The AHDB has revised its Yellow Rust Watch List for this season.
It is using what it claims is an improved method to produce the watch list. The list groups varieties based on their alignment between their rating and disease levels seen at the three worst-performing trial sites for yellow rust (one-year data set). The method then calculates worst-case-scenario virtual disease ratings at these sites (not published), which are then used to order the watch lists.
It hopes this new list will help growers improve in-season management over ratings based on yellow rust levels/resistance on adult plants (after growth stage 55) in trials. The closer the worst-case-scenario rating aligns with the current RL disease rating, the higher the variety ranks on the watch list (and vice versa).
Watch list category descriptions are:
Highest alignment (H)
Varieties in this group showed a relatively close alignment between the RL disease resistance rating and the worst-case-scenario rating. Varieties in this group performed most consistently across sites.
Medium alignment (M)
Varieties in this group showed weaker alignment between the RL disease resistance rating and the worst-case-scenario rating. Monitor these varieties regularly.
Lowest alignment (L)
Varieties in this group showed a relatively poor alignment between the RL disease resistance rating and the worst-case-scenario rating. The variety at the bottom showed the lowest alignment. Monitor these varieties frequently.
Yellow Rust Watch List (RL 2026/27)
| Watch list category | Variety (RL 2026/27) | Yellow rust disease resistance rating (RL 2026/27) |
| Highest alignment | KWS Vibe | 8 |
| Highest alignment | RGT Illustrious | 8 |
| Highest alignment | KWS Arnie | 7 |
| Highest alignment | RGT Guardsman | 7 |
| Highest alignment | KWS Aintree | 3 |
| Highest alignment | KWS Fowlmere | 5 |
| Highest alignment | LG Defiance | 8 |
| Highest alignment | KWS Scope | 4 |
| Highest alignment | LG Redwald | 6 |
| Highest alignment | SY Insitor | 4 |
| Highest alignment | KWS Flute | 7 |
| Highest alignment | KWS Grebe | 6 |
| Highest alignment | Arlington | 7 |
| Highest alignment | KWS Extase | 7 |
| Highest alignment | KWS Palladium | 6 |
| Highest alignment | Graham | 8 |
| Highest alignment | LG Typhoon | 5 |
| Highest alignment | KWS Equipe | 7 |
| Highest alignment | SY Cheer | 6 |
| Highest alignment | RGT Goldfinch | 9 |
| Highest alignment | KWS Zyatt | 3 |
| Highest alignment | Mayflower | 4 |
| Highest alignment | Bamford | 6 |
| Highest alignment | LG Beowulf | 4 |
| Highest alignment | Sparkler | 7 |
| Highest alignment | KWS Dawsum | 5 |
| Highest alignment | LG Challenger | 7 |
| Medium alignment | KWS Solitaire | 6 |
| Medium alignment | Champion | 4 |
| Medium alignment | Blackstone | 5 |
| Medium alignment | Crusoe | 7 |
| Medium alignment | Skyfall | 3 |
| Lowest alignment | KWS Zealum | 8 |
| Lowest alignment | LG Shergar | 6 |
| Lowest alignment | RGT Hexton | 8 |
