Accelerating the Development of FHB-Resistant Soft Red Winter Wheat Varieties

Our breeding project aims to release high yielding, scab resistant SRW wheat varieties that are adapted to KY and the southern corn belt. In epidemic FHB years, the Kentucky wheat industry has been decimated by scab. Millers have had trouble locating low DON wheat in the state and farmers have paid severe economic penalties. Widespread use of resistant varieties will reduce economic risk for farmers and will also help millers and bakers who require low DON wheat. A key result of this strategy is that consumers will have a safe, dependable food supply.