New disease-resistant wheat named after the Washburn A Mill
MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Agriculture–The University of Minnesota (UMN) has released a new hard red spring
wheat variety called ‘MN-Washburn.’ MN-Washburn features excellent straw
strength and good overall disease resistance. In particular, it contains
the bdv2 gene for resistance to Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV)
making in an excellent choice in years when BYDV is prevalent.
“In state trials MN-Washburn stood out due to its consistent yield,
superior straw strength and overall disease resistance,” said Jim
Anderson, University of Minnesota wheat breeder, Department of Agronomy
and Plant Genetics. “While lower in protein than other recent UMN
releases, MN-Washburn still provides excellent milling and baking
quality.”
The new release is named after the Washburn A flour mill (built in 1874
and then rebuilt in 1880 after a fire). The Washburn A mill was once the
largest flour mill in the world and at its peak milled approximately two
million lbs. of flour a day. The Washburn A flour mill, along with
others in the area, helped earn Minneapolis the nickname, The Mill City.
“MN-Washburn is a great all-arounder in addition to being the first hard
red spring wheat to contain the bdv2 gene for resistance to
BYDV,” said Jochum Wiersma, UMN Associate Professor in the College of
Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and an Extension
Agronomist.
MN-Washburn joins several other recent University of Minnesota spring
wheat varieties; Lang-MN (2017), Shelly (2016), Bolles (2015), Linkert
(2013), and Rollag (2011). These varieties offer growers a good
combination of strong characteristics and perform well across the upper
Midwest.
More detailed performance data and comparisons of previously released
varieties can be found on the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station
website at www.maes.umn.edu.
Prior to being formally named, MN-Washburn was tested as MN10201-4-A.
2019 Field Days and On-Farm Trials
MN-Washburn plantings can
be previewed July 17 during Crops and Soils Day at the University’s
Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC), Crookston. Plots of
MN-Washburn and competing varieties are also at on-farm trials at the
following Minnesota sites, with two-hour tours scheduled for the days
listed.
- LeCenter. June 25, 1:00 pm (GPS 44.457669, -93.676844)
- Marty/Kimball, June 26, 1:00 pm (GPS 45.390100, -94.309243)
- Benson, June 26, 5:00 pm (GPS 45.398088, -95.521917)
- Fergus Falls, July 9, 9:00 am (GPS 46.094802, -96.174936)
- Oklee, July 10, 9:00 am (GPS 47.776605, -95.858971)
- Humboldt, July 11, 9:00 am (GPS 48.910487, -97.127943)
- Strathcona, July 11, 1:00 pm (GPS 48.572373, -96.157484)
University of Minnesota experts will provide information relevant to the
current growing season and answer questions. Bring samples from your
fields for diagnosis and discussion.
Researchers in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource
Sciences at the University of Minnesota have been evaluating and
developing wheat varieties since 1889. Evaluation and breeding is
supported in part by funding from USDA-NIFA and the Small Grain’s
Initiative and administered by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment
Station.
Seed Availability
MN-Washburn seed will be distributed
through Minnesota Crop Improvement Association (MCIA) members for
planting in spring 2020. Visit the MCIA website – www.mncia.org
– where a list of Certified seed producers will be available in
September. Or contact MCIA at 1-800-510-6242.
Contacts
Shelly Gustafson, Communications Specialist, Minnesota Agricultural
Experiment Station, [email protected],
612-625-2741
Jim Anderson, University of Minnesota wheat breeder, College of Food,
Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Department of Agronomy and
Plant Genetics, [email protected],
612-625-9763
Jochum Wiersma, University of Minnesota Extension Agronomist, Northwest
Research and Outreach Center, [email protected],
218-281-8629, Cell: 218-280-0123
Roger Wippler, Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, [email protected],
1-800-510-6242
