MET

This service is aimed as a post-registration test for European wheat varieties. By the end of benchmarking, genotypes are characterised for tolerance to environmental constraints and abiotic stresses (water stress, heat stress and sub-optimal N supply), ii) the ability to compete with weeds, iii) the ability to be associated in strip crops or variety mixtures with potential companion genotypes. Variety performance is evaluated in field experiments and related to environmental constraints.

Specific experiments are conducted to measure genotypic traits for mixing ability and weed tolerance. These traits are used to fit models. The model-based evaluation of genotype characteristics are confirmed in field experiments.

Only basic grain quality traits (as grain protein) will be assessed. Field sites of Agroscope are utilized for variety testing for registration and post-registration in the Swiss catalogue of varieties. They are operated by professional staff according to good agricultural practice and are situated throughout the country.