 'Kindred' and Morex', along with their near-isogenic uniculm lines, were grown for two years at Palmer, Alaska, and grain samples were evaluated for malting quality. Kernel weight and plumpness were higher for the uniculm lines. However, barley protein, fine minus coarse extract, and wort protein were undesirably higher in the uniculm lines. Malt extract was significantly lower in the uniculm lines. Because of the negative effects on malting quality associated with the uniculm phenotype, it does not appear useful in the development of improved malting barley cultivars.