InterGrain SA territory manager Rehn Freebairn launches Genie at the Mid North High Rainfall Zone Spring Field Day. Photo: InterGrain

GROWERS in Australia’s Southern and Western zones have a new Australian Hard wheat to consider for planting from next year following the release of Genie.

Bred by InterGrain, Genie offers a yield improvement on the 2020-released RockStar in the slow to mid-maturity class.

Genie is being marketed as a variety with excellent yield potential within high-production environments, a useful disease-resistance profile, longer coleoptile, and good sprouting tolerance.

“Genie has consistently performed in greater than 3 tonne-per-hectare yield environments across a wide range of regions within the InterGrain wheat breeding program, highlighting very good high-end yield stability,” InterGrain wheat breeder Dan Mullan said.

“Genie will be a variety in demand next year in southern wheat growing areas as it builds on the advantages that RockStar has delivered to growers in recent seasons.”

Mr Mullan said InterGrain had a proven track record in breeding and releasing exceptionally high-yielding wheats, including Vixen, RockStar and Clearfield Plus wheats Chief CL Plus, Sheriff CL Plus and Valiant CL Plus.

Trialled as IGW6754, InterGrain’s internal preliminary falling number assessments indicate Genie has good sprouting tolerance.

While further testing is required, its provisional rating of 5p indicates the variety has a similar level of tolerance as Scepter.

“In addition to high yields, we’re pleased to be unveiling a variety which also includes a long coleoptile, enabling earlier sowing opportunities to be maximised.

“Genie’s long coleoptile allows it to be sown deeper to seek moisture if required, providing an advantage when sowing into marginal moisture conditions.”

Genie is rated as having good disease resistance to yellow leaf spot, stripe rust, and stem rust.

It is rated as moderately susceptible to Cereal Cyst Nematode, an improvement on varieties such as RockStar, although RockStar remains the superior performing mid to slow-maturing variety for medium to low-rainfall regions.

Grain quality results show Genie has a good test weight and a moderate grain size.

“Genie’s moderate grain size is considered adequate, however in drier seasonal finishes screenings risks may increase marginally.’

Genie’s AH classification is pending for New South Wales and Queensland.

Genie is available for planting in 2024 from InterGrain Seedclub members and resellers.

Source: InterGrain