Registration of 'Ambassador' wheat

'Ambassador' (Reg. No. CV-1048, PI 656845) soft white winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and released in 2007 via an exclusive licensing agreement through Michigan State University (MSU) Technologies. Ambassador was selected from the cross Pioneer '2737W'/D1148 made in 1994 at MSU. The objective of the cross was to create a high-yielding soft white winter wheat variety adapted to Michigan and the surrounding region with good agronomic performance and acceptable quality. Soft white winter wheat is used in many wheat-related industries and is a large portion of the wheat market in Michigan. Ambassador is an F₇ derived line, with the original experimental number E0028. In addition to the standard yield-test criteria, milling and baking performances were also considered for selection. Ambassador was released because of its excellent grain yield, flour yield, and good winterhardiness. Its primary weaknesses include low test weight and high susceptibility to Fusarium head blight (caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe) and associated deoxynivalenol accumulation. Ambassador is well adapted to Michigan and Ontario, Canada and has also produced high yields throughout the region. The name was chosen because Ambassador's performance excels in both the United States (Michigan) and Canada (Ontario), bringing together whitewheat growers on both sides of the border.