Souris
Souris is a white-hulled variety that has a pedigree similar to HiFi, a variety released by NDSU in 2001. Souris consistently has produced high yields and test weights during five years of testing at several sites in North Dakota. It consistently has been among the highest yielding lines evaluated in these trials and is expected to replace Morton, also a 2001 NDSU release and one of the state’s most popular varieties.
Souris typically has a greater groat percentage than HiFi or Morton. Souris matures slightly earlier and is about 4 to 6 inches shorter than HiFi and Morton, respectively. The straw strength of Souris is similar to Morton and stronger than HiFi. The groat oil and beta-glucan content of Souris is less than HiFi but greater than in Morton.
Souris has an, excellent source of resistance to prevalent races of crown rust. This resistance was derived from a different species of oats. This source of crown rust resistance is important as other current varieties' resistance appear to be break down as the races of rust change.
Souris provides North Dakota and regional oats producers with a disease-resistant, high-yielding, white-hulled cultivar with test weights consistently high enough for the premium oats markets, as well as for other uses. Souris will grow well under high moisture and fertility conditions. During several years of evaluation in North Dakota, Souris produced yields 8 percent and 2.3 percent greater than Morton and HiFi, respectively.
Souris is named after the community of Souris, which is located in Bottineau County. The NDSU Research Foundation holds plant variety protection (certificate no. 200800063) on Souris.