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  • C 230 Winter Wheat Cultivar Mixtures Under Irrigated And Dryland Conditions In Mid Canterbury

Cereals Update 230 Winter wheat cultivar mixtures under irrigated and dryland conditions in Mid Canterbury

C19 31 01

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.

Read Cereal Update 230 here.

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