Soft white spring wheats
Hard white spring
wheats
Hard red spring wheats
Alpowa
An awned, semi-dwarf, stiff straw, mid-season variety released by Washington AES and
USDA-ARS in 1994. Intended as a replacement for Penawawa, Alpowa has similar yield under
irrigation, lower protein, and similar test weight. Alpowa is taller than Penawawa and has
weaker straw. Alpowa tends to have slightly higher yields than Penawawa under dryland
conditions. Alpowa has adult plant resistance to stripe rust and moderate resistance to
leaf rust. It is susceptible to stem rust, Hessian fly, and Russian wheat aphid while
moderately susceptible to mildew.
Bliss
A white-chaffed, awned, semidwarf spring wheat released by Idaho and
Oregon AES, USDA-ARS in 1983. Bliss is a tall semidwarf with stiff
straw and excellent resistance to lodging. Resistant to stripe rust and black point,
moderately resistant to black chaff, leaf blight, and powdery mildew. Moderately
susceptible to leaf rust. Matures 7 days later than Owens and should not be planted in
areas with short growing seasons. Yields significantly less than Treasure and slightly
less than the other varieties under irrigation. Its black chaff, black point, and lodging
resistance make it the variety of choice in areas where these problems persist.
Challis
Released by Western Plant Breeders
in 1999. Challis has had high
yields in both irrigated and dryland trials.
It is average in test weight, height, date head, and lodging resistance.
Protein content is similar to Pomerelle and milling and baking scores
have been good. Cookie spread is
not as good as Whitebird.
Fieldwin
A white-chaffed, awned, semidwarf soft white variety with moderately stiff straw.
Susceptible to stripe rust, and chemical rust control is necessary in years when rust is a
problem. At Aberdeen, Fieldwin has been similar to Owens in maturity. Its height averaged
35 inches, and has shown moderately good resistance to lodging. Fieldwin's yield has been
similar to Owens but lower than Treasure in both the irrigated and dryland trials.
Fieldwin has had the highest test weight among the soft white wheats tested. Fieldwin was
released by the USDA-ARS and the Idaho, Oregon, and Colorado Agricultural Experiment
Stations in 1977.
Owens
A white-chaffed, awnless, semidwarf variety released by Idaho AES, USDA-ARS in 1981. Averages 34 inches in height under irrigation at
Aberdeen. Slightly better straw strength than Treasure and weaker than Fieldwin and Bliss.
Early maturity. Resistant to stripe and leaf rust, susceptible to powdery mildew,
moderately susceptible to black chaff and often has a higher than average percentage of
kernels infected with black point. Irrigated yield is similar to Fieldwin, slightly better
than Bliss and lower than Treasure. Owens ranks second to Fieldwin among varieties for
test weight performance. Owens has marginal milling quality and satisfactory baking
quality.
Penawawa
A white-chaffed, awned variety released by Washington and Oregon AES, USDA-ARS in 1985. Similar in height to Owens and Treasure. Penawawa has
slightly stiffer straw than Owens and Treasure and slightly better lodging resistance.
Matures 2 days later than Owens. Resistant to moderately resistant to stripe rust,
resistant to leaf rust, moderately susceptible to black chaff, kernel black point, and
stem rust. Susceptible to mildew and Hessian fly. Penawawa has ranked among the
top-yielding soft whites under irrigation in southern Idaho.
Pomerelle
Released by Idaho AES, USDA-ARS in 1995. This variety is intended to replace Treasure
in irrigated production areas of Idaho. Yields have exceeded those of Treasure and
Penawawa on both irrigated and dryland production. Pomerelle is intermediate in maturity
between Treasure and Penawawa, and has a higher test weight and stronger straw stength
than Treasure. Milling and baking quality is comparable to Treasure and better than
Penawawa.
Sunstar 50-30
Sunderman Breeding released Sunstar 50-30 in 1998. This variety has been somewhat
variable in yield in southern Idaho but generally is at least at or better than the
average of the trial. Test weight, plant height, and date head are similar to Penawawa.
Straw strength tends to be weaker than many other varieties.
Sunstar Promise
Released by Sunderman Breeding. Yield and test weight have been equal to or slightly above
Penawawa. Height is taller than Penawawa and straw strength is slightly weaker. Milling
and baking quality have not been adequately evaluated.
Treasure
A white-chaffed, awned, semidwarf variety released by Idaho and Oregon AES,
USDA-ARS in 1986. Yields have averaged 106 percent of yields of
the second ranked variety, Fieldwin, under irrigation at Aberdeen and Twin Falls.
Possesses a lower test weight than Fieldwin and Owens, but more uniform kernel size than
Owens. Matures 1 to 3 days later than Owens. Averages 1 inch shorter plant height than
Owens and is slightly more resistant to lodging. Resistant to prevalent races of stripe
rust and moderately susceptible to leaf infection by black chaff. Kernels susceptible to
black point (caused primarily by Alternaria), similar to percentage for Owens, but
higher than levels observed on other commercial varieties.
Whitebird
Released by Idaho AE, USDA-ARS in 1994. Yield of Whitebird and Penawawa have been
similar under both irrigated and dryland conditions. Whitebird has averaged about 1 pound
heavier test weight than Penawawa, and has similar straw strength. Milling and baking
quality of Whitebird is comparable to Treasure and significantly better than Penawawa.
Pristine
Released by Western Plant Breeders
in 1999. Yields
have been slightly less than Idaho 377s under both irrigated and dryland
conditions. Test
weight is similar to Idaho 377s, height is shorter, and date head is earlier.
Straw strength is better than Idaho 377s.
Winsome
Released
by Oregon AES, USDA-ARS in 1999. Winsome has similar yield to Pristine. Test
weight is below average, height is shorter, and date head is later than most
other comparable varieties. Straw strength is similar to Idaho 377s.
Hi-Line
A white-chaffed, awned, semidwarf variety released by Montana AES, USDA-ARs in 1991. Hi-Line has
yield and test weight similar to Pondera. Hi-Line has shorter straw than Pondera and straw
strength is also better. Grain and flour protein are less than Pondera and flour yield
tends to be less than average. Resistant to lodging and stem rust. Susceptible to leaf and
stripe rust. Hi-Line has very acceptable milling/baking qualities. Mixing time is about
average and loaf volume is among the best of the hard red spring varieties.
Iona
Released
by Idaho AES, USDA-ARS in 1999.
Iona has yielded better under irrigation than under dryland.
It has high test weight and is quite high in protein.
Iona is relatively tall, taller than Rick, and has average straw
strength.
It is similar in heading date to Probrand 751 and Westbred 936.
Milling and baking characteristics of Iona are good.
Jake
Origin of Jake is not known but Steiner Elevator in Rexburg, ID is distributing it.
Yields of Jake have been comparable to Probrand 751 in most environments. Test weight is
higher than Probrand 751 and comparable to Westbred 326. Height is short and straw
strength is good. Date head is similar to Sunstar II and Idaho 377s.
Jefferson
Released by Idaho AES, USDA-ARS in 1998. Jefferson is primarily intended
as a dryland variety due to it being taller than Probrand 751 and Westbred 936 and similar
to Idaho 377s. Irrigated yields have been slightly below test average but have been higher
when grown on dryland. Yields have been similar to Probrand 751 with slightly higher test
weight. Protein content is similar to Westbred 936, milling yield is good and loaf volume
is similar to Probrand 751 and Westbred 936.
McNeal
An awned, brown-chaffed variety released by Montana AES, USDA-ARS in 1995. McNeal was tested for the
first time in the 1996 trials. Yield and other agronomic traits were similar to Pondera
except that McNeal has much better straw strength. McNeal is susceptible to Russian wheat
aphid, stem sawfly and moderately susceptible to leaf and stripe rust. McNeal has good
baking quality.
Pondera
A white-chaffed, awned, semidwarf variety released by Montana AES, USDA-ARs in 1980. Averages 34 inches in height with moderately
stiff straw. Better resistance to lodging than Borah and has a good reputation for not
lodging under commercial conditions. Resistant to existing races of stripe rust and
moderately resistant to existing races of leaf rust. Excellent milling and baking
qualities, and excellent grain test weight among varieties evaluated.
Rick
Released by Utah AES, USDA-ARS in 1980 for both irrigated and dryland conditions.
Yields have been excellent with both irrigated and dryland management. Protein contents
for Rick tend to be low in irrigated production. In Idaho production, Rick may be best
adapted to dryland spring wheat production where yields of 20 to 30 bu/ac are normal.
Sunstar King
Sunderman Breeding released Sunstar King. This variety is resistant to prevalent
races of stripe rust and leaf rust. Sunstar King has similar date head to Westbred 936, is
slightly taller, and has strong straw strength. Test weight has been better than Westbred
936 and Pinnacle. Yields in southern Idaho have been better than Sunstar II and similar or
slightly better than Westbred 936.
Sylvan
Released by Utah AES, USDA-ARS in 1996. Sylvan yields less than Rick but is similar to Westbred 936.
Protein content is less than Westbred 936 and more than Rick. Test weight tends to be
slightly less than most comparable spring wheat varieties. Height is similar to Rick and
heading date is about 1 day later. Milling and baking characteristics are better than Rick
but not as good as Westbred 936.
Vandal
A semidwarf variety developed for high yield environments in the Pacific Northwest. Vandal
is a full season hard red spring wheat with grain yield and grain protein superior to
Westbred 906R. It has very good straw strength with excellent shattering resistance.
Excellent resistance to stripe rust and black chaff. Susceptible to Russian wheat aphids.
Vandal's best performance is in growing areas where fields can consistently be planted
before April 15. Vandal is not recommended for dryland growing conditions. Baking quality
is excellent for an Idaho hard red spring wheat.
Westbred 906R
A proprietary white-chaffed, awned, semidwarf variety released by Western Plant Breeders
in 1981. Averages 35 inches in height under irrigation with good straw strength. Heading
dates are 3 to 4 days earlier than Pondera. Irrigated yields are comparable to Pondera,
with slightly lighter test weight and slightly better grain protein levels. Resistant to
stripe rust. Reactions to black chaff and black point are not known. Very susceptible to
shattering if allowed to overmature. Harvesting at first maturity reduces shatter losses.
Westbred 936
A replacement for Westbred 906R/Westbred 926 in irrigated/high rainfall areas. A
white-chaffed, awned, early season, semidwarf variety released by Western Plant Breeders
in 1993. Westbred 936 has stiff straw with a high test weight/yield potential. It is
tolerant to stripe rust and moderately tolerant to stem/leaf rust. Susceptible to powdery
mildew.
Zeke
Released
by Western Plant Breeders in 1999.
Zeke has yielded well under both irrigated and dryland conditions.
Test weight has been about 1 pound lower than Westbred 936 but it is
slightly shorter and earlier and has very good straw strength.
Protein content is less than Westbred 936 but better than Rick and
Probrand 751. Milling
and baking characteristics have been good.
Last updated 1/24/00
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