Late sowing varieties of wheat refer to those types of wheat that can be planted later in the season than usual. These varieties have been specially bred to tolerate the shorter growing season that comes with late planting. For farmers who miss the optimal sowing window, planting late sowing wheat varieties can be a good option to salvage their harvest.
Late sowing wheat varieties come in two types: winter and spring. Winter varieties are planted in the fall and are able to survive the winter, while spring varieties are planted in the spring. Here are some of the late-sown wheat varieties that farmers can choose to plant:
1. Westonia: Westonia is a winter wheat variety that is well suited for late planting. It was developed by the University of Western Australia for the low-rainfall, Mediterranean climate. Westonia exhibits good tolerance to drought and heat and can be planted as late as June.
2. Yitpi: Yitpi is another winter wheat variety that can be planted later than most other wheat varieties. It was developed by the South Australian Research and Development Institute and has good drought and heat tolerance.
3. Lancer: Lancer is a spring wheat variety that can be planted in late winter or early spring. It was developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center and has good disease resistance and good yields.
4. Mace: Mace is another spring wheat variety that has good late planting characteristics. It was developed by the University of Sydney and has excellent bread-making quality.
5. Kennedy: Kennedy is a spring wheat variety that has good tolerance to late planting. It was developed by the University of Queensland and has good drought and frost tolerance.
While planting late sowing varieties can be a good way to avoid yield loss when planting is delayed, it is important to note that planting late can still result in lower yields compared to planting at the optimal time. Late planting can also increase the risk of disease and pest problems. Farmers should therefore consult with agricultural extension services in their area to determine the best late-sowing varieties to use and to get advice on farming practices that can improve their chances of a successful harvest.