Several promising lines being increased for possible release and many lines now in replicated yield trials across Kansas. End-use quality of lines being tested has steadily improved. This program will play a key role in the success of identity preserved production and marketing programs and future improvements in end-use quality. To improve agronomic performance, wheat breeders often cross existing varieties with soft wheats and diverse grass-like relatives of wheat which have unacceptable quality. Thousands of new lines are produced in the process.
Breeders can measure factors which determine agronomic performance among the segregating progeny.
But breeders cannot 9 select for end-use by looking at the grain from their best agronomic selections. Laboratory tests carried out by persons with specialized equipment, training and experience are required to identify lines which have acceptable or superior kernel hardness, protein content, milling and flour properties. Jagger was selected from a cross between an experimental Hard Red Winter line and Stephens, a Soft White Winter wheat from the Pacific Northwest. During the selection process, many lines were discarded because of unacceptable quality. Ultimately, the quality of varieties available to Kansas growers will be improved and this will enhance value of Kansas wheat in domestic and export markets and may result in premiums to growers.