Trials on the Watkins RILs

[Tom @ BOFIN]

Check out the results of the lab feeding trials carried out by John Innes Centre. This a selection of crosses of Watkins 788 with Paragon. They're stable lines, and the plan now is for more lab feeding trials so scientists can understand better the differences between them, which will help hone in on the genetics responsible for the slug 'resistance'. It's a really nice spread of results, and we're assured by the data that yes - this 'resistance' is a thing.

But here's a thought - could these results offer pointers to a slug-beating blend of wheats? Line 64 obviously looks like a winner & we're putting it in field trials with our Slug Sleuths this autumn. But what about Line 50? Looks like slugs find it yummy. We're also trialling Line 50. So what if you were to sow line 50 in a blend with your farm standard wheat, particularly in patches of your field known to harbour slugs? In theory, the slugs would graze out the Line 50, leaving a decent stand of the variety you actually want to grow.

My question is: should we do a field trial on this? My inclination is that we should gather the field data on Lines 64 & 50 first (so perhaps one for autumn '25) But if there was an appetite for this, we could multiply up enough of Line 50 to do some decent-sized field trials.

 

[flinty]

Interesting results, do you know yet when we would aim to drill lines 64 and 50, conditions permitting?

 

[Tom @ BOFIN]

Interesting results, do you know yet when we would aim to drill lines 64 and 50, conditions permitting?

This autumn. Probably aim to drill quite late.

 

[flinty]

This autumn. Probably aim to drill quite late.

Thanks Tom,
What area would you want planted for each variety, should they have our usual agrochemicals and could you put a timing on late, weather permitting? Other peoples' definition of late and mine don't always coincide!

Will the crop be used for future projects or go for feed, and are they competitive against sterile and meadow brome?

We have a part field that has an increasing problem with brome and planting beans or a second wheat are top of our current choices for harvest 25, so it is useful to know soon if we can apply to participate in next year's trials, and make the brome feel less welcome, or use a different field. Cultural controls, including late or spring drilling, are also part of the plan. I'm told some seed varieties could be in short supply this year and the Agronomist's buying group need early decisions so it is good to know what is possible, even if you end up getting better offers than ours and we don't make the cut.
Any helpful alternative cropping/cultural control suggestions to aid brome control are welcome.

 

[Tom @ BOFIN]

The areas would be quite small but replicated, so typically 2x 24x24m for each variety. Attached is the trial plan we had for last autumn's trial. Slug control is the only element of the agronomy you would change - the rest of the management is the same as the rest of the field. These RILs are not agronomically strong - they will be disease-prone, may be prone to lodging and won't yield. The crop would probably go for feed.

The sites we're looking for are where you know you are likely to get slugs - wheat after OSR is ideal.