Alternative Wheat (Wew®)

With later sowing dates in combination with cool weather, germination and field emergence can be delayed by weeks. Then in late autumn - if at all - only some leaves might have developed (BBCH 11/13). Varieties for late to very late sowing dates must therefore be adapted to a shorter growth period. In addition, they must have a lower need for vernalization in order to build the stem and ear without delay even after mild winters with the start of the long day. Both requirements are ideally met by alternative wheat. As far as "true" alternative wheat varieties are concerned (e.g. WeW® LENNOX), these are crosses of spring and winter wheat: like spring wheat, they do not require vernalization stimulus, but on the other hand they are winter-hardy like common winter wheat varieties. With later sowing dates, they produce higher yields compared to classical winter wheat varieties. The main advantage of alternative wheat, however, is its unique sowing time flexibility: if sowing conditions are poor, sowing can easily be postponed until the end of April. Yields are then not as high as those of the best-performing spring wheat varieties. However, alternative wheat is usually drilled in late autumn with about 10% higher yield expectations.
As a cross between spring and winter wheat, WeW® alternative wheat varieties have a faster youth development than winter wheat varieties and a higher frost resistance compared to spring wheat. The optimum pre-winter development – also regarding frost resistance – should be at the beginning of tillering (BBCH 21/23). Depending on the growing region, this can be achieved with sowing dates from mid-October to mid-November, i.e. usually about three weeks after the local optimum sowing date for winter wheat.

“Real” alternative wheat varieties (WeW®) are e.g. LENNOX, MATTHUS, GRANUS and SU ALVIUS.