Biotech Updates

Victorian-era Barley Variety has Valuable Disease Resistance Trait, Scientists Find

April 17, 2013

Researchers from John Innes Centre (JIC) in the United Kingdom have revived the classic heritage barley Chevallier which was popular during the Victorian period. With the knowledge that old varieties are a rich source of new genes, the JIC scientists have conducted further study on Chevallier through the institute's Genetic Resources Unit as part of a barley improvement project.

Historic records indicate that the variety produced premium quality malt and good yields. The scientists also discovered that Chevallier had valuable disease resistance that can prevent contamination of grain with mycotoxins, which are a concern in the malting industry.

View JIC's news release at http://news.jic.ac.uk/2013/04/beer-brewed-from-victorian-barley-variety/.