SEVERE WHEAT sprouting during this year’s soggy harvest has prompted researchers to seek funding for further research into the topic.

The industry-led project will seek to develop techniques to allow wheat breeders to select for sprouting tolerance, leading to stable Hagberg Falling Numbers, says Harper Adam’s Peter Kettlewell.

“We’re looking to get DEFRA-Link funding.” Growers have few agronomic options for preventing or dealing with sprouting, he notes. “Selecting for sprouting resistant varieties is a key route forward.”