For several millennia, mankind has been growing a wide variety of crops, among which wheat is the most popular. It is cultivated literally wherever there is an opportunity. It is quite natural that there are a lot of breeds of a given agricultural crop, which will differ significantly from each other in a number of ways. In our ranking of the best varieties of wheat, we are going to tell you in as much detail as possible about the most characteristic options for Russian climatic conditions. We will analyze in detail the main qualities of each variety, tell you about the features of its cultivation.
The ten best varieties of wheat
10. Alekseevich
Our review opens with one of the most popular varieties, which was bred only 5 years ago. The products successfully passed through many different tests, after which it was recommended for cultivation in Russian fields. Belongs to mid-season varieties, has a fairly high yield. The height of the stems reaches only 81 cm — you do not have to worry that strong wind or rain will break it. The product resists lodging well even when overripe. The variety ripens much earlier than standard crops. The bush has an intermediate form, it does not have a leaf lowered, the color is bright green. The ear is white, not too dense, has the shape of a pyramid. The grains are not very large, bare at the base, painted red.
One of the key features of this variety is a very high yield. Grains retain their exceptional flavor even if they have to grow on soil that contains a small amount of nutrients. Wheat perfectly withstands the effects of low temperatures, its baking qualities are very high. Agronomists managed to develop a variety with very high immunity — it easily resists various diseases and pests.
Advantages:
- One of the most productive varieties;
- Excellent baking characteristics;
- Taste qualities are preserved even in conditions of lack of nutritional compounds;
- Ripened wheat does not fall on the ground;
- Good resistance to various diseases and pests.
Disadvantages:
- Seed material is quite expensive.
Wheat Alekseevich
9. Thunder
One of the softest breeds of wheat, it is often preferred by farmers engaged in farming in the conditions of the southern regions. The variety perfectly resists various kinds of diseases, in terms of yield it largely surpasses most other breeds. Flour products from wheat of this variety will retain their taste and freshness for a long time, due to which this breed belongs to valuable varieties. Breeders have developed such a variety based on other options that are characterized by high resistance to low temperatures. For the first time, wheat was put into mass production about 10 years ago. It is an annual herbaceous plant.
The grass belongs to the semi-dwarf group. The stem of the variety grows no more than 90 cm. It is hollow inside, not too powerful, in the central part it has a decent thickening. Nevertheless, the stalk is quite rigid — even with a heavily overripe ear, it is not prone to lodging. The root system is simply excellently developed — you can not be afraid that the plant will bend with winds or rains. The foliage is rather long and bright green. No insects are required for pollination. The full growing season for this winter variety is about 230 — 270 days. Wheat easily tolerates drought and hot climates.
Advantages:
- It tolerates both high and fairly low temperatures;
- Calmly feels in conditions of lack of moisture;
- Differs in very high productivity;
- Strong immunity protects against diseases;
- The grain is quite soft;
- Can be planted in any region.
Disadvantages:
- It gives an excessively abundant green mass, in which all kinds of pests can feel comfortable.
Wheat Thunder
8. Tanya
This variety first appeared on farmers’ fields over 15 years ago and is a patented type of crop. This is another undersized variety with high resistance to lodging. The shape of the ear resembles a hollow cylinder. The length is medium, dense too. The scales of the ear and the grain itself are ovoid in shape. The grains are quite large — 1000 pieces will weigh about 46 grams. This variety is appreciated by experienced farmers, as it perfectly resists shedding, brown and yellow rust, as well as other ear diseases, do not appear on it. The variety itself is very productive, well tolerates any weather conditions. It easily tolerates frosty weather, and the variety is absolutely not sensitive to drought.
This variety is quite widespread in our country, largely due to its resistance to climatic features of the area. This variety is especially valued by farmers due to its resistance to shedding. Up to 97 centners of wheat can be harvested from one hectare, the minimum figure is 45 centners. The quality of the grain itself fully complies with the requirements that apply to soft varieties.
Advantages:
- Very high yields;
- Easily withstands drought and frost;
- Does not require regular fertilization.
Disadvantages:
- Seed material is quite expensive.
Wheat Tanya
7. Yuka
This variety was bred relatively recently — it first appeared less than 10 years ago. Krasnodar breeders worked on its creation. This cereal has low stems — they grow up to a maximum of one meter. The ears are yellow, and the grain itself belongs to soft varieties. Plants are not sensitive to bending of the stems, the crop does not crumble due to strong winds or rains. The root system is very close to the soil surface. The foliage of the plants is long, has the shape of a lancet. The stem is hollow inside, in the central part there is a seal. Often there are lateral shoots, which are also able to produce a crop.
No insects are needed to pollinate grass. If the weather during flowering is sunny, then the variety blooms openly; in cloudy weather, flowering is closed. The ripening period is considered medium-late — the duration of the growing season is from 92 to 100 days. Plants have a fairly high immunity: they are not sensitive to powdery mildew, stem rust and a number of other diseases. Wheat perfectly tolerates high ambient temperatures and is resistant to lack of moisture.
Advantages:
- Good indicators of winter hardiness make it possible to grow this wheat in almost all regions;
- Increased resistance to various diseases;
- Very high yield regardless of weather conditions;
- Easily tolerates heat and drought;
- The harvest does not crumble.
Disadvantages:
- The root system is close to the surface of the earth, so the stems are often weak.
Yuca wheat
6. Yermak
This hybrid was created at the very beginning of the century, it is grown not only in our country, but also far beyond its borders. The variety is considered highly productive. The spike is shaped like a spindle, the scales are ovoid. The height of the plant is in the range from 75 to 85 cm. The grain itself is oval in shape, colored red, with a shallow groove in the middle. Medium wheat. 1000 grains weigh about 45-50 grams. From the moment of sowing to harvesting, 230-290 days pass. The variety has a very high yield: up to 10 tons can be harvested from one hectare, but this happens only in the most successful years, usually this figure fluctuates around 6 tons per hectare. The breed tolerates cold very well — about 98% of seeds survive after frost.
The greatest harvest of wheat can be harvested when growing it in the southern regions and in the middle lane. It is worth noting that this variety is quite sensitive to various diseases, so it is necessary to regularly inspect crops and take preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of diseases.
Advantages:
- Easily tolerates both drought with heat and severe frosts;
- Does not require the use of chemicals;
- Late terms of sowing in the ground;
- Good resistance to lodging and shedding.
Disadvantages:
- Very weak immunity in relation to both diseases and pests.
Wheat Ermak
5. Iren
The variety is recommended for cultivation both in the European and Asian parts of our country. The stems of wheat are of medium length, the straws are rather thin, but they stand straight and do not bend in strong winds. There is a medium wax coating on the ear. 1000 grains weigh between 35 and 48 grams. Wheat belongs to the early ripe varieties — its growing season is about 75-95 days. The crop is characterized by excellent baking qualities, plants are able to live for a long time without moisture. The yield can reach 40 centners per hectare, but under ideal conditions this figure rises to 58 centners.
The root system lies quite deep, which increases the resistance of plants, and also makes them more powerful. Ideally, grains should be germinated — this allows you to significantly reduce the growing season, increase resistance to various diseases. If this is not possible, then before flowering should be treated with fungicides.
Advantages:
- Feels comfortable regardless of the temperature;
- Does not crumble even if overripe;
- The root system lies deep — the bushes are very stable;
- Decent yield;
- Good resistance to various diseases and pests.
Disadvantages:
- Before sowing, it is desirable to germinate the seeds;
- The variety requires treatment with fungicides.
Wheat Iren
4. Licamero
One of the newest varieties in this review — it was developed in 2017 by French agronomists. This breed is excellent for the southern regions, as well as for the middle lane. The bush grows semi-erect, but even under a strong wind it does not bend. Average height — no more than 90 cm. Straw of medium thickness, but able to withstand even large grains. The ear has the shape of a pyramid, is painted white, and has an average density. The mass of a thousand seeds is about 33-44 grams. Productivity can vary from 29 to 49 centners per hectare, however, under optimal conditions, this figure increases to maximum values - 73-74 centners.
The length of the growing season ranges from 72 to 97 days. This grade of wheat belongs to valuable breeds thanks to high baking characteristics. It grows quickly, especially in the early phases, and is not susceptible to frost. Before sowing, the soil must be abundantly fertilized with nitrogen-containing compounds.
Advantages:
- Feels comfortable under a variety of climatic conditions;
- Ripens fast enough;
- High resistance to various diseases and pests.
Disadvantages:
- It does not tolerate a lack of moisture — it should be sown on fields equipped with an artificial irrigation system.
Licamero wheat
3. Ascetic
The main distinguishing feature of this variety is the white ear and red-colored grain. The bush is considered semi-erect, its maximum height reaches 102 cm. The grain is of medium size, a thousand seeds weigh no more than 45 grams. This is a high-yielding breed that perfectly withstands hot and cold climates, the grain contains a high percentage of protein, which makes it possible to classify the variety as valuable. From one hectare you can collect an average of 44.5 centners, the maximum value reaches 63 centners.
This wheat resists well the most common diseases in cereals — loose smut and leaf rust, but is considered sensitive to powdery mildew. The variety is grown in almost any climatic conditions, but it must be remembered that in a cool climate, the yield will be lower compared to warm regions.
Advantages:
- Very high quality grain — it contains a decent percentage of protein;
- Good yield even in arid climates;
- Perfectly adapts to climatic conditions;
- Resistant to lodging;
- High immunity to the most common diseases in wheat.
Disadvantages:
- It is necessary to treat the grains with fungicides before sowing.
Wheat Ascetic
2. Bagrat
A mid-early breed that is also characterized by accelerated growth during the spring months and excellent grain quality. Wheat bushes grow no more than 1 m in height. The ear is of medium density, has the shape of a pyramid, and is about 11 cm long. The grain itself is of medium size, it is somewhat elongated in length. It tastes bland, but sweetish notes are felt — it contains a high percentage of glucose. The variety belongs to the mid-early group. The duration of the growing season is 219-278 days from the moment of sowing into the ground, it ripens a few days earlier compared to other similar varieties.
The grass is able to cope with weeds on its own — it simply obscures them. The foliage is plentiful, so the soil under the plants is always in the shade and does not dry out. The cereal tolerates a lack of moisture well, and this will not affect the yield in any way. It has high immunity to all diseases, is not susceptible to pests, and can withstand fairly low temperatures.
Advantages:
- High productivity of the variety;
- The percentage of germination is 98%;
- Easily tolerates lack of moisture;
- Withstands low temperatures;
- Good taste characteristics;
- Resists diseases and pests.
Disadvantages:
- Needs regular fertilization.
Wheat Bagrat
1. Steppe
Despite the fact that this variety was bred by Soviet breeders in the middle of the last century, it is still popular with experienced farmers. Up to 12 stems grow from one grain, on each of which an ear is formed. The foliage is elongated, flat, the surface is slightly rough to the touch, the width of the sheet can reach 20 mm. The inflorescences are quite long — they grow up to 15 cm.
The height of the stems does not exceed 94 cm. Wheat is considered medium-early, it does not crumble and does not lie down. Bushes tolerate low temperatures well, resistant to drought. Wheat itself is not susceptible to viruses and other diseases. 1000 grains weigh about 40-45 grams. This is one of the most productive varieties suitable for growing in the difficult Russian climate — it was possible to collect a maximum of 110 centners per hectare, the average is about 75-80 centners. Grain has high technological and baking properties.
Advantages:
- Good resistance to frost, heat and drought;
- Bushes are resistant to lodging and shedding;
- Excellent baking qualities;
- Excellent yield;
- High immunity allows the variety to be insensitive to diseases and pests;
- Plants are low.
Disadvantages:
- Not detected.
Wheat Steppe
In conclusion, a useful video
Our review of the best wheat varieties in 2022 has come to an end. If you have already encountered the breeds presented here, then you can always tell other readers about your experience in the comments to this article. They will be very interested in receiving original information directly from first hand.