Uncertainty surrounds whether top yielding feed wheat
Oakley will remain as a full UK recommendation on the HGCA
Recommended List, following a major revision of yellow rust
resistance ratings.
Oakley's score has been revised down by four points, falling
from six to two, meaning it is now classed as very low, along with
Robigus, following its breakdown to a new race.
Other popular varieties also affected include Group 1 Solstice,
which has fallen from nine to four, and the soft Group 4 wheat
Viscount, which has dropped from eight to four.
Oakley's position would be discussed at two meetings over the
next fortnight, HGCA's RL manager Jim McVittie confirmed. The
variety is one of the RL control varieties, but wouldn't be
recommended with such a low disease rating if it was a new
candidate variety.
"We've released the new ratings early to make it clear there is
an issue, and so growers can use the information for the coming
season," Dr McVittie said.
Despite its susceptibility to yellow rust, Oakley has performed
very well in trials (see p56). "It's the highest yielding variety
in RL trials and it's proving to be a popular choice again. It
accounts for almost 12% of the certified seed area."
But growers must be sure they could manage the disease threat,
he warned. "Grow an area you can spray in one or two days, plan to
use a T0 treatment and look at the seed treatment options."
Solstice, the most popular milling wheat, and soft Group 4
wheat Viscount, also needed careful management, he said.
Oakley seed was continuing to sell well, Peter James of
Frontier said. "It's our highest selling wheat variety by some
way. It's done well in trials and on-farm this year, both as a
first and a second wheat. Growers like it."
Yellow rust had proved easy to control, he claimed. "The
fungicides are very effective and growers are in the habit of using
a mix of varieties on-farm to help manage disease risk."
Norfolk-based independent agronomist Andrew Watson agreed a
robust fungicide programme would be required, with a T0 spray
essential.
"Having a very low score for yellow rust isn't the end of the
world," he said. "But growers must recognise a new variety with
such a low score wouldn't get listed."
Farmers would grow Oakley again in Norfolk, he said. "It's done
very well in the past."
But East Norfolk grower James Tallowin had already decided to
switch one third of the farm's feed wheat to JB Diego. "There just
isn't the same yellow rust concern or management requirement."
New Yellow Rust Ratings for key varieties
- 2 Oakley, Robigus
- 4 Gallant, Solstice, Viscount
- 5 Duxford, Einstein
- 6 Battalion, Cordiale, JB Diego
- 7 Grafton
- 8 Humber
- 9 Alchemy, Claire, Gladiator, Panorama, Scout