ABSTRACT
In 1968 export shipments of high grade Canadian hard red spring wheat to Japan showed elevated levels of alpha-amylase activity. This indicated a potential problem in commercial markets requiring sound, high quality grain and lead to pre-harvest sprouting resistance being incorporated into the breeding program at Winnipeg. Between 1970 and 1975, wheats from many different sources were tested and evaluated on the basis of sprouting in the ear but only a small number showed promise. Between 1970 and 1975, wheats from many different sources were tested and evaluated on the basis of sprouting in the ear but only a small number showed promise. Allelic differences at the red seed colour loci may be responsible for the variation in sprouting resistance of cultivars with equal numbers of genes. Breeding and selection for pre-harvest sprouting resistance is an on-going program and the release of Columbus has received a positive response both from the producer and industry.
