Sygenta to launch a winter wheat seed this autumn

A new winter wheat variety that could be a strong option when crop rotations dictate the need for later-drilling is being launched to growers for this autumn.

Ketchum from Syngenta, which is being marketed by Masstock, has been classed as a Group 2 variety by the National Association of British and Irish Millers.

Although added to the HGCA Recommended List in 2009, this will be the first autumn that seed will be fully available to growers for planting commercially, Samantha Smith of Syngenta points out.

"Of particular interest with Ketchum is that, on the HGCA Recommended List table for late autumn sown wheat 2010/11, it has an outstandingly-high UK treated yield figure of 109% of control varieties," Ms Smith explains.

"This is limited data, but it still equates to a yield of almost 10 t/ha from such late sowing. It’s also a figure that is higher than any other group 1, 2 or 3 variety in the table, and indeed a fair proportion of the group 4 feed varieties in the table.

"On the main HGCA Recommended List of winter wheat for 2010/11, Ketchum also has an excellent treated yield figure of 105% in a second or more wheat situation.

"Taken together, these point to Ketchum being a strong candidate for later drilling positions. Later drilling could include planting after wheat or planting after vegetables, potatoes or other crops.

"Also on the HGCA Recommended List of winter wheat for 2010/11, Ketchum has the highest figure for Fusarium ear blight resistance – with limited data putting this at a resistance rating of eight.

"If concerned about Fusarium, for example if maize is included in the rotation at certain times, it would seem to make sense to utilise all the very best agronomy – including variety resistance – to minimise Fusarium risk."

Other key features of Ketchum include that as a Group 2 variety there could also be a potential premium, says Ms Smith.

"Ketchum can be drilled up to the end of February in suitable conditions. However it is always important to select the correct seed rates," she stresses.