Maida, a new oat variety, has been developed and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, according to Al Schneiter, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Department of Plant Sciences chair.

Maida, is a cross between the experimental line ND873126 and AC Assiniboia. Mike McMullen, NDSU oat breeding program leader, made the cross in the university greenhouse in fall 1997.

The variety is a yellow-seeded oat. The most positive aspect of Maida is that it has resistance to the new race of stem rust. Stem rust is a disease that has occurred sporadically, but can be devastating to yields.

Maida is expected to replace Assiniboia, which is similar in yield and quality to Maida, but has no stem rust resistance. One of the areas where stem rust most often occurs is in northeastern North Dakota.

When compared with Assiniboia at 10 locations in 2004, Maida yielded 2 bushels per acre more, had almost 1 pound per bushel greater test weight and headed three days earlier. The percentage of groats of Maida was equal to Assiniboia, while the percentage of kernels across a 5/64 screen was similar and the kernel weight was slightly smaller.

Whole-oat protein was almost 1 percent greater, while groats protein was 2.5 percent higher. Groats oil was 0.4 percent higher.

In 2003, averaged across Fargo, Casselton and Carrington sites, Maida yielded 7 bushels per acre more than Assiniboia and had an almost 1 pound per bushel greater test weight. At the same locations, Maida headed three days earlier and was equal in lodging to Assiniboia.

Maida is named after a town in northern Cavalier County. The word Maida is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning maiden.

Maida will be allocated through the County Crop Improvement Association in spring 2006. The NDSU Research Foundation will apply for plant variety protection with Title V and assess research fees of 20 cents per bushel on registered and certified seed.