Barley varieties registered in the Czech Republic after the harvest 2022 Odrůdy

After the 2022 harvest, seven new varieties of malt - ing barley were registered in the Czech Republic. After three years of testing, spring barley varieties Ambiana, Gingko, Kimberly, KWS Thalis, LG Ludvik, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima were registered. Based on the results obtained, LG Ludvik was recommended for the produc - tion of beer with the protected geographical indication 'České pivo'. This variety showed low activity of prote - olytic and cytolytic enzymes and low level of final at - tenuation. The other spring barley varieties (Ambiana, Gingko, Kimberly, KWS Thalis, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima) gave sweet wort with extract content in malt dry matter ranging from 82.6 to 84.6%. The varieties Ambiana, Gingko, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima had extract contents of more than 83%. Proteolytic mod - ification was high (Kolbach Index above 50%) in the varieties Gingko, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima. The β-glucan content in sweet wort below 100 mg/l was re - corded in the varieties Gingko and LG Rhapsody. Cell wall degradation (friability 85–94%) and final attenua - tion (81.7–83.0%) were at optimum levels in Ambiana, Gingko, Kimberly, KWS Thalis, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima. Gingko, Kimberly and LG Rhapsody always produced clear sweet wort. Low to zero lipoxygenase activity was found in KWS Thalis.


Klíčová slova: ječmen; odrůdy; sladovnická kvalita 1 Introduction
The registered varieties passed three years of testing.The year 2020 was above normal in temperature (9.1 °C) and rainfall (766 mm), the year 2021 was normal in temperature (8.0 °C) and rainfall (683 mm).The year 2022 was above normal with an average temperature of 9.2 °C, but in terms of rainfall (632 mm), it was classified as a normal year.The period of 1991-2020 was normal in terms of rainfall and temperature (Tolasz et al., 2021(Tolasz et al., , 2022(Tolasz et al., , 2023)).The course of weather in each trial site influenced grain nitrogen content and pregermination.

Materials and methods
In this study, technological and agronomic parameters of malting spring barley varieties Ambiana, Gingko, Kimberly, KWS Thalis, LG Ludvik, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima were evaluated (Table 1).The barley varieties were evaluated according to the Protocol for Official Examination of Value for Cultivation and Use -Barley (Dvořáčková, 2019).Standard (previously registered) varieties were also grown on the same sites.Laudis 550 and Francin are the standard varieties for the varieties recommended for the production of beer with the protected geographical indication 'České pivo' (Commission Regulation, 2008).KWS Amadora and Spitfire are the standard varieties for the varieties with high extract content, high proteolytic modification and high values of final attenuation.
The malting quality of these varieties was assessed on the basis of analyses of 12 malt samples obtained between 2020 and 2022.The grain samples (fraction over 2.5 mm) were supplied by CISTA.
The samples were micro-malted in KVM´s equipment (Czech Republic).The method used for micro-malting was based on the MEBAK (2011).
Steeping took place in the steeping box for 72 hours, with alternating wet stages and air rests.Water and air temperatures were maintained at 14.0 °C.Duration of wet stages and air rests: on the first day, the wet stage took 5 hours and the air rest 19 hours, on the second day, the wet stage took 4 hours and was followed by 20 hour-air rest.On the third day, the water content of the germinating grains was adjusted to 45% by steeping or spraying.
Germination took place in the germination box.The temperature during germination was maintained at 14.0 °C.The total germination time was 72 hours.
Kilning took place in a single-floor electrically heated kiln.The free-drying stage lasted 12 hours at 55 °C.During the forced drying stage, the temperature was gradually increased for 6 hours up to 75 °C.The curing stage was carried out for 4 hours at 80 °C.
Malt quality was determined according to the methods described in MEBAK (2011MEBAK ( , 2018) ) and EBC Analysis Committee (2010).The methods used are shown in Table 2.

Selection of trial sites
The basic characteristics of the trial sites are given in the Barley Year Book 2022 (Psota, 2022).Each year, grain samples of the standard varieties were collected from all trial sites.The level of pregermination and nitrogen content were determined in the grain samples collected.Sites with pregerminated grains were excluded from further monitoring.Subsequently, four sites were selected with grain nitrogen content of barley ranging from 10.2 to 11.0%.Samples were taken from these sites for micromalting and subsequent analysis of the malt produced.

Agronomic characteristics
The agronomic characteristics of spring barley varieties Ambiana, Gingko, Kimberly, KWS Thalis, LG Ludvik, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima were evaluated based on the results obtained from trials conducted in 2020-2022.Yield of grain and yield of grain over 2.5 mm were separately determined for the maize, sugar beet, cereal and potato testing areas.The testing areas are described in the Barley Year Book 2022 (Psota, 2022).Disease resistance and other important agronomic traits were also assessed (Table 3).

Results and discussion
The results of malt quality of the spring barley varieties Ambiana, Gingko, Kimberly, KWS Thalis, LG Ludvik, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima are summarized in Table 2. Important agronomic characteristics are listed in Table 3.
The LG Ludvik variety recommended for the production of beer with the PGI 'České pivo' (Commission Regulation, 2008) had a higher extract content in malt dry matter and a lower proteolytic modification (Kolbach Index 40.6%) associated with a lower soluble nitrogen and free amino nitrogen (FAN) content, compared to the standard varieties Laudis 550 and Francin.Cell wall degradation (friability 85%) was better in LG Ludvik than in the standard varieties.
The varieties Gingko, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima had the same or higher extract content in malt dry matter than the standard varieties KWS Amadora and Spitfire, with Gingko and LG Rhapsody having an extract content of 84.6%.Only Gingko, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima had the same or higher level of proteolytic modification compared to the standard varieties, with Gingko having the Kolbach Index of 54.2%.Gingko also showed higher values of soluble nitrogen and FAN than the standard varieties.Only the varieties Gingko and LG Rhapsody had cytolytic modification (high friability and low β-glucan values in sweet wort) at the level of standard varieties.The quality of the sweet wort composition, as determined by the degree of final attenuation, was equal to or higher than that of the standard varieties for Ambiana, Gingko, Kimberly, KWS Thalis, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima, with LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima showing final attenuation of 83%.Only the Gingko, Kimberly and LG Rhapsody varieties provided clear sweet wort in all cases.Low to no lipoxygenase enzyme activity was found in the KWS Thalis variety.
ic modification was at an optimum level (Kolbach Index 46.8%).The sweet wort had higher soluble nitrogen content (803 mg/l) and moderate FAN content in the sweet wort (188 mg/l).FAN therefore accounted for 23% of the soluble nitrogen in the sweet wort.Cell wall degradation was optimal and varied about 87%, the β-glucan content of the sweet wort (148 mg/l) and the viscosity value of the sweet wort were at satisfactory level.The quality of the sweet wort was at the optimum level (final attenuation of 81.7%).The variety gave clear sweet wort in most cases.
Ambiana is a mid-early malting variety.
The plants are low.The variety is medium to less resistant to lodging, medium resistant to resistant to stem breaking.It provides medium big to big grains and a high portion of sieving fractions over 2.5 mm.
The variety is resistant to powdery mildew of barley on the leaf, resistant to leaf rust of barley, medium resistant to the complex of leaf spots, medium resistant to resistant to scald of barley, medium resistant to head blight of barley.
The variety achieved a very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the untreated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area and in both variants of growing in the potato area; high in both variants of growing in the maize area and in the treated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area.
The utility value is given by the combination of a very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the untreated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area and in both variants of growing in the potato area, a high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in both variants of growing in the maize area and in the treated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area, resistance to leaf rust of barley and a very good malting quality.
The variety Gingko, bred in Germany, at the optimal nitrogen content (10.2%) in non-malted grain, gave malt with rich extract content (84.6%) and a diastatic power at the optimal level (368 WK).Intensity of proteolytic modification was very high (Kolbach Index 54.2%).The sweet wort had a high content of soluble nitrogen (922 mg/l) and high content of FAN in the sweet wort (232 mg/l).FAN accounted for 25% of the soluble nitrogen in the sweet wort.Cytolytic modification was at an optimal level.The malt showed a high degree of cell wall degradation (friability 94%) and an optimal β-glucan content in the sweet wort (65 mg/l).The quality of the sweet wort composition was optimal (final attenuation of 82.7%).The variety gave clear sweet wort in all cases.
Gingko is a mid-early malting variety.
The plants are medium high.The variety is medium resistant to lodging, medium resistant to stem breaking.It provides medium big to big grains and a high portion of sieving fractions over 2.5 mm.
Podle Common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species (European Commission, 2023) je odrůda registrována v Německu.
The variety is resistant to powdery mildew of barley on the leaf, medium resistant to resistant to leaf rust of barley, medium resistant to the complex of leaf spots, medium resistant to resistant to scald of barley, medium resistant to head blight of barley.
The variety achieved a very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the untreated variant of growing in the maize area; high in the treated variant of growing in the maize area, in the untreated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area and in both variants of growing in the potato area; medium high to high in the treated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area.
The utility value is given by the combination of a very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the untreated variant of growing in the maize area, high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the treated variant of growing in the maize area, in the untreated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area and both variants of growing in the potato area and malting quality.
The variety Kimberly, bred in Denmark, at the optimal nitrogen content (10.3%) in non-malted grain, gave malt with a satisfactory extract content (82.6%) and a diastatic power at the optimal level (287 WK).Intensity of proteolytic modification was optimal (Kolbach Index 48.6%).The sweet wort had a high content of soluble nitrogen (858 mg/l) and a high content of FAN in the sweet wort (206 mg/l).FAN accounted for 24% of soluble nitrogen in the sweet wort.Cell wall degradation was optimal (friability 87%) and the β-glucan content of the wort was satisfactory (161 mg/l).The sweet wort had an optimum composition (final attenuation of 82.1%).The variety gave a clear sweet wort in all cases.
According to the Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species (European Commission, 2023), the variety is registered in Germany.
Kimberly is a mid-early malting variety.The plants are medium high.The variety is medium resistant to lodging, medium resistant to stem breaking.It provides medium big to big grains and a high portion of sieving fractions over 2.5 mm.
The variety is resistant to powdery mildew of barley on the leaf, medium resistant to leaf rust of barley, medium resistant to the complex of leaf spots, resistant to scald of barley, medium resistant to head blight of barley.
The variety had a very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the treated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area and in both variants of growing in the potato area; high in the treated variant of growing in the maize area and in the untreated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area; medium high in the untreated variant of growing in the maize area.
Podle Common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species (European Commission, 2023) je odrůda registrována ve Francii a Litvě.
V České republice vyšlechtěná odrůda LG Ludvik poskytovala, při optimálním obsahu dusíkatých látek (10,4 %) v nesladovaném zrnu, slad s vyhovujícím obsahem ex- The utility value is given by the combination of a very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the treated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal growing area and in both variants of growing in the potato area, high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the treated variant of growing in the maize growing area and in the untreated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area and very good malting quality.
The variety KWS Thalis, bred in Germany, provided at the satisfactory nitrogen content (10.1%) in non-malted grain malt with extract content (83%) and a diastatic power at the optimal level (307 WK).Intensity of proteolytic modification was satisfactory (Kolbach Index 49.2%).The sweet wort had high content of soluble nitrogen (830 mg/l) and high FAN content (202 mg/l).FAN accounted for 24% of the soluble nitrogen in the sweet wort.Cell wall degradation was optimal (friability 85%) and the β-glucan content of the sweet wort was satisfactory (165 mg/l).The quality of the sweet wort was optimal (81.7% final attenuation).The variety gave mostly clear sweet wort.The advantage of KWS Thalis is low to zero lipoxygenase activity (1.55 U/mg).
According to the Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species (European Commission, 2023), the variety is registered in France and Lithuania.
KWS Thalis is an early malting variety.
The plants are medium high to low.The variety is medium resistant to lodging, medium resistant to stem breaking.It provides medium big to big grains and a high portion of sieving fractions over 2.5 mm.
The variety is resistant to powdery mildew of barley on the leaf, medium resistant to leaf rust of barley, medium resistant to the complex of leaf spots, resistant to scald of barley, medium resistant to head blight of barley.
The variety achieved a very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the untreated variant of growing in the potato area; high to very high in the untreated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area; high in the treated variant of growing in the maize, sugar beet-cereal and potato areas; medium high to high in the untreated variant of growing in the maize area.
The utility value is given by the combination of very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the untreated variant of growing in the potato area, high to very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the untreated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area, high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the treated variant of growing in the maize, sugar beet-cereal and potato areas, earliness, very good malting quality and low to zero lipoxygenase activity.
(296 WK).Intensity of proteolytic modification was low (Kolbach Index 40.6%).The sweet wort had a lower content of soluble nitrogen (751 mg/l) and lower FAN content in the sweet wort (169 mg/l).FAN accounted for 23% of the soluble nitrogen in the sweet wort.Cell wall degradation characterised by friability was at an optimal level (85%) and the β-glucan content of the sweet wort was high (223 mg/l).The composition of the sweet wort was satisfactory (final attenuation 80.7%).The variety gave a weakly opalizing sweet wort in many cases.The haze of the sweet wort was at an acceptable level.
LG Ludvik has been recommended for the production of beer with the protected geographical indication 'České pivo' because it meets the requirements set out in the application for the protected geographical indication 'České pivo' (Commission Regulation, 2008).
LG Ludvik is a mid-early to mid-late malting variety.
The plants are medium high.The variety is medium to less resistant to lodging, medium resistant to stem breaking.It provides medium big to big grains and a high portion of sieving fractions over 2.5 mm.
The variety is resistant to powdery mildew of barley on the leaf, resistant to leaf rust of barley, medium resistant to the complex of leaf spots, medium resistant to resistant to scald of barley, medium resistant to head blight of barley.
The variety had a high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the untreated variant of growing in the potato area; medium high to high in the untreated variant of growing in the maize area and in the treated variant of growing in the potato area; medium high in the treated variant of growing in the maize area and both variants of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area.
The utility value is given by the combination of the high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the untreated variant of growing in the potato area, the resistance to leaf rust of barley and the malting quality that meets the requirements for the production of beer with the protected geographical indication 'České pivo'.
The variety LG Rhapsody, bred in the Netherlands, at the optimal nitrogen content (10.1%) in non-malted grain, gave malt with a rich extract content (84.6%) and a diastatic power at the optimal level (361 WK).The intensity of proteolytic modification was very high (Kolbach Index 52.9%).The sweet wort had a high content of soluble nitrogen (900 mg/l) and a high FAN content in the sweet wort (227 mg/l).FAN accounted for 25% of the soluble nitrogen in the sweet wort.The cytolytic modification was optimal.The malt showed a high degree of cell wall modification (friability 94%) and an optimal β-glucan content in the sweet wort (54 mg/l).The sweet wort had an optimum composition (final attenuation 83.0%).The variety gave a clear sweet wort in all cases.
Podle Common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species (European Commission, 2023) je odrůda registrována ve Francii.
According to the Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species (European Commission, 2023), the variety is registered in France.
LG Rhapsody is a mid-early to early malting variety.
The plants are medium high to low.The variety is medium resistant to lodging, medium resistant to stem breaking.It provides medium big grains and a high portion of sieving fractions over 2.5 mm.
The variety is resistant to powdery mildew of barley on the leaf, medium resistant to leaf rust of barley, medium resistant to the complex of leaf spots, resistant to scald of barley, medium resistant to head blight of barley.
The variety had high to very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the untreated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal and potato areas, high in the treated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal and potato areas, medium high in both variants of growing in the maize area.
The utility value is given by the combination of high to very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the untreated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal and potato areas, high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the treated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal and potato areas and malting quality.
The variety RGT Proxima, bred in France, at the optimal nitrogen content (10.1%) in non-malted grain, gave wort with a rich extract content (84%) and a diastatic power at the optimal level (341 WK).The intensity of proteolytic modification was high (Kolbach Index 52.3%).The sweet wort had a high content of soluble nitrogen (881 mg/l) and a high content of FAN in the sweet wort (220 mg/l).FAN accounted for 25% of the soluble nitrogen in the sweet wort.Cell wall degradation was optimal (friability 88%) and the β-glucan content of the sweet wort was satisfactory (156 mg/l).The sweet wort had an optimum composition (final attenuation 83.0%).The variety gave a weakly opalizing to opalizing sweet wort in most cases.The haze of the sweet wort was on average at an acceptable level (up to 4 EBC un.).
RGT Proxima is a mid-early malting variety.The plants are medium high.The variety is medium resistant to lodging, medium resistant to stem breaking.It provides medium big to big grains and a high portion of sieving fractions over 2.5 mm.
The variety is resistant to powdery mildew of barley on the leaf, medium resistant to leaf rust of barley, medium resistant to the complex of leaf spots, resistant to scald of barley, medium resistant to head blight of barley.
The variety had a very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in both variants of growing in the maize and potato areas; high in the treated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area; medium high to high in the untreated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area.
The utility value given by the combination of a very high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in both variants of growing in the maize and potato areas, high yield of grain over 2.5 mm in the treated variant of growing in the sugar beet-cereal area and the malting quality.

Conclusion
After the 2022 harvest, the results of the trials of the spring barley varieties obtained within the registration procedure were evaluated.In 2020-2022, samples of the varieties Ambiana, Gingko, Kimberly, KWS Thalis, LG Ludvik, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima were micromalted.The malts showed satisfactory to optimal extract content.The highest soluble nitrogen and FAN contents were found in Gingko, LG Rhapsody and RGT Proxima.These varieties also had the highest Kolbach Index values (above 50%) of the whole set of varieties evaluated.
Cell wall degradation in the evaluated varieties was at an optimal to high level.The content of β-glucans in the sweet wort was at an optimal level (below 100 mg/l) only in the varieties Gingko and LG Rhapsody and the content of β-glucans higher than 200 mg/l in the sweet wort was only detected in LG Ludvik.The quality of the sweet wort, as determined by the apparent final attenuation, was at an optimum level for the above varieties, with the exception of LG Ludvik.LG Ludvik was recommended for the production of beer with the protected geographical indication 'České pivo' on the basis of the values obtained (in particular the lower level of proteolytic modification and the lower level of final attenuation).The sweet wort of Gingko, Kimberly and LG Rhapsody was clear in all cases.The advantage of the KWS Thalis variety is its low to zero lipoxygenase activity.