Saluda Wheat

'Saluda' is a mid-season, soft red winter wheat that is high yielding. It was developed to be resistant to several strains of powdery mildew caused by Puccinia graminis. The plants are medium-short, reaching about thirty inches in height,^[1] profusely produce tillers, and tends to lodge under conditions of high fertility.^[2] Its spikes are short, compact, awnletted with very short tip awns. There are three, plump seeds per spikelet. 'Saluda' exhibits moderate resistance to powdery mildew, as well as leaf rust. It was originally developed as a winter-hardy variety for the mid-Atlantic region. Good quality for milling into flour.^[1,2]

'Saluda' was developed by stabilizing a cross between 'VA 71-54-147' with 'Coker 68-15' wheat with the intent of improving disease resistance. This work was done at the Virginia Tech Agricultural Experiment Station^[1] who introduced to farmers in the United Stated in 1983.^[1] PVP was awarded in April of 1988 but has since expired in April of 2006.^[1,2] USDA accession number PI 480474. There are approximately 100 seeds in 3.5 grams.