The University of Minnesota has released a new hard red spring wheat variety called MN-Rothsay.

MN-Rothsay features a good combination of yield, protein, disease resistance and exceptional straw strength.

“MN-Rothsay has straw strength comparable to Linkert and has about 10% higher grain yield,” says Jim Anderson, U-M wheat breeder in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics. “The exceptional straw strength of Linkert was largely responsible for its five-year reign from 2016 to 2020 as the most popular variety in the state. We expect MN-Rothsay’s higher grain yields, which are comparable or higher than other popular varieties, and improved disease resistance compared to Linkert, will be attractive to growers and increase wheat productivity.”

Prior to being formally named, MN-Rothsay was tested as MN15005-4. The line stood out in both state and regional trials, including the Uniform Regional Nurseries trials, where it finished second in grain yield out of 33 experimental entries in 2018, eighth out of 34 in 2019 and had the best straw strength of all entries in both years.

“The value growers place of straw strength cannot be overstated, making MN-Rothsay the logical choice to replace Linkert in the U’s lineup,” adds Jochum Wiersma, U-MN Extension small grains specialist.

The new release is named in honor of the city of Rothsay, which is in an area of the state with a long history of wheat production.

MN-Rothsay performance data and comparisons to other popular Minnesota wheat varieties are available at maes.umn.edu.

Field day next week

MN-Rothsay plantings can be previewed July 20 during a Crops and Soils Day at U-M’s Northwest Research and Outreach Center in Crookston.

Plots of MN-Rothsay and competing varieties are also available to view during the remaining two-hour Small Grain Summer Plot Tour, set for 1 p.m. July 22 at the Jim Kukowksi farm in Strathcona. GPS: 48.57478, -96.21688.

University of Minnesota experts will provide information relevant to the current growing season and answer questions. Participants are encouraged to bring any field samples for diagnosis and/or conversation.

To confirm plot tour time and location, and for more information, contact Wiersma at [email protected].

Source: Minnesota Ag Experiment Station, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all of its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.