Glenn Hoped to Replace Alsen in North Dakota

FARGO - Feb 4/05 - SNS -- A new hard red spring wheat variety available from North Dakota State University is expected to replace much of the Alsen acreage in the state.

Called Glenn, the variety was developed from Sumai3, a Chinese spring wheat that is the source of the scab resistance present in Alsen, and a wild-wheat species that is a source of scab resistance present in Steele-ND. Alsen and Steele-ND are NDSU varieties.

According to NDSU plant pathologists, Glenn has a higher level of scab resistance than Alsen or Steele-ND. Glenn also is resistant to the prevalent races of leaf and stem rust. It has a level of resistance to tan spot blotch comparable to Alsen or Steele-ND. Glenn’s level of resistance to Septoria is equal to Parshall and Dapps, but greater than Alsen.

Compared with Alsen across 29 trials from 2002 to 2004 at the NDSU Research Extension Centers, Glenn has been equal in maturity and grows about 2 inches taller, but has stronger straw strength, according to Mohamed Mergoum, leader of the NDSU hard red spring wheat-breeding program.

Glenn has slightly larger kernels than Alsen and has averaged more than 3 pounds per bushel higher test weight. The protein content is slightly higher than in Alsen and, in statewide trials, the yield averaged 1.2 bushels an acre greater than Alsen. In 19 trials during the same period in the eastern part of North Dakota (Carrington, Prosper and Langdon), where scab is more prevalent, Glenn out yielded Alsen by 4.6 bushels an acre. In some parts of the state, Alsen constitutes more than 50% of the acreage.

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