Narrative
Hard red winter wheat. NE05548 had higher grain yield than comparable tall winter wheat cultivars (Goodstreak, Pronghorn, and Buckskin). NE05548 is moderately late in maturity which is similar to Overland. NE05548 is a semi-dwarf wheat cultivar and contains the RhtB1b (formerly Rht1,). The mature plant height of NE05548 is 2 cm shorter than Goodstreak, 4 cm shorter than Pronghorn, and 5 cm shorter than Buckskin, the latter being three very popular tall wheat cultivars. NE05548 is the tallest semi-dwarf wheat cultivar released to date by the USDA-University of Nebraska Wheat Improvement Program. NE05548 has moderate straw strength for a taller wheat (7% lodged), which was lower than Goodstreak (10%), and Pronghorn (16%). The winter hardiness of NE05548 is good and comparable to other winter wheat cultivars grown in Nebraska. NE05548 is resistant to Soilborne wheat mosaic virus and to stem rust. In greenhouse seedling tests, it is resistant to races QFCS, QTHJ, MCCF, RCRS, RKQQ, and TMPK, but susceptible to race TTTT. It is moderately susceptible to susceptible for leaf rust and to stripe rust. NE05548 is considered as being moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight and moderately resistant for DON accumulation. NE05548 is moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to Hessian fly. It is susceptible to Barley yellow dwarf virus, and Wheat streak mosaic virus. NE05548 should be acceptable to the milling and baking industries. NE05548 is an awned, ivory-glumed cultivar. After heading, the canopy is moderately closed and erect to inclined. The flag leaf is erect and twisted at the boot stage. The foliage is green with a waxy bloom on the leaf sheath, with little waxy bloom on the spike or leaves. The leaves are glaborous. The spike is tapering, narrow, mid-long, and middense. ernels are red colored, hard textured, and mainly ovate in shape. The kernel has no collar, a medium brush of medium length, rounded cheeks, midsize germ, and a narrow and shallow crease.