Higher Temperatures May Break Down Wheat Resistance To Streak Mosaic Virus - AFP
Wheat streak mosaic resistance bred into several wheat varieties might be negated by the producer practice in the High Plains of planting wheat early and using it for both winter forage for cattle and grain, according to a Texas AgriLife Research scientist.
Dr. Charlie Rush, AgriLife Research plant pathologist in Amarillo, began a study in December that he "started out of necessity" after working for several years on the wheat streak mosaic virus.
While several varieties of wheat, such as Mace and Ron L, have resistance to the virus bred into them, there has been a problem with that genetic resistance breaking down in temperatures above 75 degrees, Rush said.
"That is terrible for those who plant in the Texas Panhandle for dual purpose," he said. "The wheat is planted early when temperatures are very high and it's too hot for genetic resistance to be effective. In our study, we want to see if the plant is able to grow out of it once temperatures cool down to where the genetic resistance should be effective.
EDIT
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