Registration of ‘MT Blackbeard’ and ‘MT Raska’ durum wheat

Abstract

‘MT Blackbeard’ (Reg. no. CV-1212, PI 703025) and ‘MT Raska’ (Reg. no. CV-1213, PI 703026) are spring durum wheats (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum) developed by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and released in 2022. MT Blackbeard was bred using a four-parent cross followed by single seed descent and was selected for high yield under rainfed conditions across Montana, low grain cadmium accumulation, large seed size, high gluten strength, and resistance to the most common races of the stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) and leaf spot pathogens in Montana. MT Raska was also bred using a four-parent cross followed by single seed descent and was selected for high yield under rainfed conditions across Montana, semi-dwarf plant height, exceptional test weight, semolina color retention, and resistance to the most common races of the stem rust and leaf spot pathogens in Montana. Both lines yield well in the North Central and Eastern regions of Montana, where most Montana durum is produced and are intended for pasta production. MT Blackbeard is approximately 72.7 cm tall, similar to the commonly produced line ‘ND Riveland’, has signature black awns, and flowers 1 day later than ND Riveland. MT Raska is approximately 56.2-cm tall, significantly shorter than ND Riveland, and flowers approximately 4 days earlier than ND Riveland.