A new soft red winter wheat cultivar adapted to the U.S. Southeast Region: ‘GA 09377‐16LE18’

Soft red winter wheat (SRWW; Triticum aestivum L.) is a major crop grown in the U.S. Southeast Region (the Southeast) that contributes significantly to wheat growers and the industry. However, wheat is challenged by many stresses, resulting in substantial losses in yield and quality. Therefore, developing new cultivars with high yield potential, resistance to major fungal diseases and pests in the Southeast, and good quality is warranted. This is the main goal of the SRWW breeding programs at the University of Georgia (UGA) and the Southern UNiversities GRAINS programs. The ‘GA 09377‐16LE18’ (Reg. No. CV‐1255, PI 698828) SRWW cultivar is a well‐adapted wheat developed and released by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 2019 and licensed to Dyna‐Grow Company under the name “Rutledge.” GA 09377‐16LE18 is overall well adapted to the Southeast and specifically for conditions in Georgia. It is a high‐yielding cultivar with very good resistance to most dominant diseases, including leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina Erikss.), stripe rust (caused by P. striiformis Westend.), powdery mildew (caused by Erysiphe graminis ), and soil‐borne wheat mosaic virus. GA 09377‐16LE18 is moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight (caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe) and possesses moderate field resistance to Hessian fly [ Mayetiola destructor (Say)], although it is susceptible to biotypes B, C, and L. Overall, as a SRWW, GA 09377‐16LE18 showed excellent quality attributes, including milling and baking quality.