Spring Durum Wheat (MTD19011)
Montana State University seeks a partner to license and commercialize a new spring durum wheat.
Description:
MTD19011 is a high-yielding spring durum wheat variety developed for Montana and Northern Plains production systems. It combines excellent yield potential with large kernels, high semolina extraction, medium gluten strength, low cadmium accumulation, and a balanced disease-resistance package.
Development and Pedigree:
MTD19011 was developed from the cross Alkabo/Brigade//AAC Durafield and selected for agronomic performance, grain quality, and adaptation to Montana’s major durum-growing regions.
Key Advantages:
- Leading yield performance across Montana environments
- Large kernels with strong falling number
- High semolina yield and low semolina ash
- Good yellow semolina color and medium gluten strength
- Low cadmium accumulation allele
- Moderate resistance to stripe rust and tan spot
- Lowest Fusarium-damaged kernels and DON among varieties tested
Agronomic Performance
Statewide Trials (2022–2025, 41 location-years):
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- Average yield of 59.2 bu/ac, the highest numerical yield among tested varieties
- Significantly higher yielding than all varieties except MT Blackbeard
- Test weight of 60.3 lb/bu
- Grain protein of 15.0%
Dryland Durum Regions (2022–2025, 30 location-years):
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- Average yield of 45.2 bu/ac, the highest numerical yield in the trial
- Outyielded ND Riveland by 4.2 bu/ac and competitive with Alzada in north-central Montana
- Highest numerical yield in northeastern Montana at 62.1 bu/ac
Grain and Semolina Quality:
- Large kernel weight: 40.2 mg
- Falling number: 475 seconds
- Semolina yield: 63.8%
- Semolina ash: 0.65%
- Semolina yellowness: 30.7
- Gluten index: 70.2, providing medium gluten strength
MTD19011 offers millers a strong combination of large kernels, high semolina recovery, low ash, and commercially desirable color.
Disease and Agronomic Traits:
- Resistant to the stem rust isolate tested
- Moderate resistance to stripe rust and the predominant tan spot race tested
- Low cadmium accumulation allele
- Lowest Fusarium-damaged kernels and DON concentration in Fusarium nursery testing
- Standard height with medium maturity
MTD19011 is hollow-stemmed and is best positioned where wheat stem sawfly is not the primary production constraint.
Adaptation:
MTD19011 is best suited for:
- Montana durum production regions
- Northern Plains environments with similar climate and production conditions
- Additional U.S. and Canadian spring durum regions
Licensing Opportunity:
- US plant variety protection (PVP) rights available for license and commercialization in all states; international plant breeder’s rights available for license and commercialization outside the United States.
- Additional agronomic information available in the MTD19011 Variety Release Package.
- Licensee(s) to purchase ~650 bu treated Foundation Seed in late fall/early winter 2026 from MSU at a rate of $42/bu.
- To submit a licensing proposal, respond by 11:59pm Friday, October 16, 2026, using the licensing opportunity and term sheet document.