Hilkka ^BOR

Hilkka is a very early variety, slightly earlier than Helmi in Finnish official trials. The earliness advantage becomes more pronounced further north:

• in Zone III, Hilkka is about one week earlier than the control variety Demonstrant.

Despite its earliness, Hilkka is a high‑yielding variety. In Finnish official trials (2019–2020):

• matched yields of other very early varieties such as Helmi and Iisakki
• clearly out‑yielded long‑marketed varieties Wappu, Anniina and Quarna
• highest yields achieved in Zone IV
• equaled the yields of significantly later main‑type varieties (e.g. Demonstrant) in Zones II and IV
• on coarse mineral soils, later variety Jaarli performed better

Hilkka is excellent for milling. Key quality benefits:

• falling number among the best of early varieties
• hectoliter weight at the top of early varieties
• moderately high protein content
• outstanding gluten quality

Hilkka’s gluten is:

• highly extensible
• very resistant to stretching

Dough mixing tolerance is comparable to high‑quality baking varieties such as Quarna, Wanamo and Kreivi.

Hilkka is relatively short‑stemmed and very lodging resistant. Despite shorter straw, it has not shown the typical drought sensitivity of short early varieties.

Disease resistance is average for early wheat. Hilkka is slightly more susceptible to septoria leaf blotch, particularly in:

• direct drilling (no‑till) fields
• residue‑rich fields

Monitoring from tillering onward and using split fungicide treatments is recommended.

Hilkka is suitable for the entire spring wheat region, up to the northernmost growing areas. Recommended for zones I–IV in Finland.

Boreal Plant Breeding Ltd
Line number: BOR 14222
Added to the National List: 2021

Source: Official Variety Trials 2017–2024