Kansas State University recently unveiled Danby, a new variety of hard white winter wheat which is closely related to Trego and, so far, has yields that compete with the state's top varieties, said Joe Martin, wheat breeding specialist at K-State's agricultural research center in Hays, Kan.

Danby was selected from a cross of Trego and a sister line variety to another type of wheat known as Betty. Trego was selected to improve stripe rust resistance and the sister line variety to another variety of wheat known as Betty was chosen to improve baking qualities.

The additive resistance to sprouting power that resulted from both sides was an unplanned bonus, Martin said.

"Although Danby's sprouting resistance power would make it acceptable for growth in central Kansas, it is better suited for production in western Kansas, primarily because Danby is not resistant to soil- borne mosaic virus," Martin said.

The new variety was named after an area known as Danby Valley located in Ness County. Ness County is the home of K-State research supporter, Larry Weeks who has provided space for K-State's wheat research for more than two decades.

The 4,500 bushels of seeds that were distributed to seed producers this summer have already sold out, Martin said. But, Danby will be more available for producers next year.

Funding for the research was provided by the Kansas Wheat Commission and the Kansas Crop Improvement Association.

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.