New Rhizo-Resistor is Best Yet

The breeder points out that Rosalinda KWS, which has knocked another high yielding rhizo-resistor, Carissima off the top slot is 4.1% higher yielding than the nearest non-resistant type.   It calculates that this is worth £80-90/ha more to the grower whether or not he has rhizomania on the farm.

According to KWS UK sugar beet manager, Simon Witheford, Rosalinda KWS, which combines rhizomania resistance with the best RL scores for resistance to both rust and powdery mildew, will take some beating on farm. 

“No other variety has a perfect 9-rating for powdery mildew,” he says.  “Combine this with the top 96% RL rating for establishment and a score for bolter numbers below the mean of control varieties from early sowing, and we expect Rosalinda KWS to become a leading selection for next year.”

Mr Witheford also points out that Rosalinda KWS is almost 2% higher yielding than any other variety.  At 109t/ha, Rosalinda is 5t/ha ahead of controls.  “All the way through the trials process, it has demonstrated a huge yield potential; it is one that growers can ill afford to ignore for next year.”

KWS UK also welcomes the 2011 Recommended List inclusion of its second beet cyst nematode tolerant variety.  Annouschka KWS is a step up from Fiorenza KWS providing a 4.2% higher yield and its Recommendation follows British Sugar’s step to switch orders to the new variety for this season’s crop.

“Annouschka KWS has been the most widely tested beet cyst nematode tolerant variety across UK soils.   In these conditions it has been out-standing and over 1000ha of the variety is being planted this spring on commercial farms where the pest is becoming increasingly problematic,” he says.

“Annouschka KWS offers very high levels of tolerance to the pest – and in this respect is a step up from other varieties.  It has been derived from one of the most successful breeding programmes using technology widely accepted as the best available in Europe. 

“Growers can thus be assured that Annouschka KWS suits all levels of beet cyst nematode infestation found in UK soils,” says Mr Witheford. 

 “While it is 5% lower yielding than non-BCN tolerant controls in RL trials, these are grown on land that has no beet cyst nematode problem.  Thus a direct comparison of yields on the Recommended List is meaningless. 

“Growers need to test soils and check for evidence of the pest themselves.  At the same time they should take the chance to visit breeder trials so as to be confident of the likely performance before they opt to try any variety across a significant area next spring.

“Annouschka KWS suits all BCN conditions, something that farmers in at risk areas will help confirm this year across the wide range of UK soils,” he says.