High yielding wheats well suited to later sowing

Wheat growers looking for a good second wheat variety, or one suited to later drilling, can rely on Nickerson varieties Einstein and Istabraq this autumn as both perform well in these situations.

In HGCA Recommended List trials Einstein was the highest yielding quality wheat when grown in the second wheat slot and when drilled as a first wheat after mid September. Similarly Istabraq was the highest yielding of all the currently recommended feed wheat varieties in these situations (see Tables 1 and 2).
 

Table 1.HGCA Recommended List Trials yield results, where crop was grown as a second wheat
a) quality wheats   b) feed wheats
 
a)                                 2004
Einstein                      106
Xi19                           103
Malacca                      97
b)                                
Istabraq                       106
Deben                         104
Napier                         105
Consort                      100
 

Table 2.HGCA Recommended List Trials results, for late autumn sown crops
a) quality wheats      b) feed wheats )

a)                                 2004
Einstein                      104
Xi19                           103
Malacca                      98
b)
Istabraq                       110
Deben                         104
Napier                         101
Consort                      101                
[Source: HGCA website~ 5 year mean]
 

"Einstein has achieved high yields across the board this season, and consistently performs well wherever and whenever it is sown. Its good eyespot resistance probably helps it in a second wheat situation," say senior wheat breeder Bill Angus. "And taller varieties, like Istabraq, tend to do better than shorter varieties when drilled later,
although this is not always the case.
 

"The robust testing regime within our breeding programme has produced a range of varieties over the years, which can achieve high yields in prime positions but can also perform very well in more demanding conditions." 
 

While wheat seed supplies generally remain tight this autumn, due to the poor weather at harvest, there are still some stocks of Einstein and Istabraq available advises Nickerson cereals marketing manager, Lee Robinson
 

"For more information on cereal seed availability, farmers should contact their local merchant, or Nickerson Direct on 01472 371220 as soon as possible," Mr Robinson says.

For further information contact: Frank Curtis on 01472 371471 or fcurtis@nickerson.co.uk