Avatar is the new hybrid currently showing the best gross output figures of all candidate varieties based on NL trials. The other key point is that it is early maturing to give a spread of harvesting – a benefit that is especially important for the large-scale wheat growers.
Avatar has the highest gross output of the candidate varieties, based on NL 2-year east/west region trials with the second highest seed yield, combined with one of the highest oil contents of candidate varieties. With oilseed rape prices high, the oil content bonus becomes even more valuable.
It is an early maturing variety, important to spread the harvest load. This makes it an ideal variety for the big milling wheat growers who can get their oilseed rape into the shed to be ready for their wheat.
Avatar has good stem stiffness, it is medium height and mid to early maturity and has good disease resistance with provisional score of 6 for Light leaf spot and 5 for Stem canker. Also it has good autumn vigour – comparable to Excalibur – and similar spring vigour and flowering time.
