Wheat Research

[smokeyjay]

Here is a good link for info on wheat research into wheat diseases. 

http://kswheat.com/news/2014/11/26/shutting-it-down

[sw363535]

Occasionally I wonder about a few of the wheat varieties that are promoted.

I think we have always had varieties that certain diseases and fungus problems.

But 40 years ago they would not have been considered marketable.  

A fungus or disease problem would have kept them out of the field.. even with a yield advantage..

Sometimes I wonder if they are promoted now to help sell fungicide.

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

Interesting thought.  I've heard (no source so I can't prove it at all) that 90% of us now alive would not have survived on the Serengheti plains just for bad eye sight alone.  Maybe we can sell seed that is strong in one trait because we can overcome it's weakness in another.  

[sw363535]

i think so, Jim

Also, we are markwting and producing for a bigger audience or region these days...  fewer producers of everything.

And we have more ways to broaden the appeal of a high proformance variety....

One has to remember to adjust the claims to the environment it is grown in........ or bred for.

Hybrids ---especially in wheat are not adapted for location like they were 50 years ago.  More of a one size fits all issue.

some areas need tall variesies for snow catching stubble Yet the same producer will have some irrigation that creates different issues...

And tall and tough have not been the priority....  western ks producers, at one time, would trade yield potential for toughness and early growth vigor,,...... not sure that is still true.

[sw363535]

Smokeyjay,

A very nice link

[smokeyjay]

Welcome. 

[smokeyjay]

Viruses and fungus adapt quickly, and that complicates wheat breeding. During a seminar Q and A with Dr. Alan Fritz, KSU wheat breeder, he made a comment that older, out of date varieties like 2137 might actually do well now, as diseases have adapted to the newer varieties. I may actually plant a small field to 2137, as that was my "go to" reliable favorite before Everest came along. 

[sw363535]

i was thinking more on the lines of Wichita or Scout 66, maybe Larned..............

I spent the week spraying 2015 wheat stubble in prep for milo planting....

the last 5 years are affecting my thinking....  Kind of forgot what it was like to raise decent wheat....

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[Shaggy98]

Larned you say SW.  That brings back memories.  Spent many of hours on a 930 Case stacking bales of straw we rolled up behind the combine for cattle bedding from the Larned variety.  They just don't breed em as tall as that any more.