Pullman, Washington
April 27, 2009
Two new spring wheat varieties
will soon be available to state growers, thanks to scientists at
Washington State University.
“JD” is a new soft white, spring club variety. “Babe”
is a soft white, common spring wheat. Both varieties were bred
by professor Kim Kidwell, wheat breeder and associate dean for
academic programs in the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and
Natural Resource Sciences, and her research team.
“WSU’s wheat breeding program continues to listen to the needs
of the state’s wheat industry and respond with the best science
possible,” said Ralph Cavalieri, director of the WSU
Agricultural Research Center and associate dean in CAHNRS.
“These new varieties address specific issues spring wheat
growers face.”
Kidwell agreed. “Both of these varieties have high levels of
resistance to stripe rust, which will greatly expand growers’
options for combating this disease,” she said.
“JD” has excellent yield potential across a broad range of
production conditions and has exceptional milling and baking
quality, Kidwell said. It is an ideal choice for soft white
wheat producers hoping to capture club wheat premiums without
taking a yield hit.
“Babe” is a targeted as a high yielding replacement for
varieties, such as Alpowa, in the intermediate to high rainfall
zones. Babe has improved emergence, high test weight, enhanced
stripe rust resistance and improved end-use quality for making
cookies, cakes and pastries compared to Alpowa. |
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