Australia
January 23, 2013
Fusion, the latest variety from AGT, sets yet another new benchmark for triticale grain yield.
In addition to its outstanding yield potential Fusion also combines excellent resistance to the three rusts; stem, leaf and stripe, excellent acid soil tolerance, common with most triticale varieties, resistance to cereal cyst nematodes (CCN), as well as excellent grain quality.
Britt Kalmeier leads the AGT triticale breeding program. Checking the latest high yielding rust resistant triticale variety Fusion.
The GRDC funded and Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) managed National Triticale Breeding Program has delivered triticale growers substantial gains in productivity over the past five years through new varieties Jaywick, Hawkeye Chopper and now Fusion.
New yield levels in dry springs.
NVT trials across NSW in 2012, where in-crop rainfall was universally way below average and where late winter and spring conditions were universally hot and dry, clearly demonstrated the outstanding yield performance of Fusion.
Averaged over seven 2012 NSW NVT trials (independent GRDC funded research) Fusion yielded on average nine percent higher than the next best commercial triticale variety Jaywick.
Fusion out-yielded all currently available triticale varieties in all of the seven trials, and generally by a big margin. Trials were conducted across the state from Boorowa and Cowra in the south east, Gerogery and Mayrung (Riverina), Temora (south west) Wellington (central west) and Somerton (north east).
These outstanding results questions for the first time the widespread understanding that “in dry springs triticale yields may be 10-15 percent below wheat” (NSW DPI Winter Crop Variety Sowing Guide 2012 comment page 50). Clearly Fusion is a big step forward as far a yielding well under difficult seasonal conditions.
Fusion equal or higher yield in years with good seasons
Long term MET analysis of NVT trials across eastern Australia for the period 2005 – 2011 predicts Fusion as the top yielder or equal to the previous regional top yielder in all areas.
Fusion was mainly tested in average to high yielding seasons over this assessment period indicating its ability to match the best current performing varieties when grown in relatively stress free seasons.
Stem, leaf and stripe rust resistance
Fusion rates overall as having excellent resistance against the three rusts; stem, leaf and stripe rust. Each of these diseases is capable of causing massive yield loss in wetter spring years and variety resistance is the best protection against them.
Stem rust was once the major disease threat, especially to northern and central NSW and Qld wheat and triticale crops, as well as periodically a threat in most Australian cereal growing areas. Fusion has equal to the best triticale variety resistance rating against stem rust with an R (resistant) rating.
Leaf rust is also capable of being a serious disease with fungicide management for control more expensive and complicated than for stripe rust. Again Fusion has an R rating against leaf rust, equal to the best resistance of current varieties.
While fungicide strategies are capable of reducing the impact of stripe rust in susceptible varieties a good level of variety disease protection reduces the risk of major yield loss. Fusion has a MS – MR (moderately susceptible to moderately resistant) stripe rust resistance rating, which is generally regarded as adequate protection against this disease in most circumstances except under very heavy inoculum pressure. .
Cereal cyst nematode (CCN) resistance
CCN is a particularly serious pest of cereals in southern NSW, Vic and SA. Fusion is well protected from CCN and is rated R (resistant).
Grain quality
Relative to other varieties Fusion produces large grain with low screenings losses. Hectolitre weight is similar to that of Hawkeye and Jaywick, benchmark varieties for this quality attribute.
Maturity and other agronomic traits.
Fusion is a mid season maturity spring habit variety. It’s desirable sowing time is similar to Hawkeye and Tahara.
Fusion is a fully awned triticale variety. It has moderate plant height, slightly taller than Hawkeye and Jaywick and similar to Rufus.
Adaptation
NVT and AGT trials over a number of years indicates Fusion is equal or better performing than any other variety from mid season sowings across an enormous area, from SA, Vic and throughout NSW. It performs equal or slightly better than other varieties in average and favourable seasons and has overall yielded well above other varieties should the spring turn dry. Testing to date has shown its yield stability is superior to any other variety.
Fusion is not a dual purpose grazing and grain recovery variety but was selected for grain production.
Breeding
While retaining all the triticale characterises such as acid soil tolerance, Fusion is a product of a cross between a high yielding triticale and a very high yielding unreleased bread wheat, Stylet.
Fusion was bred and selected by the AGT triticale breeding program with support from Australian farmers through the Grains Research and Development Corporation. Wagga Wagga based Britt Kalmeier leads the AGT triticale breeding program.
Seed availability
Commercial quantities of Fusion seed will be available through AGT Affiliates and local retailers (see AGT web site http://www.ausgraintech.com for affiliate contact details).
Plant Breeders Right and End Point Royalty.
Fusion is protected by PBR and all production (except seed saved for owners planting) is liable to an End Point Royalty (EPR) which funds future triticale breeding. Fusion growers are subject to a Growers license that acknowledges an EPR of $3 tonne plus GST has to be paid on all production other than seed retained for their own planting.
Further Information
For further information: Dan Vater SA/Vic Marketing Manager 0427 188 919, Kerrie Gleeson NSW/Qld Territory Manager, 0427 958 259, Jim Lamb southern NSW/Vic Territory Manager 0429 821 701 or Britt Kalmeier triticale Breeder 0408 442 005.
Species
