PREVENTING LOW FALLING NUMBERS IN WASHINGTON WHEAT THROUGH PREHARVEST SPROUTING AND LMA TOLERANCE.

The ARS and COOPERATOR are collaborating to reduce the risk of financial losses due to low falling number (LFN) for Washington and U.S. wheat farmers through the following specific objectives: 1. Identify varieties with stable FN by performing enzyme assays, FN tests, and statistical analyses of variety trials in environments with PHS- and/or LMA-inducing weather; 2. Develop breeder-friendly selection methods for tolerance; 3. Identify and develop molecular markers linked to LMA and PHS tolerance in wheat; 4. Raise antibodies to wheat alpha-amylases and develop an ELISA assay as a proxy for falling numbers.