Our Varieties
Sunchaser
Wheat
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A lower risk alternative to Suntop, LRPB Reliant and LRPB Hellfire
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Excellent grain size, with reduced levels of screenings
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APH quality classification
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Suited to the main season planting window
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Slightly quicker maturity than Suntop and LRPB Reliant
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Longest coleoptile available in APH main season varieties
For full details download the Sunchaser fact sheet
Coleoptile length & effect of sowing depth on wheat - info sheet
Seed Availability
Commercial quantities of Sunchaser may be available through AGT Affiliates, or your local retailer.
Sunchaser is able to be traded between growers upon the completion of a License Agreement as part of AGT’s Seed Sharing™ initiative.
PBR and EPR
Sunchaser is protected by Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) and all production (except seed saved for planting) is liable to an End Point Royalty (EPR), which funds future plant breeding.
Sunchaser growers will be subject to a Growers License Agreement that acknowledges that an EPR of $3.5/tonne + GST has to be paid on all production other than seed saved for planting.
Breeders comments
Since its release, Suntop has become one of the dominant wheat varieties for main season planting in the northern region due to a combination of high and consistent yield, wide adaptation, and tolerance to sodic soils. However, in drier/ sharper finishes to the season, Suntop, along with LRPB Reliant, can express higher than acceptable levels of screenings.
One of our major breeding objectives has been to improve Suntop’s grain size and disease resistance package whilst retaining its very wide adaptation, yield and agronomic suitability for the northern growing region. We believe that we have realised that goal with Sunchaser.
Sunchaser (tested as SUN843E) may be viewed as a ‘safer Suntop’, offering similar yields and most importantly a much lower risk of screenings. Elevated levels of screenings is a major factor contributing to downgrades at point of sale. This feature of Sunchaser has the potential to improve grower’s profitability over Suntop, among other varieties.
As a LRPB Reliant alternative, Sunchaser has produced slightly higher yields, improved grain size and a much longer coleoptile. Compared to LRPB Spitfire, Sunchaser has demonstrated much higher grain yield, and with lower risk of screenings and a longer coleoptile. Compared to LRPB Hellfire, Sunchaser is more tolerant to RLN (P. thornei) and has better resistance to stripe rust and leaf rust.
Sunchaser fits the main season sowing window in northern growing regions, with a slightly quicker maturity than Suntop and LRPB Reliant, and a little slower than LRPB Spitfire and LRPB Hellfire.