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Show SMUT IN WHEAT UNDERCONTROL Wheat growers of Utah ami tne western states are looking with unusual un-usual interest at the results of the smut-resistant variety of wheat thatj has been announced by the Utah Ex- periment station and bred by Professor Profes-sor D. C. Tingey, assistant agronomist. agrono-mist. It is estimated that smut takes an annual toll of more than one million mil-lion dollars from the wheat growers of central and northern Utah and southern Idaho alone; therefore Professor Pro-fessor Tingey's new variety of wheat is heralded as a godsend to the western west-ern section. About eight years ago an investigation investi-gation was begun at the Utah Experiment Ex-periment station for the purpose of breeding smut-resistant varieties, adapted to Utah conditions. The details of breeding these resistant varieties were assigned to Professor Profes-sor Tingey. A number of varieties were introduced from different sections sec-tions of the United States. These varieties were tested for resistance to smut. A number of wheat crosses were made from which were selected a large number of the more desirable types, reports Professor Tingey. One of the first hybrids obtained was from a Hussar-Turkey cross. The Hussar is resistant to most covered smuts in this section, whereas Turkey Tur-key is susceptible. The progeny from this cross has now passed through eight years of heavy smut tests; conditions which would ordinarily ordi-narily cause heavy smut infection oi susceptible varieties. Concurrently with the smut test, a yield test was conducted. These same selections were compared wirh some of the leading varieties, such as Kanred, Goldcoin, and Silvercoin. The results of a three-year yield test show that the hybrid selections yield as well as the better local varieties. Seed from the resistant strain was given two farmers for trial for the first time in the fall of 1930. Now seed from the new variety is being grown with gratifying results on approximately 500 acres in Cache, Box Elder, Juab, Summit and Mil- lard counties, the county agents report. re-port. This is only a beginning, the agronomist ag-ronomist points out, for he looks I forward to the time when the I ravages of smut will be reduced to I a minimum in this section of the country. |