Bardotka

French breeding in action: field experience with Bardotka

When it comes to stability, RAGT's Bardotka wheat variety immediately comes to mind. It is a case where French genetics deliver results even with minimal intervention. Over several seasons of field operations, this variety has proven to be a predictable and reliable tool for producing commercial grain with excellent milling characteristics.

Field performance and agronomy

The medium-height plant (100-110 cm) behaves quite uniformly in the field. We have not observed significant lodging, which greatly facilitates the work of combine operators during harvest. With a stand density of 4.0-5.0 million productive stems per hectare, the variety demonstrates excellent tillering and canopy closure, which effectively smothers weeds.

Regarding pathogen resistance, Bardotka is a tough nut to crack. Fusarium head blight, septoria, and brown rust rarely cause issues if a standard protection scheme is followed. Even in humid conditions, powdery mildew does not become a critical problem, which noticeably reduces fungicide costs.

Harvest economics

A thousand-grain weight of 40-45 grams allows for high grain filling and quality metrics at harvest. A potential yield of 8-9 tons is a very achievable goal, provided agronomic timelines and fertilizer rates are respected. The main advantage of this variety is its uniform ripening, which minimizes harvest losses.

• Stability: high resistance to major head diseases.
• Efficiency: optimal plant height and excellent lodging resistance.
• Result: high yield potential of up to 9 tons/ha.

For a farmer, Bardotka is an easy-to-manage variety that doesn't require constant tweaking. If you are looking for a balance between crop safety and gross harvest potential, this RAGT variety is definitely worth considering for your next season.