New Barley Resists Russian Wheat Aphids
9 December 2008 A new kind of barley known as RWA-1758, which US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) plant geneticist Phil Bregitzer invested more than 10 years to develop and test, is highly resistant to Russian wheat aphids.
RWA-1758 offers barley growers in places like Montana, Colorado, and Nebraska – where infestations of the insect can be severe – an effective, economical, and environmentally sound way to quell the aphid, says ARS. According to Bregitzer, cost-effective chemical controls aren’t available for combating the insect.
RWA-1758’s resistance stems from a different source than “Burton,” another barley developed at the same laboratory, which Bregitzer says gives growers a backup against aphids’ potential ability to overcome Burton’s resistance.
RWA-1758 is known as a two-rowed spring barley, meant to be planted in spring for late summer harvest. Its yields are on par with those of "Baronesse," a popular, productive feed barley planted widely across the Intermountain West.
Researchers and plant breeders can obtain small quantities of RWA-1758 seed at no charge from Bregitzer at [email protected].
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