Planting a crop consisting of multiple cereal cultivars (cultivar mixtures) enhances genetic diversity, which can improve both seasonal and long-term agronomic performance and slow or reduce disease spread. To assess the viability of this approach for feed wheat production under current commercial conditions in New Zealand, FAR conducted a series of field trials in Chertsey, Mid Canterbury, between 2021 and 2024.
- Cultivar mixtures are being used internationally to preserve disease-resistant cultivars, protect vulnerable chemistry, and enhance within-field diversity.
- Three years of FAR trials have confirmed that cultivar mixtures effectively reduce disease pressure, particularly leaf rust.
- The data from this trial suggests that using cultivar mixtures can provide long-term yield stability in the face of unforeseen events such as cultivar breakdowns.