CIMMYT annual report on wheat improvement, 1975

CIMMYT conducts research at eight sites in Mexico. The government of Mexico released three new bread wheats developed at these sites in 1975. Cocoraque 75 is resistant to leaf rust. Salesmanca 75 is a soft biscuit-type wheat with good rust resistance. Due to a slightly weak crown root, however, it is somewhat susceptible to lodging. Zaragoza 75 is a late maturing one-gene dwarf with red grain, highly resistant to leaf rust, but susceptible to stripe rust. A higher yielding durum wheat, Mexicali 75, was also released. The number of new primary triticales available has been substantially increased since 1974 when the techniques of embryo culture and colchicine treatments were improved. With the introduction of dwarfing genes and better fertility, yields of the top triticale lines in Mexico are nearly equal to those of wheat checks. The aim of the barley development program is to intercross and combine the desirable characters now present in reasonable agronomic types. Several lines have already been distributed to cooperating countries in the form of yield trials or as screening nurseries. CIMMYT crossing blocks have also been distributed. Testing programs are also conducted in Africa, the Near East, Asia and the Pacific. Research sites include: Algeria, Cyprus, Iraq, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey, Afghanistan, India and Nepal. A country-by-country report is given on specific research progress.