tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830218978319884879.post7483196427921592671..comments2023-10-11T02:30:58.114-07:00Comments on Farming Portland - Local Food, Portland Sources: Oregon Durum Wheat, Update 2Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14142543471784414556noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830218978319884879.post-85626380599393544872011-02-18T09:40:23.323-08:002011-02-18T09:40:23.323-08:00Jason,
Interesting. A little more on cross pollin...Jason,<br /><br />Interesting. A little more on cross pollination, if I may. Normally, you can figure that about 1-2% of like wheats (same number of chromosome sets) will cross pollinate, which is also referred to as out pollination. But, in a hot year, windy conditions at the right time, or unusually long "open" time (the amount of time the self-pollinating plant heads are in bloom roughly at the same time) you may see even 6-9% out crossing. This is how Triticale resolved itself and became a mother nature created cross. Most Durum is a four chromosome set plant, which means fewer sets than most white and/or red wheats. So, if I were going to plant it I would certainly isolate at least in year one until I could watch the pollen drift etc to get a feel for it. Wheat pollen is heavy, so it does not drift badly. It is also has a short viability, maybe a few hours. But, there are always those darn bees. The trouble with the out pollination of a four set plant with a plant of different number sets is that the offspring (seed) is almost always sterile, a bummer to find out when you plant your retained seed crop the next year.<br /><br />Scot LaneyScot Laneyhttp://forkrevolution.comnoreply@blogger.com