Abstract The re‐introduction of malting barley production into non‐traditional growing regions has created a demand for new varieties that tolerate the biotic and abiotic stresses prevalent in those regions. ‘Excelsior Gold’ (Reg. no. CV‐386, PI 705030) and ‘HudsonNY’ (Reg. no. CV‐385, PI 705029) are two‐row spring malting barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars developed and released by the Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station in 2020 that combine spot blotch ( Bipolaris sorokiniana Sacc) and preharvest sprouting resistance (PHS) with local adaptation and acceptable malting quality. In statewide yield trials conducted by Cornell University, Excelsior Gold and HudsonNY performed similarly to ‘AAC Synergy’ and ‘Newdale’ in yield, with higher test weight, an earlier heading date, higher PHS resistance, and greater height with equal or less lodging than AAC Synergy and Newdale. Excelsior Gold and HudsonNY have DON levels like AAC Synergy. Excelsior Gold and HudsonNY have acceptable malting quality compared to AAC Synergy, but the beta‐glucan is somewhat elevated in Excelsior Gold.
Sweeney et al. (Fri,) studied this question.