Cropping

InterGrain launches Zena CL as new barley variety

Grain Central, August 29, 2022

InterGrain CEO Tress Walmsley and barley breeder David Moody launching Zena CL at Croppa Creek, NSW, last week. Photo: InterGrain

INTERGRAIN has this month launched a new Clearfield barley variety, Zena CL, in time for planting next year.

Formerly known by its breeding code IGB20125T, Zena CL offers a mid-maturity and vigorous plant type, is well suited to medium to high-rainfall environments, and is agronomically similar to RGT Planet.

InterGrain trials over the past three years, and NVT trials in 2021, indicate Zena CL yields are similar to those of RGT Planet.

“Zena CL is the first Clearfield barley targeted for these environments, enabling more growers to take advantage of this technology for their rotations,” Grains Innovation Australia (GIA) breeder Michael Materne said.

Dr Materne developed the variety with InterGrain.

InterGrain barley breeder David Moody said Zena CL provides growers in medium to high-rainfall districts with a high-yielding option for use within the IMI barley rotation.

“Grower interest has been strong due to interest in an IMI tolerant variety with similar agronomic attributes to RGT Planet,” Mr Moody said.

“As well as similar yield potential to RGT Planet, Zena CL has good levels of resistance to powdery mildew and leaf rust.

“Like RGT Planet, Zena CL is susceptible to both the Net Form and Spot Form of Net Blotch.

“Zena CL possess similar physical grain quality characteristics and lodging tolerance and head loss risk as RGT Planet.”

Zena CL has been submitted to Australia’s malt accreditation program. with earliest potential final accreditation by March 2024.

Zena CL possesses the Clearfield herbicide-tolerance trait developed by Agriculture Victoria Services, which is currently exclusively licensed to InterGrain.

The presence of the trait provides Zena CL with tolerance to registered label rates of APVMA-approved IMI herbicides, offering growers the ability to control brome and barley grass within the barley rotation.

The Clearfield trait provides increased rotational flexibility when other IMI tolerant crops have been grown the previous year and where there are concerns about soil residues.

Zena CL also provides the opportunity for effective control of conventional self-sown cereals within barley crops using APVMA registered imidazolinone chemistry.

Zena CL was bred and developed collaboratively by GIA, a private breeding company developing varieties, and InterGrain, through a barley-breeding partnership.

InterGrain is 62-per-cent owned by the Western Australian Government, with the Grains Research and Development Corporation holding the balance.

Zena CL is available for planting in 2023 from InterGrain Seedclub Members and resellers.

Image: InterGrain Barley Breeder David Moody and CEO Tress Walmsley launching Zena CL
at Croppa Creek, NSW last Friday 26th August 2022.

Source: InterGrain

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