Research conducted by ADAS has clearly shown that in taking-on Gatsby winter wheat, Wheat Orange Blossom Midges (WOBM) are effectively signing their own death warrant.
Following field trials that showed Gatsby to be resistant to WOBM, a more detailed laboratory analysis was commissioned by Advanta Seeds UK in order to fully assess and confirm the exact level of resistance.
The findings indicate that through its parent Wasmo, aside from its hairy glumes, Gatsby has also inherited a new source of genetic resistance to WOBM. Having no mouth, Orange Blossom Midge larvae secrete an enzyme that dissolves the outside of the developing grain, enabling the grub to absorb and digest its contents. Gatsby, however, has a 'sting in the tail' because it kills the larvae before they can grow and cause any significant damage.
"The resistance appears to operate through WOBM attack inducing increased levels of phenylpropenoids that kill the larvae and form wound plugs to repair the damage done to the grain," explains Jon Oakley, ADAS Principal Consultant Entomologist, who conducted the research.
Due to be considered for Recommendation in December, Gatsby has attracted a lot of interest on account of its high yield, top lodging resistance, good all-round disease resistance and high specific weight, compared to other WOBM resistant varieties which all exhibit weaknesses of one area or another.
