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Plant breeder DSV showcased its latest PhomaBlocker and Powerful Pods oilseed rape varieties at last month’s Cereals event. “Our PhomaBlocker technology has taken on... PhomaBlocker rape varieties showcased

Plant breeder DSV showcased its latest PhomaBlocker and Powerful Pods oilseed rape varieties at last month’s Cereals event.

“Our PhomaBlocker technology has taken on added significance following recent Rothamsted Research findings the disease is becoming resistant to azole fungicides across Europe,” explains DSV UK’s Sarah Hawthorne.

“With three different types of phoma resistance in different combinations, the first UK varieties containing PhomaBlocker are now in AHDB candidate trials with potential recommended listings at the end of 2024.”

Enhanced harvest protection is also under the DSV spotlight with its latest RL addition DSV Dolphin the first of a new generation of hybrid OSR varieties combining specific traits to protect against adverse conditions later in the season, she adds.

“Pod shatter genetics, contained in several DSV oilseed rape varieties and others on the recommended list, have done much to highlight the issue of harvest seed shed.

Different characteristics

“But it is widely understood how a variety performs during its growth and at harvest is the function of many different characteristics rather than just a single gene or property of a variety.

“DSV breeders have identified three key pod characteristics which when combined form the basis of our Powerful Pods technology. These are greater flexibility of the pod structure, improved function of the pod valve margins and greater space around individual seeds.

In DSV’s own random impact tests, where pods from different varieties are bombarded with steel ball bearings in controlled conditions, DSV Dolphin achieved one of the best scores for seed retention, says Ms Hawthorne.

“Results from an AHDB analysis have also shown little difference in the performance of DSV Dolphin with regard to seed loss compared to many popular pod shatter varieties.”