John
Turner Seed Developments (JTSD) specialises in the
breeding, selection and development
of agricultural crop varieties, particularly linseed and oilseed rape.
Other crops represented and evaluated include buckwheat, flax, naked oats, red
clover, soya beans, sunflowers, and vetches. Research and development have
long been the major investments made by JTSD.
John
Turner's interest in linseed started in the mid 1970s and he was
instrumental in the revival of the UK crop in the 1980s, particularly its
agronomy. In 1987 BASF published John Turners book Linseed
Law A Handbook for Growers and Advisers
(356 pp). This included the first comprehensive and only practical reference chart for
the twelve distinct growth stages of linseed and flax identified by the
author. Users include NIAB in the UK, the Flax Council of Canada,
and several universities in Canada and the USA.
From
1988 John Turner started to introduce Canadian and Uruguayan linseed varieties
into the UK supported by extensive agronomy trials. Since then JTSD has had a
programme of breeding, selection, development and early multiplication.
This has produced a diverse range of unique and reliable linseed
varieties represented by several seed marketing companies in the UK
and elsewhere in Europe.
Spring
oilseed rape selections commenced in 1992 and winter oilseed rape
selections in 1994 using double haploid lines from the University of Guelph in
conjunction with Parsons Seeds Ltd of Ontario.
JTSD oilseed rape varieties are now tested and/or marketed in several EU and
East European
countries.
John
Turner has a strong agronomic background honed on the early development of
cereal growing systems in the 1970s followed by extensive trials and crop management advice on many crops in both Europe and the USA. Therefore,
the primary selection aim for JTSD varieties is their suitability for reliable
and profitable commercial production.
A
novel, special use variety in UK National List 2nd year
trials in 2008. AARDVARK has exceptionally large khaki seed
with fairly high oil content and above average ALA.
Seed yield:
variable
Oil content:
medium/high
Height:
medium
Stem strength:
medium
Seed size:
very
large
Maturity:
medium
Flower colour:
white
Seed colour:
khaki
Breeder:
JTSD
Selection:
JTSD in UK
ABACUS
A
market leading variety with a unique combination of high seed yield
and early maturity. ABACUS was added to the UK National List in
2005 and UK Descriptive List in 2006. Its flowering period is
intense and prolonged to produce a mass of capsules on vigorous
lateral branches which link to form a dense and even canopy. Consistently reliable and
recommended for all regions.
Seed yield:
very high
(108% on UK Descriptive List)
Oil content:
medium
Height:
medium
Stem strength:
medium/stiff-stiff
Seed size:
medium/small
Maturity:
early
(earliest on UK Descriptive List)
Flower colour:
white
Seed colour:
brown
Breeder:
JTSD
Selection:
JTSD in UK
FLANDERS
An
older variety which has been extensively grown for its reliable agronomic characters and high quality seed.
Seed yield:
medium
Oil content:
medium/high
Height:
medium
Stem strength:
stiff
Seed size:
small
Maturity:
medium/early
Flower colour:
blue
Seed colour:
brown
Breeder:
University of Saskatchewan,
Canada
Selection:
Crop Development
Centre, University of Saskatchewan
INGOT
A
yellow seeded specialist food market variety with vigorous canopy
development and reliable yield.
Seed yield:
high
Oil content:
medium
Height:
medium-medium/tall
Stem strength:
stiff
Seed size:
medium/small-small
Maturity:
medium-medium/late
Flower colour:
blue
Seed colour:
ochre yellow
Breeder:
Agriculture &
Agri-Food, Canada
Selection:
JTSD in UK
LASER
A
dependable variety which has a premium combination of good oil content
with relatively high ALA.
Seed yield:
medium
Oil content:
medium/high
Height:
medium
Stem strength:
stiff
Seed size:
small
Maturity:
medium/early
Flower colour:
white
Seed colour:
brown
Breeder:
JTSD
Selection:
JTSD in UK
LINUS
A
reliable variety with an excellent combination of good agronomic characters.
Seed yield:
medium
Oil content:
medium/high
Height:
medium
Stem strength:
stiff
Seed size:
small
Maturity:
medium/early
Flower colour:
blue
Seed colour:
brown
Breeder:
JTSD
Selection:
JTSD in UK
MARMALADE
A
yellow seeded, high palatability, specialist food market variety added to the
UK National List in 2003.
Seed yield:
moderate
Oil content:
medium
Height:
medium
Stem strength:
stiff
Seed size:
small
Maturity:
medium/early
Flower colour:
blue
Seed colour:
lemon yellow
Breeder:
Agriculture &
Agri-Food, Canada
Selection:
JTSD in UK
METEOR
A
very high ALA variety added to the UK National List in 2007.
Seed yield:
high
(103% on UK Descriptive List)
Oil content:
medium
Height:
medium/short-short
Stem strength:
medium
Seed size:
small
Maturity:
medium/early
Flower colour:
blue
Seed colour:
brown
Breeder:
JTSD
Selection:
JTSD in UK
SUNRISE
A
reliable variety with an excellent combination of good
agronomy, high seed yield, and early maturity. Suitable
for all regions.
Seed yield:
high
(101% on UK Descriptive List)
Oil content:
medium/high
Height:
medium
Stem strength:
stiff
Seed size:
small
Maturity:
very early
(2nd earliest on UK Descriptive List)
Flower colour:
blue
Seed colour:
brown
Breeder:
University of Saskatchewan,
Canada
Selection:
JTSD in UK
TALON
This
variety's low branches form a deep, high yielding capsule
canopy. It has good frost resistance for early drilling and performs
well in a wide range of conditions.
The
first and only low ALA ('edible') winter linseed. It is in 2nd
year National List trials 2007/08. Also suitable for
sowing in the spring (DL trials 2008)
A
short, stiff 00 variety which holds exceptionally
well in
prolonged and wet harvest conditions. Recommended for high fertility or high input sites.
Seed yield:
high, particularly in good growing conditions
Oil content:
medium/high
Height:
short
Stem
strength:
very
stiff
Seed size:
medium/large
Maturity:
medium/early
Breeder:
University of
Guelph, Canada
Selection:
JTSD in UK
GRIFFIN
A
vigorous 00 variety with a valuable combination of very early
maturity and high seed yield. Suitable for a wide range of conditions
and locations.
Seed yield:
high
Oil content:
medium/high
Height:
medium
Stem
strength:
medium
Seed size:
medium/small
Maturity:
very early
Breeder:
University of
Guelph, Canada
Selection:
JTSD in UK
EXSC05-128
This vigorous 00 variety
is in 2nd year National List trials 2008.
Seed yield:
high
Oil content:
medium
Height:
medium/tall-tall
Stem
strength:
medium/stiff
with heavy, leaning canopy
Seed size:
medium/large
Maturity:
medium/late
Breeder:
University of
Guelph, Canada
Selection:
JTSD in UK
EXSC05-136
This
consistent 00 variety is in 1st year National List trials
2008.
Following
consistently high yields in private trials in the UK and mainland
Europe, GR940-38 was entered into 1st
year UK National List trials 2007/08.
Seed yield:
high
Oil content:
medium
Height:
medium/short
Stem strength:
stiff
Seed
size:
large
Maturity:
medium/early
Breeder:
University of
Guelph for Parsons Seeds Ltd
Selection:
JTSD in UK
GR940-104
Following
consistently good private trial yields in the UK and mainland
Europe, GR940-104 produced a seed yield of 103% in 1st
year UK National List trials and is in 2nd year National
List trials 2007/08.
Seed yield:
high
Oil content:
medium/low
Height:
medium
Stem strength:
stiff
Seed
size:
medium
Maturity:
medium
Breeder:
University of
Guelph for Parsons Seeds Ltd
Selection:
JTSD in UK
GR940-352
Following
encouraging private trial results in the UK and mainland
Europe, GR940-352 was entered into 1st
year UK National List trials 2007/08.
Seed yield:
high
Oil content:
medium/high
Height:
medium/short
Stem strength:
stiff
Seed
size:
medium/large
Maturity:
medium
Breeder:
University of
Guelph for Parsons Seeds Ltd
Selection:
JTSD in UK
Note on yields
References to
linseed and oilseed rape yields
reflect official and reliable JTSD monitored
small plot trials and commercial experience.
JTSD
UK Marketing Rights
John
Turner Seed Developments have the
UK marketing rights for the
following varieties of
buckwheat, naked oat, red clover, soya bean, and vetch:
Probably
the most suitable and highest yielding variety available for
UK conditions. In a NIAB Vartest trial alongside the 2006
National List trial at Cambridge, MERLIN gave over 112%. In
comparison, the highest yielding variety in the adjoining
National List trial was ELENA at 100%. MERLIN was also earlier maturing.
Please
contact John Turner if your firm would like to propose a marketing
plan for a JTSD variety in your country and/or obtain seed for
trials, and for technical advice on the varieties.
JTSD
often require diligent growers for multiplying high grades of
linseed and oilseed rape. Seed growing contracts can also be
arranged by John Turner with the UK companies that market JTSD
varieties. Premium terms are available on all seed growing
contracts.