Australia
February 9, 2009
Source:
Australian Grain
Technologies (AGT)
Waagan is a quick maturing wheat
with an impressive ability to yield, topping the Beckom National
Variety Trial (NVT) in 2008. Its is also ranked number one for
yield in the south-west New South Wales NVTs from 2005 to 2008
Waagan* is a Wiradjuri word meaning crow, the name is not only
significant to the Wiradjuri people but also to wheat breeding
in Wagga Wagga which began with Nathan Cobb and William Farrer
in 1893. Federation was Farrer’s first and most famous wheat
variety released in 1901, while Waagan is likely to be the last
released from the prolific breeding program at Wagga Wagga
Agricultural Institute.
Phil O’Hare spotted Waagan* a number of years ago in trials
conducted on his farm ‘Greendale’, at Beckom, when it topped the
trial by more than ten percent. Phil is excited about the
release and said, “It is fast growing and fast maturing, and
does well in good and bad seasons. It is a magnificent yielder
with good agronomic characteristics.
“It isn’t a prolific tillerer but the heads fill out well and
the grain finishes well, even under adverse conditions. With the
experience we have with Waagan* now, I believe we can’t go
wrong.”
Phil’s son Mike said, “Yield-wise nothing can touch it for late
sowing.”
Bernard Hart, Hart Bros Seeds, Junee Reefs says, “Waagan* is a
very quick wheat, short in stature, with even heads and the
large grain is easy to thresh. It will suit those guys who need
a quick maturing variety to sow after mid-May opening rains.”
Waagan* will be best suited to the short season environments of
the south-western cropping zone of NSW. Phil O’Hare recommends
not sowing it before 20th May on high country, and where there
is a frost risk sow after 25th May.
Waagan* will improve the sowing logistics, allow the use of a
double-knock for weed management and add diversity to the whole
cropping program.
Waagan* is currently being assessed for its reaction to the Yr27
strain of stripe rust found at two locations in 2008. Depending
on its adult plant reaction to this strain, the stripe rust
rating is likely to drop from moderately resistant (MR) where it
currently stands. The final stripe rust reaction rating will not
be known until it can be assessed in the field under normal
conditions in the spring of 2009. Growers purchasing Waagan* for
2009 planting should monitor crops carefully and be prepared to
apply a fungicide before a significant epidemic establishes.
Waagan* is rated more tolerant of acid soils than Janz but not
as good as the acid tolerant varieties, such as Diamondbird.
Waagan* has been graded ASW quality which Mike and Phil O’Hare
believe is no great problem. There are plenty of markets for
industrial wheat and for stockfeed which buy on protein and not
variety.
Waagan* seed is available through AGT Affiliates Like most new
variety releases Waagan* is subject to End Point Royalty (EPR)
which funds future wheat breeding research and evaluation.
Growers will be subject to a Growers Agreement that acknowledges
an EPR has to be paid on all production other than seed retained
for planting.
Waagan* was bred and extensively evaluated (under the
experimental designation WW12410) by former NSW DPI Wheat
Breeder Peter Martin and the variety was derived from a cross
involving CIMMYT germplasm and Janz.
For further information:
www.ausgraintech.com
*
Variety protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994. |
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