The winter wheat variety Balaton is an early-maturing and medium-height Austrian selection, characterized by high yield and adaptability to various climatic conditions. The plant is low-growing, bushy, and resistant to lodging, which contributes to stable grain formation. The vegetation period ranges from 260 to 280 days, making it suitable for regions with moderate climates. Balaton has been registered in the national registry since 2014 and is successfully cultivated in several European countries, including Ukraine.
The variety is characterized by high winter hardiness and drought resistance, confirmed by scores of 8-9 in state variety trials. Additionally, Balaton exhibits good resistance to major wheat diseases such as powdery mildew, brown and yellow rust, and fusarium, reducing the need for intensive plant protection and increasing the economic efficiency of cultivation.
The grain of the Balaton variety possesses high baking qualities: protein content ranges from 12.5 to 13.5%, and raw gluten content from 27 to 28.6%. Grain density reaches 790 g/l, and the thousand-grain weight varies from 40 to 45 g. The potential yield of the variety is 90-120 ц/ha, while actual yields in Ukraine typically reach 75-85 ц/ha. Due to these characteristics, wheat Balaton is widely used in the food industry for producing high-quality flour and bakery products.
