Barley
Spelt
ELWHA RIVERWINTER SPELT
Elwha River is a hulless winter spelt bred for dryland organic conditions. Elwha River winter spelt is named after Washington State's Elwha River that flows from the Olympic Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Elwha River winter spelt was released as an Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI)-pledged variety in 2014, the year the two dams on the Elwha River were removed. The breeding project for this variety began in 2002 with the initial Red Winter Spelt X Buchanan cross. The Buchanan parental line provided the hulless trait. Selection was focused on the ‘naked’ (hulless) trait and backcrossing to Red Winter Spelt was conducted. The populations and subsequent head rows were always planted out at WSU’s organic farmland. 2018 Western WA grower notes: Planted: Late October Harvested: Late August Yield: About 50 bu ac Farmer field notes: Dark green vigorous growth, great winter performance, no lodging, no soil amendments added (low input organic conditions), dryland (non-irrigated) Availability: Seed is not commercially available. For small amounts of seed, please email kmurphy2@wsu.edu |