New wheat variety announced at Dowerin Field Days

24/8/04
A new herbicide-tolerant wheat variety could become an important weed management option for WA grain growers.
EGA Eagle Rock was bred at the WA Department of Agriculture under the national wheat breeding program, Enterprise Grains Australia.
The new variety was officially released by Agriculture Minister Kim Chance today as part of the formal opening of the Dowerin Field Days.
Mr Chance said EGA Eagle Rock was bred from a cross of Blade and Sunelg and was eligible for the AWB Hard grade.
It had the major benefit of having tolerance to metribuzin equal to Blade, the only other wheat variety with this tolerance.
"Metribuzin is an inexpensive non-Group B herbicide option to control brome grass, ryegrass, silver grass and barley grass, as well as wild radish," the Minister said.
"Using metribuzin with this new wheat variety will present a cost-effective and useful option to control these difficult to manage weeds.
"The implications of this for growers in terms of reducing chemical costs and helping to manage herbicide resistance are significant."
Mr Chance said the new lupin variety Mandelup, which was released last week, also had metribuzin tolerance and could provide a unique rotation opportunity.
The Department of Agriculture is currently working with chemical companies to extend registration for the use of metribuzin for the new variety.
EGA Eagle Rock is an awnless, mid-season variety similar in maturity to Carnamah.
The Minister said an outstanding feature of EGA Eagle Rock was its high falling number in trials where many lines had shown pre-harvest sprouting. Its falling number levels were generally better than Spear. It also had good tolerance of waterlogging.
Compared with Blade, EGA Eagle Rock had a higher falling number, higher yield and better leaf rust resistance. It also achieved high protein and low screenings with an acceptable black point level.
Mr Chance said the new variety also carried the best triple rust resistance of the Australian Hard wheat varieties.
"The stem rust resistance is based on two genes which are effective Australia-wide and together give added protection," he said.
"The leaf rust resistance is fully effective in WA and the stripe rust resistance is likely to be of the durable adult plant resistance type."
The Minister said EGA Eagle Rock had a number of unique advantages that would deliver benefits to growers, especially those looking to diversify their grass weed and wild radish management options. The waterlogging and pre-harvest sprouting tolerance would also appeal to growers in higher rainfall zones.
The new variety was named in line with the Department of Agriculture convention of Australian Hard varieties being given 'rock' names to signify their acceptance into that grade.
Seed of Eagle Rock will be available next year from seed licencees - The Seed Group (comprising Eastern Districts Seed Cleaners, Wemyss, Australian Seed and Grain), Coorow Seeds and COGGO Seeds.
Minister's Office - 9213 6700