The first new breadmaking winter wheat for six years, the first semi-dwarf winter oilseed rapes and separate lists for the east/west and north oilseed rape regions are key features of the HGCA Recommended Lists for 2009/10.

Gallant, the first wheat variety since 2002 to go straight into nabim Group 1, yielding 1% more than Xi19 and 5% more than Solstice, is joined by seven other varieties to cover all groups.

“There really is something for everyone,” said RL technical manager Bill Handley.

In Group 2 Panorama and Ketchum are joined by lower yielding Qplus, the first breadmaker with orange blossom midge resistance.

Scout in Group 3 has good grain characteristics, while soft-millers Viscount and Cassius, previously considered potential Group 3 types, are recommended as Group 4s along with hard-milling type Grafton.

The division of the winter rape list mainly reflects the fact that only 10% of the UK crop is grown in the north where light leaf spot resistance is especially important, explained RL manager Jim McVittie.

“We now see few varieties equally suited to both regions.”

All newcomers bar conventional Vision, recommended for the east/west, are restored hybrids.

Only one, DK Secure, the first of the pair of semi-dwarf types, is recommended for both regions. The other, PR45D03 is only for the east/west.

PR46W21, Dimension and Hammer are all recommended for the east/west.

Cuillin and Emerson for the North both have excellent light leaf spot resistance – rated 9, noted Mr McVittie.

here are three new spring barleys, all with malting potential – Cropton, Concerto and Forensic.

The sole new winter barley is the very high yielding six-row hybrid Volume, and the lone spring wheat addition is Group 2 Granary.

No new oats varieties have been added.

Visit the HGCA site for details of all the new varieties.