Voluntary On-Farm Trials and Breed Tests

Summary

Since 2012, the Hungarian Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (ÖMKi) has been coordinating organic wheat cultivar trials within its on-farm research network. In these trials, each participating farmer conducts sowing and crop management using their own equipment and farming methods. Participants are free to choose the varieties they wish to test (within the selection we provide). In total, more than thirty farmers have participated in the experiments. On-site inspections are conducted based on specific criteria. From sowing to harvest, all relevant data is recorded, including agronomic, environmental, and weather-related information. We also carry out qualitative analyses on post-harvest samples. Each variety requires a plot of at least 1 x 6 metres, which corresponds to 150 grams of seed per plot for winter wheat. Varieties are typically sown in four replicates in a randomized arrangement, between late September and mid-October. Through this post-registration testing network, we aim to identify varieties that are suitable for organic production and perform reliably under organic farming conditions. Key traits we focus on include safe emergence, rapid early development, and disease resistance.
This research was funded by the Hungarian National Rural Network (MNVH) under grant number VP-20.2.-16-2016-00001, as well as by the OrganicYieldsUp, LIVESEED and LIVESEEDING projects, and the PanCivis foundation.