A list of the 19 recommended varieties which have proven their good yield potential and quality over the last 6 years has been drawn up by the cereal research teams in Wallonia.
These 19 varieties are divided into two groups:
– The first group includes varieties that meet the criteria of integrated production. These varieties must in particular have demonstrated good behavior against yellow rust, septoria and lodging, which are the 3 factors likely to lead to additional treatments compared to a single treatment.
– The second group includes varieties with high and stable yields over the last 3 years but requiring increased monitoring following one or other weakness.
Varietal characteristics
Table 1
includes, for the recommended varieties, the representative for Belgium and the average results calculated over the period 2019-2024. The yields in full protection as well as the loss in the absence of protection are expressed as a percentage of the controls in 2024 (Chevignon, Crossway, KWS Extase and WPB Calgary). This table also presents the weights per hectolitre, the straw yields, expressed in relation to the average of the controls in 2024 and the earliness at maturity.
Adaptation to the sowing date and previous crop
Not all varieties have the same ability to be sown at the same time of year. Depending on the length of their development cycle and the climatic conditions encountered annually, the yield potentials will be expressed differently depending on the sowing date. This ability must be taken into account when choosing a variety.
Similarly, not all varieties express their potential in the same way depending on the previous crop. After a chicory crop, some varieties perform less well in terms of yield than when they are planted after a beet, potato or corn crop.
Table 2 gives, for the recommended varieties, an assessment of the adaptation to later sowings based on a multi-year trial carried out in Lonzée (Gembloux) after a previous potato and an assessment of the adaptation to being sown after a chicory crop.
Example of choice:
The varieties Geluck, KWS Extase, LG Keramik, SU Ecusson, SY Revolution, Chevignon, Hyacinth (h), KWS Keitum, KWS Sverre, Positiv and Winner (b) express very good potential especially when sown in October. The varieties Geluck, SY Revolution, Hyacinth (h) and Positiv perform very well both in normal and late sowing.
For very late sowing, all varieties seem less well suited. Only the KWS Sverre variety still seems to perform quite well when sown at this time.
Finally, the SY Revolution and Champion varieties express their yield potential well on a previous “chicory” unlike the LG Keramik, SU Hyntact (h), Celebrity, Debian and LG Audace varieties which lose their potential on this previous crop.
Quality of varieties
Table 3 synthesizes the different information concerning the quality of the recommended varieties: Zélény sedimentation index (ml), protein content (% of dry matter), Zélény/Protein ratio (Z/P), Hagberg falling time (seconds) and classification of the bread-making suitability of the varieties.
Behavior towards diseases, lodging and orange midge
Table 4 synthesizes, for the list of recommended varieties, the ratings of varietal tolerance to diseases, resistance to lodging and resistance to orange gall midge. For diseases and lodging, the rating is expressed on a scale of 1 to 9, with a rating of 9 corresponding to the highest tolerance.
This classification of varieties is based on observations made in trials in recent years. Unfortunately, it cannot predict the evolution of the sensitivity of certain varieties to one or another cryptogamic disease. Similarly, growing conditions or parasitic pressure can also, in certain plots, modify the behavior of a variety, sometimes to its advantage but more often to its disadvantage.
According to the White Paper,
September 2024
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