A new winter wheat resistant to barley yellow dwarf virus is closing the yield gap with varieties without the trait, says
Yielding 102.8% on the new Recommended List, RGT Guardsman is the first BYDV-resistant wheat to yield greater than 100% of the controls – a significant landmark in the development of BYDV resistance.
Step forward
“Having a variety that protects against the virus without compromising yield potential is a huge step forward,” says RAGT arable technical manager Andrew Creasy. It effectively closes the yield gap, he adds.
“RGT Guardsman is the culmination of the first generation of varieties with BYDV resistance. Reaching over 100% yield was our main breeding target for this pipeline of material.”
When it comes to foliar disease, RGT Guardsman is rated 7 for yellow rust resistance and 6 for brown rust and septoria. It doesn’t have the YR15 yellow rust resistance gene, so it is unaffected by last year’s population change, says RAGY.
Good package
Agrii seed technical manager John Miles says RGT Guardsman has a decent all-round agronomic package. But its standing will need to be managed with a good PGR programme, especially in early drilling situations.
“RGT Guardsman is by far the best BYDV-resistant wheat variety that we have seen to date. BYDV resistance remains an important trait, and it is good to see it combined with a yield most farmers will view as acceptable,” he says.
“There have been a lot of aphids in crops in certain areas this autumn. If farmers notice BYDV in their fields this spring, they should take note. It highlights a background level of infection that becomes visible in a year with earlier drilling and mild conditions.”
In-built traits are an increasing focus for RAGT. Clubroot-resistant oilseed rape Crios has been listed for the northern region on the new Recommended List. It yields 97% of controls and a 7 for light leaf spot.
“This is combined with a 5 for maturity, meaning the crop doesn’t finish too quickly, ensuring a decent pod fill,” says Mr Creasy.
It has the characteristics to yiel well above average as a clubroot variety. Crios is also early to flower, providing ample opportunity for the crop to set pods right through the canopy in the spring, pushing yields.