The Release and Registration of “Kejewa” Malt Barley (HordeumdistichonL.) Variety

Kejewais a common name for newly released six row type malt barley (HordeiumvulgareL.) variety with a pedigree designation of TOCTE/M112/6/VMORALES CBSS04 M00436T-11M-0Y-0M-3M-0AP. The variety has been developed and released by Sinana agricultural research center for commercial production in the high potential barley growing areas. It has been tested at Sinana, Robe, Adet and Jima areas during 2022-2023 main cropping seasons. Kejewa showed high mean grain yield, tolerant to major barley disease and relatively stable across locations and years than the standard checks (HB1963, Moeta and HB1964) with good physical and malting quality acceptable for industrial demand. The malt quality parameters including malt extract, protein content and friability were evaluate and comparative to the standard sated by the malt factories for malt production in the country. Kejewa was tolerant to barley shoot fly than checks and exhibit compensatory growth after shoot fly damage.