A golden cereal for resilient farming systems
Explore the agronomic profile of Tritordeum: adaptation, sowing, crop management, harvesting, yield potential and grain characteristics.
Agronomic references
From Mediterranean breeding to the field
Tritordeum is a non-GMO cereal developed through conventional breeding between durum wheat and the wild barley Hordeum chilense. It has been selected as an alternative cereal crop for Mediterranean and temperate farming systems where resilience, quality and value-chain differentiation matter.
The crop is suitable for both conventional and organic production models, with agronomic management adapted to the local environment, soil type, water availability, processor requirements and final commercial destination.
A cereal with field resilience and processor value
Tritordeum combines field performance, a distinctive golden grain identity and multiple professional processing routes.
Durum wheat × wild barley
Tritordeum combines durum-wheat crop and grain characteristics with traits introduced through Hordeum chilense, giving the crop its distinctive golden identity.
Triticum durum × Hordeum chilense
= × Tritordeum
Golden ears
Distinctive golden spikes support a strong visual crop identity in the field.
Processor grain
Grain is intended for milling, malting, bakery, pasta, ingredients and feed routes.
Alternative cereal
The crop can fit into different cereal systems, including Mediterranean-type rotations.
Value chain
Its value is strongest when production is linked to processor demand and traceable lots.
Soils, climate and Mediterranean cereal systems
Tritordeum was developed and selected for cereal-growing contexts where climatic adaptation, field performance and differentiated grain value are important.
Tritordeum is especially relevant in cereal systems facing dry springs and terminal heat during grain filling.
Soil adaptation
Tritordeum performs best in well-drained soils. Neutral to slightly alkaline pH and loamy to clayey structures can support good crop development.
Calcareous soils common in Mediterranean cereal areas, often suitable when drainage and structure are adequate.
Deep clay soils with seasonal wet-dry cycles and high fertility potential, requiring careful management.
Mediterranean-type conditions
Tritordeum has been developed for conditions characterised by mild winters, early spring development and possible terminal drought during grain filling.
Córdoba, southern Spain.
Alternative crop without strict vernalisation requirement.
Typical harvest period in June and July, depending on location and maturity.
Sowing and establishment references
General agronomic reference points from the Farming Dossier. Sowing decisions should be adapted to location, variety, soil conditions and expected water availability.
15 Nov.
Winter sowing window
Reference sowing period for autumn establishment under Mediterranean-type production conditions.
days
Time to anthesis
Approximate duration from sowing to flowering under the dossier's reference conditions.
15 Mar.
Spring sowing window
Alternative establishment window where climatic and production conditions permit spring sowing.
July
Typical harvest window
Harvest timing depends on final crop maturity and target grain moisture at field level.
Establishment, nutrition and crop-protection guidance
Agronomic decisions should be adapted to expected yield, soil analysis, water availability, local advisory recommendations and the production system.
Dryland sowing
Indicative sowing density of 125–150 kg/ha under rainfed conditions.
Irrigated sowing
Indicative sowing density of 150–180 kg/ha under irrigated production.
Row spacing
Reference row spacing of 15–20 cm for regular establishment.
Sowing depth
Reference sowing depth of 3–5 cm, depending on soil moisture and seedbed conditions.
Indicative nutrients for a 5 t/ha target
Based on an approximate extraction reference of 30-15-20 nutrient units per tonne of harvest. Final fertilisation must be determined through local soil and crop advice.
Traits observed under evaluated conditions
Disease and stress performance can vary by variety, environment, season and crop management. Continued field monitoring remains essential.
Rust and foliar diseases
Reported field observations indicate strong performance against several important cereal diseases.
Drought, heat and crop protection
Tritordeum was selected for Mediterranean-type environments affected by terminal drought and high-temperature conditions during grain filling.
Phytosanitary products accepted for Tritordeum generally follow the same logic as winter wheat and barley, always subject to local authorisations, label conditions and qualified crop advice.
Phytosanitary products tested on Tritordeum
This section summarises phytosanitary products used or evaluated on Tritordeum. To improve readability, the full technical matrix is transformed into two compact publication-style tables: herbicides and fungicides.
This table is a technical guide and does not replace the official product label, national plant-protection register or local advisory recommendation. Before field application, always check the current authorisation status, crop scope, dose, pre-harvest interval, restrictions and local regulations.
Herbicides
Weed-control products listed from the Tritordeum phytosanitary matrix, with active material, mode of action and main target weeds summarised in a compact format.
Fungicides
Disease-control products listed from the Tritordeum phytosanitary matrix, with active material, FRAC group and main target diseases summarised for technical decision support.
Label first
Product use must always be validated against the current official label and the national plant-protection register before field application.
Field monitoring
Treatment decisions should be based on crop stage, weed or disease pressure, weather risk, expected yield and qualified local agronomic advice.
Rotate MoA groups
HRAC and FRAC groups help support resistance-management decisions by avoiding repeated reliance on the same mode of action.
Protecting grain quality from field to store
Harvest and post-harvest handling are essential because Tritordeum is destined for traceable professional grain lots, not anonymous commodity flows.
Harvest dry
Grain should be harvested at suitable maturity and moisture to reduce storage and quality risks.
Adjust combine settings
Correct settings help reduce broken grain, foreign material and unnecessary losses.
Clean and identify grain
Grain must remain traceable, clean and suitable for the target processing route.
Prepare for reception
Delivered lots are checked, sampled and evaluated before being approved for storage or shipment.
Yield expectations by farming model
Tritordeum can be produced under conventional and organic systems, with yield expectations depending on water availability, fertility, agronomic management and local conditions.
| Production system | Expected range | Best use case | Management focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional rainfed | 3.5–5 t/ha | Mediterranean cereal rotations and premium grain supply. | Stand establishment, fertility and harvest quality. |
| Conventional irrigated | 5–8 t/ha | Higher-yield grain supply for processors. | Nitrogen, lodging risk, grain quality and moisture. |
| Organic rainfed | 1.5–3 t/ha | Differentiated organic cereal supply. | Rotation, weeds, nutrition and traceability. |
| Organic irrigated | 2.5–4 t/ha | Premium organic flour, malt or ingredient supply. | Quality, disease monitoring and contract specifications. |
Harvested for processors, not only for yield
Tritordeum grain is produced with an end-use destination in mind: milling, malting, baking, pasta, ingredients or feed.
Milling
Identity-preserved grain for refined flour, whole flour, bran and specialty ingredients.
Brewing
Golden cereal malt for creative brewing and differentiated flavour profiles.
Pasta & bakery
Applications in pasta, bread, biscuits, flakes and cereal-based products.
Feed routes
Grain and biomass routes where protein, resilience and appetence are relevant.
How the Tritordeum farming model works
The objective is to maintain traceability, quality and value from the first seed to the final grain delivery.
Seed
Controlled Tritordeum seed and variety identity for approved production.
Farm
Contract farming in conventional or organic systems with defined crop protocols.
Monitor
Follow-up of sowing, crop development, fertilisation and crop protection.
Harvest
Grain harvested dry and delivered for reception, sampling and checks.
Lot
Approved grain stored and grouped into homogeneous commercial lots.
Processor
Grain delivered to millers, maltsters, food companies and feed partners.
A proprietary cereal crop with a familiar farming framework
Tritordeum production combines the practical logic of winter cereals with a proprietary crop model managed by Vivagran. This creates a clear framework for farmers and processors.
Declared as crop Nº 14
PAC crop Nº 14Tritordeum can be declared in the PAC system as crop Nº 14 and receives a similar support logic to other cereal crops, depending on farm, region and applicable campaign rules.
Farmers should always confirm the current declaration code and eligibility conditions with their local agricultural advisory service before submission.
Repurchasing price linked to cereal markets
There is no official public quotation for Tritordeum because it is a proprietary crop commercialised through Vivagran. Repurchasing prices are built with reference to comparable commodity markets and agreed value-chain conditions.
Conventional and organic production
Tritordeum can be produced under both conventional and organic systems, with specifications and agronomic guidance adapted to each model.
Phytosanitary programme aligned with winter cereals
Accepted phytosanitary products generally follow the same logic as winter wheat and barley crop protection, subject to local authorisations, labels and end-use requirements.
From harvested grain to approved commercial lot
Grain delivered by farmers is not immediately treated as a final commercial lot. It passes through reception, sampling, stocking and quality verification before customer delivery.
Reception control
Delivered grain is checked to confirm that it is clean, dry, traceable and suitable for stocking or further evaluation.
Sampling and analysis
Representative samples are used to review lot quality before commercial release or delivery to processors.
Storage and lot building
Approved grain is stocked in suitable conditions and grouped into homogeneous lots according to customer needs.
Delivery to processors
Commercial lots are loaded, documented and transported with the required traceability information.
Who can work with Tritordeum grain?
Farming Tritordeum creates the most value when grain production is connected to real demand from millers, maltsters, food companies and farming or feed partners.
Millers
Identity-preserved grain for refined flour, whole flour, bran and specialty cereal ingredients.
Discuss milling supply →Maltsters
Golden cereal grain for micromalting, commercial malting and creative brewing concepts.
Discuss malting projects →Food companies
Grain and ingredients for pasta, bakery, biscuits, flakes and differentiated cereal-based products.
Develop food products →Farmers & feed partners
Conventional and organic production opportunities connected to grain, biomass and feed routes.
Explore production →What farmers and partners should remember
| Stage | What happens | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | Vivagran coordinates genetics, seed supply and production authorisation. | Protects varietal identity and traceability from the beginning. |
| Cultivation | Farmers produce Tritordeum under agreed agronomic and quality protocols. | Aligns field practices with downstream quality requirements. |
| Crop protection | Phytosanitary management follows the logic of winter wheat and barley, subject to local authorisations. | Gives farmers a familiar cereal management framework. |
| Harvest | Grain should be harvested dry, clean and with suitable combine settings. | Reduces losses and protects grain quality. |
| Reception | Grain is inspected, sampled and checked before stocking. | Prevents unsuitable grain from entering the value chain. |
| Storage | Approved grain is stored and grouped into homogeneous commercial lots. | Allows reliable supply to processors. |
| Delivery | Lots are loaded, documented and delivered to processors. | Completes the traceable field-to-product chain. |
| Commercial price | The repurchasing price is linked to comparable cereal commodities, without official Tritordeum quotation. | Reflects its proprietary crop status and contracted value-chain model. |
Discover the Farming Tritordeum dossier
Access the complete Farming Tritordeum dossier for additional information on crop management, sowing, fertilisation, harvest, quality expectations and value-chain opportunities.
Interested in farming Tritordeum?
Contact Vivagran to discuss seed availability, conventional or organic production, commercial specifications, processor demand and value-chain opportunities.
