A trial near Bolgart in WA is showcasing historic wheat varieties, allowing growers to look back in time to measure yield and genetic gains that wheat breeders have achieved over the past 50 years. The trial site features 48 varieties starting from the late 60s, up to the most recent varieties of two to three years ago, including bread wheat, Clearfield-tolerant wheat, and udon wheat varieties.

The different varieties see improved grain size, disease resistance, weight, and crop height, bringing with them harvesting changes over the years. GRDC has a long history in wheat breeding and pre-breeding, including partnerships with wheat breeding companies.

In this episode, we caught up with AGT wheat breeder, Dion Bennett about the trial’s revelations over half a century.

Download the transcript for this episode

Contact:

Dion Bennett, Wheat Breeder 

[email protected] 

More Information:

AGT wheat varieties

GRDC Code: AGT2108-001RTX 

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