Growers have less than 12 months to wait for access to the first of the new generation wheat varieties being developed by Australian Grain Technologies (AGT), a joint venture of the Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), University of Adelaide and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).

AGT Scythe* - which continues the Roseworthy Agricultural College tradition of naming wheat varieties after bladed weapons or implements - is expected to be available in large quantities for 2006. It was developed by AGT wheat breeders Gill Hollamby, Steve Jefferies and Haydn Kuchel.

AGT Scythe* is a mid-season variety that has good stem rust resistance, making it a valuable option for growers in South Australia, however because of its seedling susceptibility and moderate-susceptible adult rating for stripe and leaf rust, it hasn't been classified for delivery in New South Wales or Victoria where the risk of leaf diseases is generally higher.

In South Australia, AGT Scythe* - formerly RAC1055 - is classified as a hard-grained APW wheat with a grain size, screenings and hectolitre weight similar to Yitpi*. Two years of trials have established that it is widely adaptable and quite reliable in low to medium rainfall areas.

In SA trials last year - in a season not suited to mid-season varieties - it yielded more than its reference variety Frame. It consistently yielded higher than Yitpi* and H45*.

AGT has some more interesting wheat varieties in the pipeline. Growers and the Australian Government through the GRDC are funding a project to produce high-yielding drought-tolerant wheats with a range of disease resistance.

One of these is in the national variety testing (NVT) program and has so far put in a "very promising" performance in low rainfall environments such as SA's upper Eyre Peninsula. It is expected to be released next year. A frost tolerant wheat variety is also in the pipeline.

These are important developments in breeding. Australian plant breeders continually face the challenges posed by increasing climate variability and the constraints of our fragile and infertile soils when developing new varieties. These new generation wheats are likely to be important steps on the road to meeting these challenges.

For more information contact Steve Jefferies on (08) 8303 7835.

* Varieties protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994.