The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
New seed on the crop
Monroe shows it can grow with the best
Scottish growing conditions have been good for soft wheats this summer in a market that has been dominated by the varieties Leeds, Viscount and Myriad, with the Group 3 variety Zulu also remaining strong.
One variety that continues to challenge these market leaders is Monroe, which has consistently out-yielded both Viscount and Leeds across the 20142016 growing seasons.
Tom Nickerson of Ebbage Seeds explains: “As part of the Supplementary Trials programme at two Scottish Agronomy sites – St Boswells and Glenrothes – Monroe has matched previous seasons.”
The variety’s average treated yields for both sites over the three seasons 201416 exceeded 12t/ha versus Viscount’s average of 11.59t/ha and Leeds at 11.46t/ha.
In the untreated partner trial, Monroe performed very well at 9.1t/ha versus Leeds at 8.56t/ha and Viscount yielding 8.37t/ha.
“These results demonstrate how resilient and consistent Monroe has been across differing seasons,” Mr Nickerson adds.
“The explanation for its endurance in different growing conditions is that it is a soft endosperm wheat with a very high specific weight, which ensures its yield is maintained in seasons of low sunlight.”
This year Monroe trials have been determining the best approach to its agronomic management.
Tom said: “Because the variety isn’t on the Recommended List, we have been working with Scottish Agronomy to assess optimum seed rates and agrochemical programmes based on its resistance ratings.”
Monroe’s disease package is “strong, with no particular weaknesses” he explains.
“It can be drilled from early September and has no maturity issues.
“Our monitoring of its growth habit has recorded a relatively long tillering period – more enduring than either Viscount or Istabraq – so we will be advising growers to hold back nitrogen applications to prevent excessive tillering, which may lead to lodging.”
Trials have also shown Monroe’s “excellent fusarium resistance” Mr Nickerson points out.
“It is on a par with Leeds, as demonstrated in 2014 at the St Boswells site.”
Adding to the variety’s resilience in wetter seasons, its sprouting resistance is high, with only 19% sprouting recorded in a hand-picked trial in Cambridgeshire this summer.
In the same trial, Viscount’s score was 32%, Revelation 34%, Leeds 24% and Zulu 32%.
The market outlook for wheat for the grain distilling market is good and varieties suitable for the Scottish grain distilling market will continue to be in demand for blended whiskies and other beverages.
Tom suggests there is a lot of market interest in Monroe because of its consistency in performance across a number of sites and seasons, coupled with its top yield ranking at the three Scottish Agronomy locations.
“These results are understandably generating interest because consistency like this is difficult to ignore in the unpredictable growing conditions seen in Scotland,” he adds. “Monroe has been identified in Scottish Agronomy assessment as a key choice for Scotland and the North of England growers.”