Writer: Marlene Fritz (208/364-4010 in Boise)
Source: Ed Souza (208/397-4181 at Aberdeen)

ABERDEEN, Idaho–Southern Idaho wheat growers interested in trying a promising new, high-protein hard red spring variety should place their orders for Iona–formerly Idaho 492–with the University of Idaho Foundation Seed Program by Feb. 11.

Developed by UI wheat breeder Ed Souza of the university’s Aberdeen Research and Extension Center, Iona is a cross between Idaho 367 and Klasic. Although its yields fall about two bushels short of Jefferson’s, Iona delivers an average six-tenths of a percent more protein. "Its grain protein is typically one of the highest of the varieties we test," Souza says. At 35 inches, Iona also maintains sufficient height to be easily combined.

"It’s a very good hard red spring wheat for dryland," says Souza. He considers Iona a potential replacement for the North Dakota variety Amidon. Under rainfed production, Iona’s yields are 5 percent higher than Amidon’s and its test weights are one to one-and-a-half pounds heavier.

"Iona is really for the growers who have found yields of shorter wheats to be too variable and producing them to be too economically risky," Souza says. "Where yields have a significant probability of falling below 30 bushels per acre, Iona’s height advantage over Jefferson makes it a smart choice." Shorter wheats tend to have shallower root zones and are generally less competitive with weeds.

At the UI’s Tetonia Research and Extension Center, superintendent Jim Whitmore says Iona "yields as well as anything out there in the red wheats, but the main reason to grow it would be the protein." At Tetonia, Iona reaches 13 percent protein when Jefferson scores 11.8 percent.

Other strengths include adult plant resistance to stripe rust and leaf rust, relatively high milling yield and good bread-baking characteristics. According to Souza, Iona has been "well received by industry" in Pacific Northwest quality evaluations.

Because Iona is several days later than Jefferson, Souza says it is best suited to lower-elevation locations. He recommends it only for dryland production because it is not strong-strawed relative to its yield and height. Other shortcomings are its susceptibility to powdery mildew and to Hessian fly, which make Iona a "poor choice" for Panhandle or Palouse fields.

To order allocations of Iona foundation seed, contact Kathy Stewart-Williams at telephone (208) 423-6655, fax (208) 423-6656 or e-mail williams@kimberly.uidaho.edu in Kimberly.