Australia
November 28, 2014
Leading Australian cereal breeding company, InterGrain, this week launched and named Hydra, a high yielding, mid to short season APW wheat that performs well across a range of environments.
Hydra offers an effective disease resistance package, including excellent yellow spot resistance and robust rust resistance, in particular for stem rust.
Trialled as IGW3422, it is moderate in height and is an excellent varietal alternative to Mace, providing increased genetic diversity within the variety portfolio.
Hydra has a moderate grain size, comparable to Yitpi, a similar test weight to Wyalkatchem, has a moderate tillering capacity and a long coleoptile.
WA grain grower Ashley Mackin, who farms north of Tammin near Yorkrakine, where he typically grows canola, barley and Mace (60%), Calingiri (25%) and Magenta (15%) wheats, trialled Hydra this season in a strip next to Mace and another InterGrain trial variety.
It was the paddock’s third season of wheat on wheat, which Ashley did deliberately to test the varieties in less than perfect conditions, with some leaf disease (i.e. real world scenario) and some weeds (unintentional), as all NVT trials are on canola/lupin stubble, with minimal issues.
Ashley reports that disease levels have been low as the Hydra crop approaches harvest, due, he believes, to a dry period, however more rain may have brought on some yellow spot, but he is confident that with Hydra rated MR for yellow spot, it won’t be a significant problem.
“This is a big advantage in wheat on wheat scenarios, as this is one of the main reasons I haven’t put Calingiri on wheat on wheat as poor yellow leaf disease resistance is rotationally restrictive,” he said.
Ashley has been impressed with the long term yield data of IGW3422/Hydra, which has been in the 2-3tonnes/ha range across the board: “This shows it performs well in good seasons, as well as tougher seasons and that’s the wheat I’m wanting.”
Earlier in the 2014 season, he also noted that Hydra’s vigour was similar to Mace and that if it also outyielded Mace at harvest, he would consider implementing Hydra into his program next year.
Well, the good news for Ashley, having harvested in late November, is that his Hydra went 1.6t/ha, up 200kg/ha on his Mace.
InterGrain’s David Meharry described this 200kg/ha advantage of Hydra over Mace as a “handy benefit in a tight finish in a real world wheat on wheat rotation.”
Ashley, of course, acknowledges the need for more than one variety to buffer against agronomic risks, including frost, hence he planted some Mace early to widen the flowering window and to enjoy the benefits of a broad range of maturities.
Diversity is something he also appreciates in terms of genetics, noting that Hydra has different genetics, with Strzelecki and EGA Bonnie Rock parentage and he sees benefits potentially flowing from such genetic diversity.
Hydra seed is available from registered InterGrain Seedclub Members or local resellers.
Bred by Chris Moore, Robin Wilson (retired) and the InterGrain wheat breeding team, Hydra is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights and subject to end point royalty of $3.85/tonne GST Exclusive.
For more information, please contact InterGrain’s David Meharry, Mob 0427 855 059 or visit InterGrain’s website www.intergrain.com
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