Triticale breeding in Switzerland

Triticale research in Switzerland started in the beginning of the fifties and was focused on the enhancement of the fertility of octoploid triticales. From 1976 onwards, research on triticale was gradually abandoned to make place for the development of the more promising hexaploid triticale. Today 11.000 ha are cultivated in Switzerland. Triticale will get increasing importance in marginal agricultural zones of Switzerland and Europe. This is dependent on the enhancement of yield stability. The aim of our breeding programme is the creation of short straw triticales with good grain formation and resistance to diseases and preharvest sprouting. The first step in shortening straw lenght by recurrent selection resulted in two new varieties about 10 to 15% shorter than the variety Laskowithout reduction in yield potential. A very rigorous selection is carried out for grain formation from the F2 generation. This objectif is especially difficult to achieve for short straw triticales. The resistance level of our material to yellow rust, brown rust and Septoria nodorum is good. An artificial infection method is being studied at our institute for the screening of resistance to head blight (Fusarium). The cold tolerance level of our material is sufficient for our climatic conditions. However triticale is rather sensitive to snow mould. Attemps are undertaken to transfer resistance genes from landraces of wheat into triticale. Five varieties of our programme have so far been registrated : Gaetan and Formulin in France, Brio, Meridal and Tridel in Switzerland. Other lines are being tested in official trials in several European countries.