Abstract ‘CP 13‐4513’ (Reg. no. CV‐221, PI 705649) sugarcane, developed through cooperative research conducted by the USDA‐ARS, the University of Florida, and the Florida Sugar Cane League, Inc., was released to growers for mineral soils in Florida in June 2021. The expansion potential of sugarcane acreage on mineral soils in Florida increases the importance of new cultivar development for this soil type. CP 13‐4513 offers a good disease package with its resistance to leaf scald (caused by Xanthomonas albilineans Ashby, Dowson), orange rust (caused by Puccinia kuehnii E.J. Butler), ratoon stunt disease (caused by Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli Evtushenko et al.), Sugarcane mosaic virus (strain E), and moderate resistance to smut [caused by Sporisorium scitamineum (Syd.) M. Piepenbring et al.]. CP 13‐4513 is susceptible to brown rust (caused by Puccinia melanocephala H. & P. Sydow), but this disease can be efficiently controlled with fungicides. The 3‐year sandy‐soil production summary (i.e., plant cane, first ratoon, and second ratoon) demonstrated commercially recoverable sucrose (CRS), cane yields, and sugar yields comparable to the commercial sand check ‘CL 88‐4730’. Compared to the other reference check, ‘CP 96‐1252’, CP 13‐4513 produced more CRS and less cane yield. The economic index of CP 13‐4513 was not significantly different from that of CL 88‐4730 or CP 96‐1252. CP 13‐4513 displayed excellent germination on sand, and greater cane height, tillering capability, and canopy shading than ‘CL 88‐4730’ in plant cane. CP 13‐4513 exhibits heavy flowering that starts in early December.

Abstract ‘CP 12–2035′ (Reg. No. CV‐223, PI 706731) sugarcane cultivar (a complex hybrid of Saccharum spp.) was released to growers in July 2024 for cultivating on sand soils in Florida after a decade‐long advancement through cooperative research conducted by the USDA ARS, the Florida Sugarcane League Inc., and the University of Florida. It originated from a poly‐cross made at Canal Point (CP). The Florida Sugarcane Variety Committee recommended release of CP 12–2035 due to its high sugar yields (20.90 Mg ha −1 ), commercial recoverable sucrose content (133.4 kg Mg −1 ) on sand soils, and acceptable disease resistance. CP 12‐2035 has demonstrated resistance to brown rust, orange rust, and moderate resistance to mosaic, ratoon stunt, and smut, moderate susceptibility to leaf scald. In late‐stage yield trials, the sugar yields of CP 12—2035 were 23.4, 31.4, and 42.9% higher than those of the check varieties ‘CP 03‐1912′, ‘CP 96‐1252′, and ‘CPCL 97‐2730′, respectively. CP 12—2035 also produced heavier stalks than all three tested reference checks. It was more tolerant to freeze stress over reference cultivars. With its demonstrated resistance to disease and elevated sugar production, CP 12—2035 is expected to positively influence both sugarcane production and crop sustainability in Florida.

Abstract Brewers are seeking new public hop ( Humulus lupulus L.) cultivars that exhibit desirable tropical and stone‐fruit aroma profiles for use in hop‐forward beer styles. ‘USDA‐ARS Vera’ (Reg. no. CV‐31, PI 707888) is a new hop developed in collaboration between USDA‐ARS and Washington State University and released by USDA‐ARS in 2025. USDA‐ARS Vera resulted from a cross made between Brewer's Gold and a powdery mildew‐resistant male hop of Wild American descent, USDA 64103M, in 2011. USDA‐ARS Vera was tested under the experimental name W1108‐333 and later HRC003. The cultivar is low in alpha acids (3.79%–5.44%) and is mid‐to‐late maturing (median harvest date September 20 in Washington and Idaho), with on‐farm yields between 1723 and 3049 kg ha −1 when mature (≥2 years). The aroma of USDA‐ARS Vera is described as tropical, stone fruit, and citrus, and the descriptors are consistent from dry rub to the final beer. The cultivar possesses resistance to the predominant races of the causal pathogen of hop powdery mildew present in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and moderate susceptibility to hop downy mildew. This release provides brewers and growers with a new, fruit‐forward aroma hop with powdery mildew resistance that is freely available to the public and absent of intellectual property restrictions.

Abstract Farmer seed purchase patterns historically drive end‐use quality into a subordinate position to yield enhancement and protection in hard red winter (HRW) wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) breeding programs. Evolving consumer food purchase decisions could conceivably swing this priority pendulum back near the center. ‘Paradox’ (Reg. no. CV‐1223; PI 705146), ‘Breadbox’ (Reg. no. CV‐1221; PI 705144), and ‘Firebox’ (Reg. no. CV‐1222; PI 705145) HRW wheat cultivars were developed with magnified dough strength as the first breeding priority and released in 2023. Our objectives herein were to document their novel rheology relative to contemporary HRW wheat, determine correlated changes in agronomic performance, and assess Paradox's potential as a strengthening component in bread flour blends. Marker‐assisted backcrossing with Glu‐B1al as the molecular target was conducted through the BC 2 F 2 generation, from which experimental lines OK15MASBx7 ARS 8–29 (Paradox), OK15MASBx7 ARS 8–20 (Breadbox), and OK15DMASBx7 ARS 6–8 (Firebox) were derived via conventional inbreeding or doubled haploidization. Relative to the HRW controls, Paradox and Breadbox produced a sevenfold greater peak time and fourfold greater stability time, whereas changes in Firebox were more moderate but still superior to the HRW controls. None of the cultivars was diminished for agronomic or milling characteristics, and their novel dough strength was unrelated to grain protein concentration. All three cultivars have entered non‐commoditized supply chains as ingredient flour intended for products requiring more gluten strength, including many formulations for pan bread.

Abstract Castor ( Ricinus communis L.) cultivars are needed with specific adaptation to environmental conditions in Durango and other states of the semi‐arid highlands of México. The objective was to develop a castor cultivar adapted to irrigation conditions and favorable rainfall (>500 mm of accumulated rain), to produce high‐quality grain and valuable castor‐oil for the industry. The cultivar ‘SAB 14’ (SB‐1 m‐2 m‐3 m‐4u) was generated by mass selection from the heterogeneous population collected in Santiago Bayacora, Dgo. SAB 14 showed yields ranging from 2.1 to 2.9 t ha −1 and an average oil content of 48%. In Durango 2020, SAB 14, compared to a commercial hybrid (378 cm), showed lower plant height (357 cm) and number of days to flowering (79 vs 90), longer primary raceme length (62 cm vs 38 cm), higher yield (2906 kg ha −1 vs 1312 kg ha −1 ), and higher 100‐seed weight (46.2 g vs 44.1 g). SAB 14 is recommended mainly for irrigated areas of the Valle del Guadiana region in Durango, although it also showed adaptation in Aguascalientes. This castor cultivar represents an option for productive reconversion and reducing seed imports and cost. SAB 14 is currently used in Durango and other states for establishing demonstration plots to evaluate its adaptability, adoption possibilities, and potential to increase the yield and quality of grain, oil, protein cake, and biofuel.

Abstract USDA‐ARS‐GN5002 is a conventional F 4 ‐derived late‐maturity group (MG) V soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (Reg. no. GP‐546, PI 708598) germplasm with elevated seed oil content and competitive seed yield. This germplasm was jointly released by USDA‐ARS and the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service in 2025. USDA‐ARS‐GN5002, experimental name N17‐2520, was derived from a cross between R09‐4095 and ‘NC‐Miller’ (PI665018). It was tested in 22 and 44 environments under the MG V United Soybean Board Protein Diversity Test (PDT) and USDA Southern Uniform Test (UT), respectively, from 2019 to 2022. The seed yield of USDA‐ARS‐GN5002 (4062 kg ha −1 in the PDT, and 3706 kg ha −1 in the UT) was statistically similar to the check means in both the PDT (3766 kg ha −1 ) and UT (3840 kg ha −1 ). Similarly, seed protein content of USDA‐ARS‐GN5002 (408 g kg −1 in the PDT and 397 g kg −1 in the UT) on a dry weight basis was statistically similar to the check means in the PDT (411 g kg −1 ) and UT (393 g kg −1 ). However, the seed oil content of USDA‐ARS‐GN5002 (228 g kg −1 in the PDT and 238 g kg −1 in the UT) on a dry weight basis was significantly ( p < .05) higher than the check means in the PDT (216 g kg −1 ) and UT (221 g kg −1 ). USDA‐ARS‐GN5002 is also resistant to stem canker. With an elevated seed oil content that does not compromise seed yield or protein content, USDA‐ARS‐GN5002 is a promising addition to the limited MG V genetic stocks for the U.S. Southeastern Region.

Abstract Oat ( Avena sativa L.)–based food products are of interest to U.S. consumers for the health benefits associated with their consumption. The United States is home to the largest oat milling industry in the world, with a majority of its oat milling operations located in the Northern Great Plains. Although most of the oats used domestically are imported, the increasing demand for oats presents a potential market for oat producers in the region and the opportunity to diversify crop rotations to improve soil health. However, higher‐yielding oat cultivars adapted to the Northern Great Plains are needed to increase the economic return for oat producers. ‘SD Buffalo’ (Reg. No. CV‐391; PI 701925) oat is a spring oat cultivar developed by South Dakota State University and selected for its excellent yield potential in the Northern Great Plains, good level of resistance to crown rust (caused by Puccinia coronata Corda f. sp. avenae Eriks.) at the time of release, and satisfactory quality for milling. SD Buffalo was released by the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in 2021 as a replacement for the cultivar ‘Hayden’. Its release has the potential to further enhance oat production in the region and increase economic return for oat producers.

In the Abstract and Core Ideas sections, the latitudinal range of the selection sites was incorrectly reported as 28 degrees (3100 km).The correct range, as indicated in Table 1, was 25 degrees (2800 km).We apologize for this error.

Abstract‘Scab Stryker’ (Reg. no. PI 706594, PI CV‐1216) hard red winter (HRW) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed and released by the Oklahoma State University wheat improvement program in 2024. With the experimental designation OK16103083, Scab Stryker was selected from the backcross ‘Garrison’*3/WesleyFhb1‐106. Our objectives herein are to demonstrate its high level of Fusarium head blight (FHB; caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe) resistance in HRW wheat in artificially inoculated environments and identify strengths and weaknesses relevant to US Great Plains wheat use. Before release, Scab Stryker was intermittently tested in Oklahoma yield trials for 4 years during the period 2018–2023. It was evaluated during 2020–2023 in Manhattan, KS, in the hard winter wheat FHB nursery of the US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative. Scab Stryker is intermediate among contemporary HRW cultivars for grain yield and volume weight but has an exceptionally high level of FHB resistance. Scab Stryker is the only HRW cultivar currently deployed for Oklahoma and surrounding areas harboring the resistance gene Fhb1. Scab Stryker has other positive characteristics including a high inclination to circumvent late‐winter freeze events, resistance to leaf spotting diseases, high tolerance to acidic soils, and an acceptable wheat protein level. Potential weaknesses of Scab Stryker include susceptibility to Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor Say), leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks.), and stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Eriks.), and a bread baking quality profile that may underdeliver for some industry expectations, particularly mixing time.