Wheat Research Reports Delivered at Prairie Grains Conference

A  number of wheat research reports were given at the Prairie Grains conference held in Grand Forks in December.  The results of the research, supported in part by the Minnesota Wheat Council wheat checkoff, are summarized here. More in-depth reports on each of the projects can be found online at www.smallgrains.org.

Wheat Disease Forecasting
Dr. Charla Hollingsworth, plant pathologist with the University of Minnesota, has been evaluating the performance of the updated wheat disease forecasting model on the internet.

Deployed in 2004, the FHB Epidemic Risk Forecasting System uses weather observations from the National Weather Service, Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the North Dakota Ag Weather Network. The system provides disease risk predictions based on air temperature, dew point and rainfall. A 10% FHB index – (FHB severity x incidence)/100 – is considered an epidemic.

Hollingsworth’s research focused on determining the system’s accuracy in Minnesota. In research conducted from 2004 to 2007 the system forecasted non-epidemics with 94% accuracy and epidemics with 66% accuracy.  Over four years, the system was 80% accurate.

Future enhancements to the system will include: listing resistance levels of varieties on the home page; 21-day pre-flowering weather based predictions; 24-48 hour weather/FHB forecasting; and including a newly developed model for barley.

You can learn more about the FHB Epidemic Risk Forecasting System and the results of this research online at http://mawg.cropdisease.com.

Selecting Wheat Varieties for 2008
Jim Anderson, U of M spring wheat breeder, reviewed the variety trial results for spring wheat in Minnesota and discussed new varieties in the pipeline.

Based on performance results, Anderson laid out top picks for 2008:

Variety	Pluses	Minuses
RB07	Yield, Protein
Faller	Yield!	Protein, Straw Strength?
Howard	Balanced
Glenn	FHB, Quality	Yield, Threshability
Freyr	FHB	Straw Strength
Steele-ND	Balanced	Straw Strength
Granger	Yield	Straw Strength
Briggs	Balanced	Straw Strength
Knudson	Yield	Protein

Honorable Mentions included:

• Ada – consider as replacement for Oklee
• Banton – average yields, no weaknesses?
• Bigg Red – best for FHB, worst for leaf rust
• Hat Trick – good FHB
• Kelby – improved 2007 yields
• Traverse – very high yield, BUT low quality
• Ulen – good performer in south

Full variety trial reports for 2007 were published in the November-December 2007 issue of Prairie Grains magazine and are also available online at www.maes.umn.edu/08varietaltrials.

Winter Wheat Variety Selection
Dr. Jochum Wiersma, small grains specialist with the University of Minnesota, reviewed the performance of a number of winter wheat varieties in Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota.

Wiersma says variety selection for winter wheat is simple: Focus on winter hardiness and straw strength. While Wiersma reviewed a number of winter wheat varieties, top picks for 2008 include Jerry; Millennium and Arapahoe (for southern Minnesota); and CDC Falcon (if worried about lodging).

To review the agronomic characteristics, disease response, and performance of all the varieties tested, download a copy of Wiersma’s presentation at: www.smallgrains.org/07Conf/Wiersmawwvar.pdf.

On-Farm Disease Management Trial Results
Dr. Charla Hollingsworth, plant pathologist with the University of Minnesota, reported the results of the 2007 on-farm disease management trials.  The objective of the research was to identify hard red spring wheat varieties and fungicide-based disease management strategies that promote profitable wheat production.

Two locations, Oklee and Fergus Falls, Minnesota, were included in the study. Six fungicide strategies were tested on 13 varieties.

Varieties responded well to this year’s growing environment, producing excellent yields of high quality grain.  However, fungicide application increased net returns compared with the no fungicide treatment for many varieties even during a year of relatively low disease pressure. Overall, those producers with the highest net returns during 2007 grew moderately susceptible varieties to FHB, but those who slept the best during the growing season grew varieties with more FHB resistance.

Disease management research results help producers determine which varieties and disease management strategies have the greatest potential for profitability in the Red River Valley.

To view specific varieties and management strategies that were tested, and the full results of the research, download: www.smallgrains .org/2007MWCResearchReport.pdf.

Predicting In-Season Nitrogen Needs in Spring Wheat
Dr. Albert Sims, soil scientist at the University of Minnesota, has conducted research to determine if NTech’s Greenseeker technology could be used as a tool to more accurately predict in-season spring wheat nitrogen needs for yield and protein.  He says growers are always striving to improve nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency to increase their “bang for the buck,” and to decrease the threat of excessive N to the environment.

The objectives of the research were to determine if light reflectance from the wheat canopy at one or more vegetative growth stages could be used to predict grain yield and protein; and if so, which growth stages would be best for obtaining maximum accuracy. Previous data suggested that the best potential for using the Greenseeker is at or around flag leaf to boot, which corresponds closely to when growers apply fungicide to control Fusarium Head Blight.  The Greenseeker could then potentially be mounted on the sprayer unit to take readings during the spraying operation.

Sim’s research, however, did not validate the use of the Greenseeker as a viable tool to increase N use efficiency in northwestern Minnesota or eastern North Dakota.  He indicated that the response may be too variety and condition specific.  Perhaps a larger database may increase the definition of these relationships, but he did not believe it warrants a specific research investment at this time. 

Sims’ full research report can be downloaded at: www.smallgrains.org/2007MWCResearchReport.pdf.

Crop Rotation Economics
Bill Craig, U of M regional extension educator in agricultural business management, reported on research into wheat rotation economics.  The objective of the research was to determine whether enterprise financial data could be linked to rotation history to evaluate crop rotation economics.

Data was collected through the Northland College Farm Business Management Program, and preliminary results indicate a positive response from rotating wheat to either dry beans or sugarbeets in comparison to following soybean, sunflower or wheat. And the differences aren’t just a function of higher yields, but differences in input costs.

A full copy of the research report can be downloaded at: www.smallgrains.org/2007MWCResearchReport.pdf ; and a copy of Craig’s presentation is available at: www.smallgrains.org/07Conf/Craigwheat.pdf.