NEW WHEAT HONOURS FRANK ELLISON

Narrabri based Sunprime Seeds P/L has named its new Prime Hard wheat release after highly regarded University of Sydney/Sunprime wheat breeder Frank Ellison, who died last year.

Sunprime Ellison (Sun366A) is intended as a replacement for Suneca, with improved grain yield, quality, yellow spot tolerance and rust resistance characteristics.

Sunprime Seeds CEO Kerrie Gleeson said Ellison had out-yielded Suneca by 10 per cent in Narrabri Plant Breeding Institute and New South Wales Agriculture trials in northern New South Wales.

In early planted experiments by New South Wales Agriculture between 1999 and 2002. Ellison had yielded 103% of Sunbri in northern NSW and 104% of Rosella in southern New South Wales.

"A mid season wheat, with similar maturity, height and straw strength to Suneca, Ellison has large grain size and good test weight," Mr Gleeson said. "Extensive testing indicates that it is a well balanced variety, with good milling, baking and alkaline noodle making characteristics. It is eligible for receival into the Prime Hard grade for Silogroup North of New South Wales, subject to meeting the receival standards for the grade."

Seed of Ellison will be available for 2005  plantings.

NEW FIELD PEA FOR THE NORTH

Graingrowers in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland have a new winter crop option with the release by Sunprime Seeds of Yarrum, the first dun seeded field pea selected and developed for the northern region.

The officer in charge of the Plant Breeding Institute at Narrabri, Stephen Moore, said Yarrum was a semi-leafless, semi-dwarf, purple flowered and dun type pea, medium flowering (90 to 100 days).

Optimum planting time in northern New South Wales and southern Qld would be from May 5 to June 5 ­ May 10 to June 10 in central NSW ­ for harvest in late October.

"Yarrum is resistant to powdery mildew, the major disease threat to field pea production in the region, and produces a dun pea with a large seed suitable for the human consumption market, subject to meeting specifications for the grade. It is also suitable for use in livestock rations," Mr Moore said.

Regionwide trials by NSW Agriculture, the University of Sydney and Queensland Department of Primary Industries indicated Yarrum could yield 150% of Kiley and Cressy blue, 170% of Mukta and 190% of Parafield.

Seed of  Yarrum will be available for 2005 plantings.

Enquiries: Sunprime Seeds P/L +61 02 6799 2231 / 02 6881 6210