ADOPT SWDC Wheat varieties and seeding rate against wheat stem sawfly damage
In a 2024 trial at four Saskatchewan sites, four spring wheat varieties with different stem types were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with four replicates across seeding rates of 200, 300, and 400 seeds/m². Only the Scott site showed a significant varietal response to stem sawfly incidence. Here, CDC Adamant VB experienced the highest sawfly damage and lowest yield, while CDC Landmark VB had the least damage and high yield. Low sawfly pressure overall hindered clear interactions between stem solidness and resistance. CDC Landmark VB consistently ranked among the top-yielding varieties the majority of locations, making it a reliable choice for producers prioritizing yield stability and sawfly resistance. Conversely, CDC Adamant VB preformed rather poorly in comparison, and CDC SKRush’s yield was only competitive in Scott, limiting its broader reliability. Seeding rates had minimal overall impact on yield except in Swift Current, where higher rates improved yield. However, higher seeding rates (400 seeds/m²) did enhance protein content in Scott and Redvers. The hypothesized interaction between seeding rate and varietal performance was not observed, likely due to low sawfly pressure and the reclassification of varieties as semi-solid stems.