DUSTER

With strong resistance to the two prevalent viral diseases in north central Oklahoma, wheat soilborne mosaic and wheat spindle streak mosaic viruses, it should be positioned in that are with preference over Endurance, and possibly OK Bullet.  Its resistance to leaf rust remains undefeated as of May 2006, both in Oklahoma and in Texas.  With added tolerance to low-pH soils, it cannot be branded with a "resistant" reaction type, Duster certainly showed resilience in grain yielding ability under those conditions in 2005.  Based on preliminary yield results from 206, Duster lost some of its competitiveness under the extreme drought conditions of 2005-2006, producing many more fertile tillers than the remnant moisture supply during the grain-filling period could support.  However, it still managed to take top-yielding positions in elite breeding nurseries conducted at Altus and Ft. Cobb, OK.

Duster does not show any serious blemish for milling and baking quality, though OK Bullet should maintain its top ranking in this area.  A tendency toward smaller kernel size is its primary weakness.  Other relatively minor limitations include susceptibility to all biotypes of greenbug and Russian wheat aphid, and moderate susceptibility to lodging that becomes most apparent under conditions of rank vegetative growth.

U.S. PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION - TO BE SOLD BY VARIETY NAME ONLY AS A CLASS OF CERTIFIED SEED.