Maris Wigeon

Maris Widgeon is an heritage variety of wheat that has traditionally been used for thatching in the UK. This variety was developed in 1964 by the Plant Breeding Institute in Cambridgeshire. The 'Maris' in the name, was derived from Maris Lane, the address of PBI headquarters in Trumpington, Cambridge.[1]

Uses

It produces a tall, strong stemmed straw without the use of artificial fertilisers, which makes it popular with thatchers[2] and straw craftsmen.[3] It is also popular with artisan bread bakers and specialist organic millers.[4]

Problems in production

There are no wheat varieties, suitable for thatching, on the current NIAB seed list. Until recently (2008/9) the only commercial seed distributor for Maris Widgeon, was Pickards Seeds, of Burrington, Devon. Maris Widgeon is one of the few varieties on the National List of Permitted Varieties - (EU legislation policed by DEFRA). Other traditional varieties have become unlisted which means that they cannot be bought, sold or even given away.[5] For this reason new straw growers have no option but to grow Maris Widgeon from kept seed.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Bread-making quality of wheat: a century of breeding in Europe By Bob Belderok, J. Mesdag, Dingena A. Donner
  2. ↑ "Days are numbered for Widgeon variety". Farmersguardian.com. 2008-08-29. Retrieved 2014-01-19.
  3. ↑ "Thatching Specifications". The East Anglia Master Thatcher’s Association. June 2009. Retrieved 2014-01-19.
  4. ↑ Low, Susan (9 November 2003). "Living Review Food & Drink: Just What We Knead". The Independent on Sunday. Archived from the original on 19 January 2014.
  5. ↑ "Certification, marketing, packaging and labelling of cereal seed". Businesslink.gov.uk. Retrieved 2014-01-19.
  6. ↑ "Growing Thatching Straw in Wales". Glaus.org.uk. 11 February 2006. Retrieved 2014-01-19.

External links