Zircon

Zircon has a wide range of potential applications. Its excellent quality characteristics are recognised by millers across the UK and commercial testing has demonstrated the value of Zircon as a high grade milling wheat.

Very high yielding whether autumn or spring sown, Zircon is an 'alternative' wheat, offering a wide and flexible sowing window from mid October through to mid April. Combine this with its very stiff straw and excellent overall disease resistance and you have a high value product that benefits growers and end users alike.

As a white wheat, it is important to ensure grain quality is maintained at harvest. As with any milling wheat, harvest of Zircon must be prioritised to ensure retention of Hagberg Falling Number.

Store Zircon separately from any other crop to ensure maximum premium potential is achieved.

 

Quality Measurements

Data source: HGCA Recommended List 2010/11 for late autumn sown wheat

	Spring Sown Yield	Autumn Sown Yield	Protein (%)	HFN	Specific Weight (kg/hl)
Zircon	101%	101%	12.8	181	78.0
Paragon	94%	95%	12.8	282	77.9
Ashby	100%	102%	12.8	280	78.5
Solstice	-	102%	12.3	284	76.7

 

Agronomy

Zircon is as competitive in the field as any other alternative milling wheat variety. Seed rates should be calculated to provide an even plant stand although typically these types of varieties are very good at filling spaces and will compensate well for uneven establishment. Aim for a final plant stand of around 250 plants per m2.

Zircon has good seed vigour and will emerge and establish more rapidly than winter wheat sown at the same time.

 

Late Autumn Sown Crops

Septoria tritici will be the main disease to target from autumn sown crops. However, delayed sowing reduces levels of disease and crops will be at less risk. Mildew, yellow and brown rust will not be a concern and eyespot resistance is very good, although the incidence will in any case be reduced by later sowing.

 

Spring Sown Crops

Disease pressures will be low for spring sown crops so fungicide programmes can reflect this. A simple, broad spectrum approach should be adopted but rates may be lowered to account for the reduced disease pressure.

As a bread making wheat, use of an ear fungicide is recommended to ensure grain quality is maintained at the highest level. Zircon accesses very specific, high quality markets and this should be taken into account when planning late season fungicide programmes.

Data source: HGCA Recommended List 2010/11

	Autumn Sown	Spring Sown
Mildew	7	7
Yellow Rust	9	9
Brown Rust	6	6
Septori tritici	5	5
Lodging with PGR	2.6%	[6]
Height (cm)	89	86