Sunblade CL Plus has been specifically developed to carry two genes for tolerance to Clearfield® Intervix® herbicide. Intervix® is a member of the imidalolinone chemical family with Group 2 (formerly Group B) mode of action, offering one-pass post-emergent knockdown and residual control of many major grass and broadleaf weeds.
Intervix® herbicide is available via the Clearfield® Agricentre Agency system, administered by BASF. For more information visit crop-solutions.basf.com.au/products/intervix or Toll Free 1800 558 399.
Please contact an AGT Affiliate or your local retailer for seed.
Sunblade CL Plus 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.
Sunblade CL Plus growers will be subject to a Grower License Agreement that acknowledges that an EPR of $4.35/tonne + GST must be paid on all production other than seed saved for planting.
Breeders comments
Sunblade CL Plus offers a significant step forward in Clearfield® Intervix® tolerant wheat varieties, being the first to have an APH quality classification. Not only that, Sunblade CL Plus also offers a big yield advantage over many commonly grown varieties.
There has been considerable adoption of Clearfield® technology across various crop types for the control of a broad range of weeds, but until recently, growers in northern NSW and Queensland have only had limited options of suitable Clearfield® wheat varieties. Elmore CL Plus has been used in the past, but comes with a yield penalty and an AH quality classification.
Sunblade CL Plus displays a significant yield advantage over both its major parent Suntop and Elmore CL Plus, while the maturity of Sunblade CL Plus is very similar to Suntop. In general, Sunblade CL Plus is ideally suited to planting opportunities from the second week of May onwards.
Sunblade CL Plus is slightly shorter in plant height compared to Suntop, with similar lodging resistance whilst displaying similar or slightly smaller grain size.
Many growers have already adopted Sunblade CL Plus as their main season variety of choice, as it has proven to be very widely adapted throughout all wheat growing regions of northern NSW and Queensland. A combination of very high yield, APH quality classification, sound disease resistance and tolerance in a wheat variety with Clearfield® technology is a very attractive option.