Zhana

The Zhana spring barley variety is a medium-maturing, two-row brewing barley recommended for cultivation in the West Siberian region, particularly in the Omsk Oblast. The vegetation period ranges from 67 to 86 days, allowing the variety to ripen 1-3 days earlier than the Signal variety and 3-5 days later than Biom and Omsk 91 varieties. The plant has a short average height, semi-erect bush, and lodging resistance, which contributes to forming a productive stem stand. The ear is pyramidal, cylindrical, loose with medium to strong wax coating, and long, serrated awns with anthocyanic tips. The grain is large, uniform, with an unglued ventral groove and covering lodicule, with 1000-grain weight varying from 46 to 57 grams. Zhana variety is characterized by high technological efficiency and adaptability to cultivation zones, adapted to poor soils and resistant to stem breakage in full maturity. Its drought resistance is 0.5-1.0 points lower than Signal and Biom standards annually. Protein content in the grain ranges from 10.4-13.5%, ensuring high quality brewing raw material. The variety is moderately susceptible to stone and dusty rust, susceptible to helminthosporium, and highly susceptible to root rots. High grain quality and brewing properties have been recognized by leading companies such as Heineken, and the variety is included in the green list of top brewing barley category A. The Zhana variety yields an average of 28.4 centners per hectare in the region, with an increase of 2.4 centners per hectare compared to the Omsk 91 standard in the Omsk Oblast at a yield of 26 centners. The highest yield was recorded in the Tyumen Oblast and reached 84.2 centners per hectare in 2011. Due to the combination of high yield, lodging resistance, and grain quality, Zhana variety is a promising choice for the brewing industry and farmers oriented towards producing high-quality barley under Western Siberian conditions.