NDSU Raises FHB Rating for Keystone

NDSU has upgraded its Fusarium head blight rating of the spring wheat variety Keystone from “Susceptible” to “Moderately Susceptible,” a move that is gratifying for its developer, Greg Fox, specialty wheat breeder with Western Plant Breeders.  Fox, based in Fargo, N.D., says Keystone was deserving of a higher rating.  “To me, test weight is part of the resistance, and Keystone maintains a high test weight,” he says.

Keystone, released in 2001, is a cross between Sharpshooter and Lars.  NDSU rates it as susceptible to foliar disease, but resistant to leaf rust.  “It’s a big improvement over Sharpshooter, because it shells out nicely, has better scab resistance, rapid seed fill, good yields, medium protein, and high test weight,” says Fox.  “I see it as a good companion to a variety like Alsen. Keystone will perform better under conditions of less rainfall and shallower soils. I’d like to see it grown on corn stubble or sugarbeet ground, someplace where there’s less moisture. It’s a good option for people to consider as part of a varietal mix.” Keystone is available from Gold Country and UAP seed dealers.

Fox says another WPB variety to watch is Granite, being increased for seed this year and generally available in 2003. The variety, developed by a German breeder who also bred the variety Dandy, has good color, excellent straw strength, and in early evaluations, appears to perform well against FHB if a fungicide is applied at heading.  “It’s a variety that appears to be an MS in its response to scab infection, but if you apply a fungicide, it may behave as an MR (Moderately Resistant),” says Fox. Western Plant Breeders’ web site is www.westbred.com.