OR SEED BREEDING COMPANY [p. 15]

Rua João Battisti, 71 - Passo Fundo, RS-CEP, 99050-380, Brazil.

O. S. Rosa and O. Rosa-Filho.

The 2000 wheat crop in Brazil was marked by large losses because of frosts in the northern and western parts of the state of Paraná (1 million tons). The high incidence of Fusarium in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) also contributed to these losses.

The greatest pressure from the scab fungus that was ever observed in Passo Fundo, RS, (our main location) allowed us to select for resistance to this pathogen in segregating populations and among cultivars. The most resistant Brazilian cultivar was CEP-24 (pedigree: BR-3/CEP7887//CEP7775/CEP11), which had much better resistance than the old cultivar Frontana. Lines and segregants from crosses involving Sumai 3 had very good resistance, surpassing that of CEP-24. Most of our improved sources come from the CIMMYT/China breeding program.

In addition to the very favorable weather conditions, no-till (almost 100 % of the area) and a large increase in maize acreage are factors that probably are associated with the intense scab incidence in 2000.

We now are evaluating and multiplying seeds of lines with good resistance to scab, and high yield potential and industrial quality. We expect to release this kind of material in 2004.

Two new cultivars were registered in February 2001.
Avante (Pedigree: PF89232/2*OR-1), with an excellent plant type and
Ônix (Pedigree: CEP-24/RUBI 'S'), with excellent bread-making quality.

André C. Rosa is continuing his work towards a Ph.D. degree at Kansas State University, Manhattan.