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IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL GROWERS OF REGENCY WHEAT REGARDING CERTIFIED SEED The provision of quality seed is an essential requirement for the arable industry. The use of poor quality uncertified seed can lead to low production and reduced quality of end products. The major flour mills grower contracts state that the contracted crop must be grown from certified seed. This assists in assuring the mills that the wheat they are purchasing is the correct cultivar. Crop & Food Research supports this requirement and believes it is particularly important for Regency. Last season (2000/01) an off-type contaminant became apparent in Regency crops grown from certified seed. This off-type was identified as having originated from an out-crossing event in a previous season. Wheat is usually self fertilised, but some cultivars can be prone to out-crossing. Regency appears to be such a cultivar. . To prevent this from happening again, a 50 m isolation distance between Regency seed crops and other wheat crops has been made a requirement in the AgriQuality Seed Certification Standards. All seed stock crops were also intensively rogued in the 2000/01 season. Despite the intensive rogueing programme in 2000/01, there is likely to be some contamination again this season in crops grown from certified 2G seed. It is strongly recommended that growers do not save their own Regency seed. Crops that have not been rogued thoroughly, to at least Seed Certification Standard, and without sufficient isolation are likely to produce a seriously contaminated crop the following year. The increase in off-types becomes exponential as crops continue to outcross with true Regency plants in successive seasons. Significant contamination of crops from farmers’ saved seed will affect both yield and milling quality of Regency crops.
The use of farm saved seed could jeopardise the acceptance of individual contracts by flour mills. If growers save their own Regency seed it could lead to the downgrading of Regency by the mills. Growers might, consequently, not reap the benefits of growing a high yielding bread wheat which is currently indexed at a premium price. Last updated: 19 November 2001 While every care has been taken when preparing this document, no liability will be accepted by the New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited for any loss or damage suffered as a result of applying the information contained in this document. © 1999 The New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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