PollenPLUS® technology

What is PollenPLUS™ technology?

PollenPLUS™: Reducing the risk of ergot infection

The innovative PollenPLUS™ technology from KWS ensures significantly improved pollen formation in hybrid rye and effectively strengthens the plants’ resistance to ergot: The increased pollen shedding prevents the fungus from penetrating the stigmas, the flowers are fertilized faster and the glumes close sooner – meaning the hybrid rye has the best possible protection.

advantages PollenPLUS

Can help to support ergot defense

-0,5 kg N

per 100 kg

harvested grain compared to wheat

10 %

in 10 years from 2009 to 2019

25 %

less than wheat

higher

Pollen shedding capacity

Innovation

starts with seeds

For KWS, the continuous improvement of ergot resistance is the most important breeding target, besides grain yield and stability of modern hybrid rye varieties.

Kristof Stolze, KWS Global Portfolio Manager

“In order to be able to evaluate our varieties even earlier and compare them with the current portfolio, we have set up our own trial network, based on the official trial system. There KWS varieties are tested for ergot resistance at five different locations in Germany and Poland to identify varieties with highest pollen shedding potential.”

1 / 4

If the pollen count is low, ergot spores can penetrate the stigmas of the rye.
2 / 4

This results in an ergot infestation, which can jeopardize the harvest.
3 / 4

The PollenPLUS technology ensures greater pollen counts that repel floating ergot spores.
4 / 4

The result: a strong and healthy rye harvest!