Developing High Performing, FHB Resistant Soft Red Winter Wheat Varieties for KY

This project is designed to evaluate and breed winter wheat that is resistant to Fusarium head blight in accordance with the US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative FY26 Priorities of: 1. Increase and document the number of varieties with FHB resistance and high productivity, that are tested in state variety trials and available to farmers, to reduce DON in the U.S. grain supply 2. VDHR Goal 2: Evaluate and implement new breeding technologies to further enhance short- term and long-term improvement of FHB resistance 3. VDHR Goal 3: Increase the efficiency of cultivar development through improved collaboration and sharing of genetic resources and technology In this project, we will breed new FHB-resistant varieties that are well adapted to Kentucky and the surrounding region (Goal 1), and screen state variety trials for FHB severity and DON accumulation (Goal 1). We will also evaluate and implement new breeding technologies in our program, including genomic selection, evaluation of different selection indices, and new approaches to enhance quality or climate resilience alongside FHB resistance (Goal 2). In addition, we will conduct coordinated nurseries with other VDHR-NWW collaborators; by testing lines, sharing data and making new crosses, this will improve the efficiency of cultivar development (Goal 3). Finally, these data will be shared with farmers and other stakeholders in effort to reduce DON in the U.S. grain supply (Goals 1-3).