Spring Wheat Selection Factors

Yield, protein, lodging, shattering, leaf rust, scab/DON, maturity, test weight, falling number, preharvest sprouting, response to fungicide – all of these are key factors to consider in selecting a hard red spring wheat variety.

Here are a few different looks at some of the more common HRSW varieties grown in the Northern Plains, from University of Minnesota spring wheat breeder Jim Anderson. It should be noted that these are results of data from evaluation in Minnesota growing environments.

Anderson notes that his ‘Best Bets’ are selections which should perform well in these environments, but certainly do not preclude other HRSW varieties from being grown successfully in these regions.

Online sources for further HRSW analysis, evaluation, and comparisons:

• www.maes.umn.edu/06VarietalTrials/index.asp
• www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/variety/hrsw.htm
• plantsci.sdstate.edu/varietytrials/vartrial.html
• www.prairiegrains.com (Nov/Dec 05)

Best Bets Northern Valley - (North of HIghway 2)

Name	Pluses	Minuses
Freyr (2004 AgriPro)	Scab	Straw strength
Glenn (2005 NDSU)	Scab, Leaf rust R, Protein, Test Weight	Yield
Granger (2004 SDSU)	Yield	Straw strength
Knudson (2001 AgriPro)	Yield, Leaf rust R	Protein
Oklee (2003 U of MN)	Protein, Test weight	Straw strength

Best Bets Southern Valley - (South of Highway 2)

Name	Pluses	Minuses
Briggs (2003 SDSU)	Leaf Rust R	Straw strength
Freyr (2004 AgriPro)	Scab	Straw strength
Granger (2004 SDSU)	Yield	Straw strength
Knudson (2001 AgriPro)	Yield, Leaf rust R	Protein
Steele-ND (2004 NDSU)	Protein, Test weight	Straw strength
Oklee (2003 U of MN)	Protein, Test weight	Straw strength
Ulen (2003 U of MN)	Yield, Protein	Straw strength, Scab