PERSISTENT VARIETY. Saratov 29 was the most widely grown wheat variety ever, covering around 21 mlln ha in Kazakhstan and Siberia (3 x more than Sonalika, the most widely grown GR variety with 7 mlln ha). Saratov 29 is a high latitude spring wheat, released in 1957. It is still occupying significant area – don’t know how much exactly – but new varieties have now taken over. Became susceptible to rust