Latest hybrids show Verticillium strength

DK Exbury and DK Immortal CL have joined the long list of Dekalb hybrids demonstrating a clear ability to resist Verticillium leaf strip in the latest annual ADAS trials on a Cambridge site chosen for its history of problems from the disease. Like DK Exstar, DK Excited, DK Exposé, DK Expectation, DK Imprint CL and V367OL before them, the promising new mainstream ‘double low’ and its impressive Clearfield stablemate both had Verticillium indices significantly below that of the susceptible control variety at the 2022/23 trial’s pre-harvest assessment (Figure). Figure: ADAS Verticillium Trials 2022/23

Although slow emergence and significant early CSFB problems on the site meant a generally disappointing crop performance, both hybrids also outyielded the susceptible control by almost 1t/ha (63%). In a particularly challenging season for establishment, DK Exbury stood out for noticeably greater autumn vigour and spring vigour scores than all but one of the 10 varieties in the trial set. At the same time, DK Immortal CL demonstrated particular spring vigour. “It’s really good to see our latest varieties showing both great vigour and an ability to resist Verticillium in independent assessments,” comments Bayer seed manager, Sarah Bebb. “Strong all-round disease resistance as well as both autumn and spring vigour is something Dekalb breeding has always been known for. And DK Exbury and DK Immortal CL are clearly carrying on this tradition.” “With ADAS trials once again recording noticeable levels of pre-mature pod ripening in even the most verticillium-resistant varieties, the extra tolerance that the pod shatter resistance they carry – in common with all our current DK hybrids – also comes into its own here.”