ST. PAUL, Minn., (4/6/2015) ‘Bolles’ is a promising hard red spring wheat released by the University of Minnesota’s Agricultural Experiment Station in January 2015. The variety’s outstanding characteristic is its very high grain protein content in combination with above average yield potential, a difficult combination to achieve. Certified seed producers affiliated with the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association are increasing Bolles this year and it will be available to farmers for 2016 planting.
Bolles is a mid-to-late maturity hard red spring wheat variety with high baking quality and competitive grain yields, in addition to very high grain protein content. Its test name was MN08165-8 and over the last three years it showed excellent leaf rust resistance and moderate resistance to Fusarium head blight and bacterial leaf streak. Bolles also has excellent preharvest sprouting resistance.
University of Minnesota wheat breeder Jim Anderson says, “Bolles sets a new standard for protein content and grain yield among modern varieties. It is a percentage point - or more - higher in protein than all varieties that yield better. And, its yield is at least 3% higher when compared to all varieties within a percentage point of its region-leading protein level.”
This year Bolles plantings can be previewed during field days at the University’s Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC), Crookston and at on farm trials in northwest Minnesota. Visit nwroc.umn.edu in June for a schedule of mid-summer events.
Its name remembers the first flour mill in Minnesota, built in the winter of 1845-46 by Lemuel Bolles in Afton. It was on a stream known as Bolles Creek, now more commonly called Valley Creek, which enters the St. Croix River about a quarter mile away. The Bolles mill had a nine-foot water wheel and could produce 50 barrels a day of flour. He ground corn and wheat. There is now a historical marker on Washington County Road 18 near the site.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have been evaluating and developing wheat varieties since 1889. ‘Bolles’ will be distributed through Minnesota Crop Improvement Association members; a list of seed producers will be available in September at www.mncia.org.
Contacts:
- Jim Anderson, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, [email protected], 612-625-9763
- Jochum Wiersma, University of Minnesota Extension Agronomist, Northwest Research and Outreach Center, [email protected], 218-281-8629 Cell: 218-280-0123
- Roger Wippler, Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, [email protected], 1-800-510-6242