PEARL is an outstanding two-row winter barley with excellent malting quality, stiff straw and good all-round disease resistance.

Pearl is recommended by HGCA, SAC and DARD and has been fully approved for brewing by the Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD).

Data from the HGCA Recommended Lists database, full data at www.hgca.com.

On the 1-9 scales, high figures indicate that the variety shows the character to a high degree.

Bred by Nickerson.

HUSBANDRY GUIDELINES

Sow early-mid September on light, chalky soils but delay to October on stronger land. The latest safe sowing date for Pearl is mid-February.

For September sowings drill 300-325 seeds per square metre, increasing to 450 seeds for later drillings or into poorer seedbeds. Pearl has a high 1000 grain weight so seed rates should be adjusted accordingly.

NITROGEN
For malting barley, soils and rotations should be chosen that are known to produce a consistently good grain sample. It is extremely important that growers should be aware of buyers requirements for nitrogen content. Nitrogen applications should be adjusted accordingly with allowances also made for soil type, nitrogen index and the effect of strobilurin fungicides.

For feed barley apply up to 160 kg N/ha, the exact amount will depend on soil type and nitrogen index. Apply 40 kg N/ha at the end of February and remainder at the maximum primordia growth stage or at stem extension. This usually occurs in mid April.

FUNGICIDES
Pearl has good all-round disease resistance which may make it possible for savings to be made in fungicide costs, although net blotch may require attention. Autumn sprays are rarely econonic.

INSECTICIDES
In regions of the UK at risk from Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus infection, treatment is usually recommended for September sowings. Pearl is considerably more tolerant to this virus than most winter barley varieties so for marginal spray decisions, treatment is probably not justified.

GROWTH REGULATORS (PGR)
Pearl is one of the stiffer varieties of winter barley and when managed for malting is unlikely to require a routine PGR application, unless crop growth is excessive or the site very fertile.