Astarta

Astarta is a medium-maturing variety of soft winter wheat with high-intensity type, belonging to the lucens variety. It is characterized by medium plant height (85–110 cm) and a vegetation period of 265–282 days. The variety demonstrates high ecological plasticity, allowing it to grow successfully under various soil-climatic conditions and to show resistance to different preceding crops and sowing dates. The recommended seed sowing rate is 5.5–6.0 million germinating seeds per hectare, with sowing advised in the latter half of the optimal period. Astarta exhibits high resistance to major diseases and stress factors. The variety shows high resistance to lodging and grain shattering (9 points), as well as to root rot, septoria, and fusarium (7–8 points). It is also resistant to brown leaf rust and powdery mildew, ensuring yield and grain quality preservation. The variety is also distinguished by high winter and drought resistance, making it a reliable choice for cultivation in various climatic zones, including the Polissia, forest-steppe, and steppe zones of Ukraine. The grain quality of the Astarta variety is high, confirmed by good milling and baking properties. Protein content in the grain ranges from 13.4–14.2%, and raw gluten content from 28.9–31.5%. Dough strength varies within 232–287 units of activity, ensuring bread volume from 100 g of flour at 980–1000 ml. The variety's yield is stable and high, averaging 95.7 centners per hectare. Due to these characteristics, Astarta is a valuable variety for intensive farming and production of high-quality wheat products.