The consequences, for malting quality, of Hordeum laevigatum as a source of mildew resistance in barley breeding

SUMMARY Barley cultivars which include Hordeum laevigatum in their pedigree, have harder endosperms, higher β‐glucan and lower α‐amylase levels than do other cultivars of poor malting quality. Good malting cultivars are characterised by high hot water extracts, soft endosperms, low β‐glucan and high α‐amylase levels. Introgressions of exotic genes for mildew resistance, into breeding populations, may be accompanied by factors adversely affecting malting quality.