Speaking at the launch of Monroe at the Scottish Agronomy Fife trials site, Tom Nickerson of breeder’s agents Ebbage Seeds reviewed the detailed trials now in progress.

“We believe Monroe will be a key choice for growers in Scotland and the north of England this year, so we want to introduce the variety to growers with the maximum management information possible for a new variety.

“We know that Monroe has consistently outyielded the principal soft wheats grown in Scotland in trials at Scottish Agronomy two years running.

“We were also impressed with its consistency – Monroe came first in Scottish Agronomy 2015 trials in Glenrothes, St Boswells and Ellon as well as in NL2 trials at Humbie.

“Now, as the variety moves to its first commercial autumn drilling, we are looking for the best management package.

“For this season, the comprehensive Scottish Agronomy trials are examining 300/m2 and 400/m2 seed rates with differing fungicide and PGR regimes. There are also a series of plots comparing Monroe’s performance in the field with other leading varieties.

“We’ve already issued a first guide to Monroe, and the results from this work by Scottish Agronomy will be used as the basis for a full Husbandry Guide to be ready in time for this autumn’s drilling.

“Our objective for the variety is to launch it with the maximum practical information for growers – this is why we are working on development of the variety in conjunction with Scottish Agronomy.

“There are a number of seed crops across Scotland and the north of England in the ground now, hence Monroe will be available this autumn from all principal merchants,” he added.

Variety background

Breeding: Monroe winter wheat is from the same stable as Belepi and Monterey and is the latest offering of John Blackman Agriculture. Parentage is JB Diego x Monterey.

Quality: A soft endosperm winter wheat with a high specific weight which ensures yield is maintained in seasons of low sunlight. It has a low hagberg score but high sprouting resistance. It will undergo commercial tests for distilling following 2016 harvest.

Agronomy: A sound package of disease resistance with no particular weaknesses. Slightly taller than Leeds, suggesting a plant growth regulator at T1 would help manage risk. An eyespot fungicide will safeguard standing, while a septoria spray would be recommended for all Scottish crops irrespective of resistance scores. The variety is resistant to Orange Wheat Blossom Midge, minimising insecticide use.

Disease profile: Mildew 7, Yellow Rust 8, Brown Rust 9, Septoria tritici 5, Septoria nodorum 6, Eyespot 5 (based on BSPB and UK NL data)

Maturity: Its maturity profile suits Scottish and northern growers as it can be drilled from early September and has no maturity issues. For comparison, it is similar to Horatio and noticeably earlier than Revelation.