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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Post head-emergence frost resistance of barley genotypes in the northern grain region of Australia

T. M. Frederiks A D , J. T. Christopher B , S. E. H. Fletcher A and A. K. Borrell C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Agri-Science Queensland, Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), Leslie Research Facility, PO Box 2282, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia.

B The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Leslie Research Facility, PO Box 2282, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia.

C The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Hermitage Research Facility, 604 Yangan Road, via Warwick, Qld 4370, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: troy.frederiks@deedi.qld.gov.au

Crop and Pasture Science 62(9) 736-745 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP11079
Submitted: 23 March 2011  Accepted: 7 September 2011   Published: 10 November 2011

Abstract

Post head-emergence frost causes substantial losses for Australian barley producers. Varieties with improved resistance would have a significant positive impact on Australian cropping enterprises. Five barley genotypes previously tested for reproductive frost resistance in southern Australia were tested, post head-emergence, in the northern grain region of Australia and compared with the typical northern control cultivars, Gilbert and Kaputar. All tested genotypes suffered severe damage to whole heads and stems at plant minimum temperatures less than −8°C. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, frost events reaching a plant minimum temperature of ~−6.5°C did not result in the complete loss of grain yield. Rather, partial seed set was observed. The control genotype, Gilbert, exhibited seed set that was greater than or equal to that of any genotype in each year, as did Kaputar when tested in 2005. Thus, Gilbert and Kaputar were at least as resistant as any tested genotype. This contrasts with trial results from the southern grain region where Gilbert was reported to be less resistant than Franklin, Amagi Nijo and Haruna Nijo. Hence, rankings for post head-emergence frost damage in the northern grain region differ from those previously reported. These results indicate that Franklin, Amagi Nijo and Haruna Nijo are not likely to provide useful sources of frost resistance or markers to develop improved varieties for the northern grain region of Australia.

Additional keywords: in-head frost, reproductive frost, spring radiant frost.


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