1996 Barley, Wheat and Oat Variety Trials

By D.C. Rasmusson, RH. Busch, D.D. Stuthman, and J.J. Wiersma

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Prairie Grains is the
official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat,
Inc., and the
Minnesota Barley
Growers Association.

Select here to see the tables for the following article.

The following is the preliminary variety trial information for single (1996) and multiple year (1994-1996) comparisons in Minnesota. Average yield data for newer varieties which were only grown for one or two years have been adjusted mathematically to allow valid comparisons. Two-year and especially one-year data are less reliable and should be interpreted with caution. Similarly, averages across multiple environments, whether they are different years and/or locations, provide a better estimate of mean performance. The least significant difference or LSD is a statistical method to determine whether the observed yield differences between two varieties is due to true, genetic differences between the varieties or to interactions with other variables such as the presence of disease and difference in soil fertility. If the yield difference between two varieties equals or exceeds the LSD value, the higher yielding was indeed superior in yield. If the difference was less, the yield difference may have been due to environmental interactions rather than genetic differences, and we are unable to distinguish the better of the two. The 5% unit indicates that with 95% confidence, the observed difference is indeed a true difference in performance. Lowering this confidence level will allow more varieties to be different from each other, but increases the changes that false conclusions are drawn.

BARLEY

While not great, the estimated average barley yield in Minnesota of 64 bushels per acre is significantly above the 50 bushel yields for 1994 and 1995. Most of the barley acres were planted to Stander and Robust. Stander, in its third year of commercial production, moved into first place with 50% of the total acres; Robust was a close second with 42%, followed by Excel with only 4%.

Stander and Excel were well above Robust and Foster in grain yield based on 17 trials conducted over a five-year period (Table 1). The table includes all available Minnesota trial data involving the three Minnesota varieties (Robust, Excel and Stander) and the new North Dakota variety, Foster. Stander and Excel were consistent in being highest in yield at all locations. Foster was nine bushels per acre below Stander on average, but five bushels above Robust.

Stander was the most resistant to lodging and Stander and Foster were highest in percentage plump kernels (Table 2). Excel was reasonably plump in these comparisons, however, it has a tendency to produce thin kernels and because of this it is not on the list of recommended varieties.

Foster has been added, by industry, to the list of approved malting varieties. Some malting quality characteristics of Foster, Morex, Robust and Stander are shown in Table 3. In addition to grain protein percentage, Table 3 also includes malt extract, diastatic power and alpha-amylase. Malt extract is a measure of soluble kernel material or malt yield with higher values indicating better quality. Diastatic power and alpha-amylase both measure enzyme capacity to convert starch to maltase sugar. Diastatic power represents the combined effect of alpha-amylase and beta-amylase. Higher values, close to the values of Morex are preferred. Morex is the industry standard against which other six-rowed varieties are evaluated. Stander and Foster were lowest in protein and highest in percentage plump kernels. Stander was number one in malt extract and was nearly identical to Morex in diastatic power and alpha amylase.

A continuing concern, which has implications for market demand and pricing, is mixing of grain of Robust and Stander. Kernel appearance of the two varieties is similar. However, laboratory chemical tests conclusively show whether a grain sample is Robust, Stander, or a mixture of the two. They require different handling in the malting process so keeping

pure lots is essential. Foster barley has long hairs on the rachilla (a small awn-like structure at the base of the kernel) which makes it easy to distinguish from Robust and Stander which have short hairs on the rachilla.

WHEAT

The 1996 season was just like 1995, different from the norm. Delayed planting, repeated flooding, orange wheat blossom midge, scab, and drought all impacted the wheat crop. Similar to 1995, scab was not present in production statewide, but rather limited to the northern tier counties. Yields in the southern part of the state were record breaking. The average yields of the southern locations (St. Paul, Waseca and Lamberton) was 62 bushels per acre this year. This compares to an average of 57 bushels per acre in 1995 and a three-year average of 52 bushels per acre. No data was collected at the West Central Experiment Station in Morris this year. The northern locations (Crookston, Stephen, and Roseau) averaged 49 bushels per acre in 1996 compared to 43 bushels per acre last year and a three-year average of 39 bushels per acre.

Table 4 presents the average grain yield for the combined locations in the north, south, and the whole state for both 1996 and the three-year averages. The varieties are ranked by maturity, not yield. In this year’s yield trials, Nordic, Verde, and Marshall were among the highest yielding varieties across the southern locations. All varieties yielding more than 59.9 bushels per acre are within the first LSD 5% unit of 9.8 bushels per acre. Statistically meaning that we are unable to conclude that any variety within this group has a higher yield potential.

The three-year average (1994-1996) data shows Oxen, Hamer, Lars and Russ as top yielders. Again, any variety yielding more than 56.6 bushels per acre is within the first LSD unit of 5.1 bushels per acre, indicating that statistically we are unable to distinguish the varieties for their yield potential from one another.

Verde, Hamer, Lars and Oxen were the top producing varieties across the northern locations this year. Although 13 varieties yielded more than 50.7 bushels per acre and are all within the first LSD unit of 8 bushels per acre. Over the three-year average (1994-1996), Lars and Norlander are on top. Similarly to the single year data, 10 varieties yielding more than 45.3 bushels per acre are all within the first LSD unit of 4.5 bushels per acre.

Certainly, grain yield is very important in varietal choices. However, net return per acre in dollars is not simply a function of bushels but also of what management inputs (chemicals, fertilizer, machinery) were needed to realize that yield. Response to diseases, grain quality, and other agronomic characteristics like lodging susceptibility may impact your decision as a function of your ability to manage these risks or limiting factors which could affect your net return per acre.

Varietal characteristics are presented in Table 5. All values are three-year averages (1994-1996) except for scab values which are based on 1995 and 1996 data. The foliar disease rating is based on data from North Dakota State University trials. The foliar disease rating is based on a complex of leaf diseases, including Septoria, tan spot, and bacterial diseases. The rating does not differentiate among these diseases. Therefore, the rating should be used with care and only with consideration for varietal selection in areas where these diseases historically have been a problem or if the previous crop was either wheat or barley.

The varietal response to scab is presented as a severity rating similar to the rating for leaf and stem rust. The resistance to spread in the head is presented in the severity rating and is one of the resistance mechanisms. In addition, a second rating is provided to characterize the ability of a variety to maintain sound, plump kernels despite visual disease symptoms. The ability to maintain sound, plump kernels is a second component to resistance.

Variety selection for 1997 should again be a balance between yield potential, disease responses and quality parameters. Pioneer 2375 still dominates the acreage because of its tolerance to scab but has susceptibility to Septoria and tan spot. In addition, problems with shattering, lodging and poor competition with weeds increase as the variety is grown further north, especially north of US Highway 2.

This year one new private and two new public varieties were released. The University of Minnesota released BacUp, while South Dakota State University released Oxen. Western Plant Breeders released Sharpshooter. Unfortunately, this variety was not included in the state yield trial. AgriPro’s Gunner was included in the yield trial but release was delayed to 1997. Two varieties from the Agriculture Canada’s program were also included in the results. AC Cora was tested for the second year and AC Domain was tested for the first time.

A short description of each of the new entries, including Sharpshooter, is provided below. Except for Gunner, which will be increased for certified seed in 1997, dealers should have enough seed for at least 50,000 acres of each of these new varieties.

Similar to 1995, Norm was used as a scab susceptible check.

1. BacUp is an awned, very early maturing hard red spring wheat from the University of Minnesota with a low to intermediate yield potential. BacUp segregates for plant height and is susceptible to lodging and leaf disease, similar to Sharp but better than 2375. BacUp is both resistant to leaf and stem rust. Insufficient data from NDSU was available to provide a reliable foliar disease rating.

BacUp is resistant to scab both for spread through the head or expressed in the severity rating as well as it’s ability to maintain sound, plump kernels as expressed in the tolerance. BacUp has very high test weight, and very high grain protein percentage, as much as 2.0 percentage points higher than Grandin. The milling and baking quality are excellent, similar to Grandin. BacUp is a specialty use wheat. Do not plant BacUp on more than 15 to 20% of your acreage. Use the high quality of BacUp to improve quality of other wheat through blending.

2. Oxen is an awned, medium early hard red spring wheat from South Dakota State University with a high yield potential and a wide area of adaptation. Oxen is a semi-dwarf wheat with short to intermediate plant height and intermediate to low resistance to lodging, similar to Kulm but better than Sharp. Oxen is moderately resistant to both leaf rust and stem rust. Oxen is moderately resistant to scab, similar to Butte 86, but less than 2375. Oxen has a medium test weight, similar to Russ and Verde, and a medium grain protein percentage, similar to 2375 or Hamer. The milling and baking quality are equal to Russ and 2375.

3. Sharpshooter is a new release from Western Plant Breeders derived from a cross of Sharp with a Chinese spring wheat, used as a source of resistance to scab. According to its breeder, Sharpshooter is very similar to Sharp in most agronomic, quality, and disease response characteristics. Sharpshooter differs from Sharp in its response to scab. Under heavy disease pressure, Sharpshooter can out yield Sharp while maintaining better seed quality.

4. Gunner is a late maturing variety from Agri-Pro with an intermediate to high yield potential. Gunner is a tall stature wheat with good resistance to lodging, similar to Marshall. Gunner is moderately susceptible to leaf rust, but resistant to stem rust. Based on limited data, Gunner has good foliar disease resistance, similar to Lars. Gunner is moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to scab, similar to 2375, and maintains test weight and sound kernels as good or close to 2375. Gunner has high grain protein percentage and medium high to high test weight, similar to Grandin. Milling and baking quality are medium to high, similar to Kulm.

OATS

Crown rust (Puccinia sp.) infections in oat continue to plague oat production, especially in the southern half of Minnesota. For all 40 entries of the variety trial, yields in 1996 were highest at Grand Rapids and then Crookston. Planting was delayed at most stations, the early season was cool and wet and latter part of the season was dry. Despite those conditions, yields were generally good as was quality.

Some of the varieties have been in the oat variety tests for only one or two years. The average yields of these varieties have been adjusted mathematically to allow valid comparisons. Two-year and especially one-year data are less reliable and should be interpreted with caution. One cultivar, Gem, has not been included in these tests in previous years. Gem is from Wisconsin and is equal to Jerry and Milton

for maturity. It was high yielding in 1996 trials with very good test weight and good groat percentage. It is average for lodging resistance with good smut and rust resistance and good tolerance to Barley Yellow Dwarf (BYD) virus. Jim, a new Minnesota release, was tested as MN89127 in previous years. It did not match its yield performance of past years at many test sites but continued to be early maturing, have good lodging resistance and exhibited good smut resistance, good tolerance to BYD and had field resistance to rust when the pressure was not heavy. It has high groat percentage but its test weight was reduced at some locations because of rust.

In 1996, Belle and Gem were the two highest yielding cultivars in our tests. We have also included the results from five off-station sites. We appreciate the assistance of our cooperators in making these tests possible.

December 1995