Registration of Ascend-SD' hard red spring wheat

Hard red spring wheat (HRSW; Triticum aestivum L). production in South Dakota has decreased by nearly 50% over a recent 10-year timespan due to grower preferences for producing corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. End-users of HRSW are concerned with grain protein concentration (GPC). Among growers that still produce HRSW, cultivar selection decisions are heavily based on grain yield potential, and they become most concerned with GPC only when it is low enough to result in sales price discounts. It is important that HRSW breeding programs release new cultivars that balance the needs of both end-users and growers. The objective of this research was to release a HRSW cultivar possessing both high grain yield potential and GPC for South Dakota and regional producers. 'Ascend-SD' (Reg. no. CV-1204, PI 700966) was developed by the SDSU-HRSW breeding program and released by the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station to certified seed producers in early 2022. The cross MN10261-1/SD4389 was completed during fall 2013, and the resulting population was advanced via an early-generation bulktesting program, where F4: 7 seed was included in the 2018 preliminary yield trial and designated as SD4873. Prior to release, SD4873 also was tested in the advanced yield trial from 2019 through 2021 as well as crop performance testing trials in 2020 and 2021. Ascend-SD was released for its competitive combination of high grain yield potential and GPC.

Automated summary

The production of hard red spring wheat in South Dakota has decreased due to grower preferences for corn and soybean. End-users are concerned with grain protein concentration. This research aims to release a cultivar that balances the needs of both end-users and growers, with high grain yield potential and GPC.