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February, 2003
A
new winter wheat variety, Mtskheta-1, was released in Georgia in
November of 2002. It has been the top variety of the state yield
trials of Georgia for the last three years, showing a yield
advantage of 10-40% over the local check varieties. Mtskheta-1
has demonstrated high yellow rust resistance and excellent
performance under both irrigated and dryland conditions.
Mtskheta-1 was selected from the
5th Facultative and Winter Wheat Observation Nursery, which came
to Georgia through International Winter Wheat Improvement
Program (IWWIP). IWWIP is a joint program conducted by the
Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,
CIMMYT, and the
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
(ICARDA).
Mtskheta-1 was identified and
promoted at the Mtskheta Breeding Station by Dr. Anton
Iakobashvili, a local breeder who first noticed that it
maintained its green color longer and yielded more than other
varieties in a dry year. However, Mtskheta-1’s advantages became
more obvious in years with good rainfall. Dr. Iakobashvili also
singled it out for its wide adaptation and high yield potential
(7-8 t/ha). Mr. Jemal Khatiashvili, a farmer and a member of the
state variety release committee, noted that he supported the
release of Mtskheta-1 for its high yield potential and
resistance to lodging.
At his farm in East Georgia,
Mtskheta-1 yielded as much as 4 t/ha, while Bezostaya-1 and
Copper experienced lodging and yellow rust, and yielded 2 t/ha
or less. Although Bezostaya-1 and Copper had slightly higher
grain protein content, high yielding Mtskheta-1 turned out to be
more profitable. For all these reasons, Mr. Khatiashvili
increased production of Mtskheta-1 fourfold in the current
season. |
