Robust plant genetics withstand the toughest of seasons

GROWERS need to look behind the 'headline figures' and fully understand the robustness of their wheat variety genetics, according to Ron Granger, arable technical manager with Limagrain UK, commenting on this year's trials results.

“This season we have seen unprecedented levels of foliar disease from aggressive yellow rust races and some of the worst septoria tritici pressure that has been seen for many seasons. On top of this, high levels of take-all were seen at the end of the season affecting both first and second wheat yield potential,” he pointed out.

“Generally, the ability of wheat varieties to withstand this disease pressure has been very varied, with some genetics holding up well whilst other varieties have succumbed to the intense pressure.”

AHDB's provisional harvest results for 2016 state that the average wheat yields for 2016 were 10.7t/ha, which is close to the five-year average of 10.6t/ha, and he pointed out that whilst there were not many stand out yield performances from wheats this harvest, it’s the consistency of a varieties performance over differing seasons that is key.

“If a variety has managed to hold its own and produce yields up around the five-year average in what was one of the most challenging disease years, then you can be fairly confident that the genetics behind that variety are well tested and will continue to hold up to current 'known' pressures. The same principle would apply to quality,” he argued.

“Evolution has performed well this season both in a first wheat situation and in the more problematic second wheat situation, and, like KWS Santiago, showed good consistency for yield over many seasons which growers consider an important attribute for continual on farm performance."

Yield performance (region, rotation, soil type and sowing date)

Evolution KWS Santiago JB Diego

Yield

UK + fungicide 105 105 102

East + fungicide 105 105 101

West + fungicide 103 104 103

North + fungicide 107 107 102

Untreated 87 75 84

Rotational and soil type

First cereal 104 105 102

Second/cont wheat 106 106 102

Light soils 107 106 103

Heavy soils 104 105 101

Sowing date

Late sown (Mid-Nov to end Jan) 104 106 (101)

All data is from the AHDB Recommended Lists database.