A hybrid rye variety more productive than its predecessors, with improved disease resistance and a stronger stem. The Pollenplus™ trait reduces ergot in harvest. An excellent milling rye with a high falling number. Tested and proved excellent in northern conditions.
KWS Jethro has a high yield potential. It has out‑yielded its predecessors in both Danish trials and Finland’s official variety trials (2013–2020). Its good yield is based on the strong vigor typical of hybrid varieties. KWS’s latest hybrids benefit from full heterosis, because population varieties are no longer added thanks to the Pollenplus™ gene that increases pollen production.
KWS Jethro is an excellent milling rye. Its hectoliter weight, thousand seed weight, and falling number are all high.
According to both the Finnish official trials and Boreal’s own winter hardiness tests — including northern sites — KWS Jethro has good winter hardiness.
KWS Jethro has a medium‑length stem with good lodging resistance. As typical for hybrids, it tillers abundantly. Overly dense stands increase lodging risk, so proper sowing rate and lodging control are important.
KWS Jethro has improved disease resistance compared to older varieties. It has:
As a Pollenplus™ variety, KWS Jethro produces more pollen than standard hybrids, helping reduce ergot infections. Because hybrids tiller strongly in autumn, snow mould control is recommended for dense stands.
KWS Jethro is best suited to southern Finland, on:
Recommended sowing rate
Sowing in August:
Avoid trampling the stand, as it increases ergot risk. Spray tracks are recommended.
Seed renewal
Hybrid seed must be renewed yearly; farm saved seed cannot be used as seed.
KWS Jethro is a hybrid variety bred by KWS Lochow GMBH (Germany). Breeding rights in Finland are owned by Boreal Plant Breeding Ltd.
Source: Official variety trials 2017–2024, px.luke.fi
Official variety trials 2017 – 2024, px.luke.fi, (M) = Standard variety
Plant Breeder
Rye
