NEW WHEAT LINES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29503, 3 May 1961, Page 22

NEW WHEAT LINES

Committee Agrees To Release Two new mild*w-r*»lstant line* of wheat—Crow 7 (1981) and Hilgendorf (1961)—are to be released by th* Wheat Research Committee to grower! through the uaual channels for certified pedigree Deciding this yesterday, the committee acted on recommendations of the Wheat Specialists' Committee. Cross 7 (1981) is a new higher yielding strain of the earlier Cross 7 now designated as Cross 7 <1985). Cross 7 (1981) is equal in baking quality to the earlier strain and can be considered as an alternative to Aotea in areas where mildew is a problem. However, it is not suitable as a general replacement for Aotea, as the yield* ar* lower. Hilgendorf (1981) la higher yielding than the earlier strain, but has a similar high baking quality. First distribution of the seed will be made to districts where Hilgendorf ha* been found to be satisfactory. Further field trials will be necessary to determine whether the new strain can be grown satisfactorily in more districts. Both of the new lines are susceptible to stem-rust but resistance to this will later be incorporated in mildewresistant Hilgendorf.