U of M Varietal Trials for 1994 Small Grains

Winter 1994
U of M Varietal Trials for 1994 Small Grains: Hard Red Spring Wheat

R.H. Busch and E.A. Oelke

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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.

Scab (Fusarium head blight) was again, as in 1993, a factor in variety evaluations in 1994. Scab was a much greater factor in the northern than in the southern locations in 1994. The average yield for the northern locations (Crookston, Stephen, Roseau) in 1992 was 63 bushels per acre and in 1993 it was 37. The average yield for Crookston and Stephen locations in 1994 was 36 bushels per acre which was similar to the 1993 yield. The southern locations' (St. Paul, Morris, Lamberton, Waseca) average yield was 53 bushels per acre in 1992 compared to 38 in 1993. The average yield for the locations at St. Paul, Morris, and Waseca was 52 bushels per acre which was similar to the 1992 average yield when scab was not as severe as in 1993. The table on yield (Table A) presents the average variety yield in 1994 for the southern and northern locations and statewide average. The 3-year, 1992-94, average yields are also presented and are more reliable than one year averages.
Based on yield in the south, 1994, there were a number of varieties that yielded in the range of 56 to 61 bushels per acre. These were Kulm, Butte 86, Sharp, Norm, and Sonja, and two new varieties from AgriPro, Hamer and Lars. However there were 15 varieties that were not significantly different based on the LSD05 of 10 bushels per acre. In the north, 8 varieties in 1994 yielded from 38 to 44 bushels per acre, which is within the range of the LSD05.

When considering the 3-year average, 1992-94, varieties which yielded in the range from 48 to 53 bushels per acre in the south do not differ, based on the LSD05 of 5 bushels. In the north the varieties which yielded in the range from 46 to 52 bushels per acre range, do not differ based on the LSD05 of 6 bushels per acre. Based on yield, variety choices are not always easy to make when deciding on which ones to plant. Other characteristics, especially during the last 2-3 years, need to be considered when selecting varieties.

Varietal characteristics are presented in Table B. All values are 1992-94 averages except for the scab and milling/baking quality values. The milling/baking quality values are based on 1991-93 years since 1994 values are not available at this time. The scab index values are from 1993-94 while the percent light kernels are average values for 1994 from Crookston and St. Paul inoculated Scab nursery.

The evaluation of hard red spring wheat varieties for susceptibility to scab has received considerable attention during the last 3 to 4 years, however, we are still learning how to best evaluate varieties. Two of the ways we can judge varietal susceptibility is using the scab index rating developed by plant pathologists. The scab index values are from the St. Paul Scab nursery conducted by the Department of Plant Pathology. The scab index gives a combined estimate of the amount of scab and its ability to spread in the head; incidence and severity. Varieties are uniformly inoculated every other day during flowering with a mixture of pathogenic strains of Fusarium fungus and mist irrigated each night during inoculation. The rating developed from this nursery is one way to obtain varietal susceptibility, however outward head appearance does not tell the whole story. Even though the glumes show signs of scab, it does not always mean the kernels are infected, thus another test for scab is to determine the number of light kernels using a given concentration of salt and sugar in water to float the less dense kernels.

When selecting a variety for scab resistance, low values of both the scab index and the percent light kernel values should be used. Sharp and 2375 had low indices and percent light kernels. Other varieties were 2370, Butte 86, Grandin, Kulm, Hamer, and Stoa. In some cases even though the scab index is low, the percent light kernels is high. The percent light kernels can be caused by other diseases and environmental factors in addition to scab.

Variety selection for 1994 could be critical if we experience another year of scab. Obviously 2375 should be one of the choices but shattering and lodging could be a problem with this variety if we have a delayed harvest. Sharp, Butte 86, and Stoa are also choices, although all may lodge. Grandin or Marshall could be a semidwarf choice. Grandin experienced more leaf disease problems in 1994 while Marshall may have some leaf rust. Hamer looks promising but we only have one year's data on this variety. Spreading your risk over 2 or 3 varieties with different maturities should be considered.

Breeding for resistance to scab is difficult, but several lines appear promising. One line had over 61 pounds per bushel test weight under severe scab conditions at Crookston, when 2375 had 57 pounds per bushel. This line also has good bread-making quality, while yield is medium. Quality has been a major problem in lines with Asian sources of scab resistance, so future improvements appear promising.

OATS
by D.D. Stuthman and E.A. Oelke

Crown rust (Puccinia sp.) infections in oat reduced variety yields especially in the southern locations of Rosemount, Waseca, Lamberton and Morris in 1994. The average yield in 1994 of all oat entries (40 lines) over 6 locations (excluding Roseau and Winona) was 85 bushels per acre, while in 1993 it was 70, and in 1992 it was 98. In 1993 the yields were comparably reduced by crown rust. The average three-year yield of the 12 varieties in Table 1 was the highest at Crookston and the second highest at Roseau.

Some of the varieties have only been in the oat variety tests for 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. Three varieties not previously in Minnesota tests include INO 9201, Jerry, and Paul, the latter a hulless variety. INO 9201, from Purdue, is similar to Dane in yielding, test weight, and heading (Table 2). It is susceptible to smut and crown rust, but is more tolerant to red leaf than Dane. It has good lodging resistance.

Jerry is from North Dakota. It is 1.5 days earlier than Milton, has better test than Troy but only slightly better lodging resistance than Troy. Jerry is susceptible to rust and smut but has good tolerance to red leaf. Paul is also from North Dakota and is the best yielding hulless variety yet tested in Minnesota. It is two days later than Troy with intermediate lodging resistance. It has some rust and smut resistance but little tolerance to red leaf.

The two new Minnesota varieties performed about as we expected. Milton continues to yield very well at Morris, Crookston, and Grand Rapids. It is susceptible to red leaf but has good resistance to smut and seems to yield reasonably well in the presence of rust unless the infection is unusually heavy. Pal continues to look good as a special purpose variety for forage establishment and does well when harvested as forages.

Oat variety selection by producers will depend on final end use. If the primary goal is grain production then select a variety that has yielded well in your location but also has good disease resistance. Each producer needs to select varieties based on their particular situation and experience. For example, if a producer has had problems with crown rust then a variety should be selected with an MS or MR rating, similarly with smut. If barley yellow dwarf has been a problem then a variety should be selected with a lower rating for this disease. Varietal yield and characteristics are important when selecting oat varieties.

BARLEY
by D.C. Rasmusson and E.A. Oelke

Based on 1994 acreage figures only four barley varieties were of consequence in Minnesota; Robust was planted on 53%, Stander on 29%, Excel on 12%, and Morex on 2.5% of the acreage. All of them were developed at the University of Minnesota. The strong showing of Stander was encouraging since 1994 was the first year seed has been available to growers.

University experimental plots, like growers' fields, received excessive moisture, especially at the critical heading and grain-filling time resulting in lower percentages of plump kernels, discoloring of grain, and high vomitoxin levels. Even so, yield level was fairly high and sizeable differences in grain yield were observed among varieties.

Performance of barley varieties in 1994 closely followed expectations based on long-term averages (Table 1). Excel and Stander exceeded Robust in grain yield by about 8 bushels per acre when averaged over a seven year period, 1988-94. In 1994, Excel exceeded Robust by 8 bushels and Stander exceeded Robust by 11 bushels (Table 1). Thus the newly released Stander fulfilled expectations of being superior in yield potential to Morex and Robust and equal to Excel.

While Excel produced high grain yield, it was low in plump kernels in some trials. This agrees with grower experience. In some cases, Excel grain is plump enough but in other cases it is too low (Table 2).

Recently released, Stander has important advantages, notably superior resistance to lodging, high percentage of plump kernels and high grain yield (Tables 1 and 2). Stander is somewhat later maturing than Robust. It is discouraging that its malting quality status is undetermined. Malting quality evaluations were not done on the 1993 crop because of the scab (vomitoxin) problem. So an industry decision on acceptability must await malting and brewing of the 1994 barley crop. This will delay a decision on quality status of Stander until summer or fall of 1995.

Royal, a forage companion-crop and feed variety was released in 1994 and seed is available for 1995 production. It is a semi-dwarf, about 8 inches shorter than Robust, with excellent resistance to lodging. Royal has improved forage quality compared to the taller varieties. Grain yield of Royal is similar to Robust (Table 1).

Copyright Prairie
Grains Magazine
Winter 1994

Winter 1994	U of M Varietal Trials for 1994 Small Grains: Hard Red Spring Wheat R.H. Busch and E.A. Oelke

Library Home E-Mail Back 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.	Scab (Fusarium head blight) was again, as in 1993, a factor in variety evaluations in 1994. Scab was a much greater factor in the northern than in the southern locations in 1994. The average yield for the northern locations (Crookston, Stephen, Roseau) in 1992 was 63 bushels per acre and in 1993 it was 37. The average yield for Crookston and Stephen locations in 1994 was 36 bushels per acre which was similar to the 1993 yield. The southern locations' (St. Paul, Morris, Lamberton, Waseca) average yield was 53 bushels per acre in 1992 compared to 38 in 1993. The average yield for the locations at St. Paul, Morris, and Waseca was 52 bushels per acre which was similar to the 1992 average yield when scab was not as severe as in 1993. The table on yield (Table A) presents the average variety yield in 1994 for the southern and northern locations and statewide average. The 3-year, 1992-94, average yields are also presented and are more reliable than one year averages. Based on yield in the south, 1994, there were a number of varieties that yielded in the range of 56 to 61 bushels per acre. These were Kulm, Butte 86, Sharp, Norm, and Sonja, and two new varieties from AgriPro, Hamer and Lars. However there were 15 varieties that were not significantly different based on the LSD05 of 10 bushels per acre. In the north, 8 varieties in 1994 yielded from 38 to 44 bushels per acre, which is within the range of the LSD05. When considering the 3-year average, 1992-94, varieties which yielded in the range from 48 to 53 bushels per acre in the south do not differ, based on the LSD05 of 5 bushels. In the north the varieties which yielded in the range from 46 to 52 bushels per acre range, do not differ based on the LSD05 of 6 bushels per acre. Based on yield, variety choices are not always easy to make when deciding on which ones to plant. Other characteristics, especially during the last 2-3 years, need to be considered when selecting varieties. Varietal characteristics are presented in Table B. All values are 1992-94 averages except for the scab and milling/baking quality values. The milling/baking quality values are based on 1991-93 years since 1994 values are not available at this time. The scab index values are from 1993-94 while the percent light kernels are average values for 1994 from Crookston and St. Paul inoculated Scab nursery. The evaluation of hard red spring wheat varieties for susceptibility to scab has received considerable attention during the last 3 to 4 years, however, we are still learning how to best evaluate varieties. Two of the ways we can judge varietal susceptibility is using the scab index rating developed by plant pathologists. The scab index values are from the St. Paul Scab nursery conducted by the Department of Plant Pathology. The scab index gives a combined estimate of the amount of scab and its ability to spread in the head; incidence and severity. Varieties are uniformly inoculated every other day during flowering with a mixture of pathogenic strains of Fusarium fungus and mist irrigated each night during inoculation. The rating developed from this nursery is one way to obtain varietal susceptibility, however outward head appearance does not tell the whole story. Even though the glumes show signs of scab, it does not always mean the kernels are infected, thus another test for scab is to determine the number of light kernels using a given concentration of salt and sugar in water to float the less dense kernels. When selecting a variety for scab resistance, low values of both the scab index and the percent light kernel values should be used. Sharp and 2375 had low indices and percent light kernels. Other varieties were 2370, Butte 86, Grandin, Kulm, Hamer, and Stoa. In some cases even though the scab index is low, the percent light kernels is high. The percent light kernels can be caused by other diseases and environmental factors in addition to scab. Variety selection for 1994 could be critical if we experience another year of scab. Obviously 2375 should be one of the choices but shattering and lodging could be a problem with this variety if we have a delayed harvest. Sharp, Butte 86, and Stoa are also choices, although all may lodge. Grandin or Marshall could be a semidwarf choice. Grandin experienced more leaf disease problems in 1994 while Marshall may have some leaf rust. Hamer looks promising but we only have one year's data on this variety. Spreading your risk over 2 or 3 varieties with different maturities should be considered. Breeding for resistance to scab is difficult, but several lines appear promising. One line had over 61 pounds per bushel test weight under severe scab conditions at Crookston, when 2375 had 57 pounds per bushel. This line also has good bread-making quality, while yield is medium. Quality has been a major problem in lines with Asian sources of scab resistance, so future improvements appear promising. OATS by D.D. Stuthman and E.A. Oelke Crown rust (Puccinia sp.) infections in oat reduced variety yields especially in the southern locations of Rosemount, Waseca, Lamberton and Morris in 1994. The average yield in 1994 of all oat entries (40 lines) over 6 locations (excluding Roseau and Winona) was 85 bushels per acre, while in 1993 it was 70, and in 1992 it was 98. In 1993 the yields were comparably reduced by crown rust. The average three-year yield of the 12 varieties in Table 1 was the highest at Crookston and the second highest at Roseau. Some of the varieties have only been in the oat variety tests for 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. Three varieties not previously in Minnesota tests include INO 9201, Jerry, and Paul, the latter a hulless variety. INO 9201, from Purdue, is similar to Dane in yielding, test weight, and heading (Table 2). It is susceptible to smut and crown rust, but is more tolerant to red leaf than Dane. It has good lodging resistance. Jerry is from North Dakota. It is 1.5 days earlier than Milton, has better test than Troy but only slightly better lodging resistance than Troy. Jerry is susceptible to rust and smut but has good tolerance to red leaf. Paul is also from North Dakota and is the best yielding hulless variety yet tested in Minnesota. It is two days later than Troy with intermediate lodging resistance. It has some rust and smut resistance but little tolerance to red leaf. The two new Minnesota varieties performed about as we expected. Milton continues to yield very well at Morris, Crookston, and Grand Rapids. It is susceptible to red leaf but has good resistance to smut and seems to yield reasonably well in the presence of rust unless the infection is unusually heavy. Pal continues to look good as a special purpose variety for forage establishment and does well when harvested as forages. Oat variety selection by producers will depend on final end use. If the primary goal is grain production then select a variety that has yielded well in your location but also has good disease resistance. Each producer needs to select varieties based on their particular situation and experience. For example, if a producer has had problems with crown rust then a variety should be selected with an MS or MR rating, similarly with smut. If barley yellow dwarf has been a problem then a variety should be selected with a lower rating for this disease. Varietal yield and characteristics are important when selecting oat varieties. BARLEY by D.C. Rasmusson and E.A. Oelke Based on 1994 acreage figures only four barley varieties were of consequence in Minnesota; Robust was planted on 53%, Stander on 29%, Excel on 12%, and Morex on 2.5% of the acreage. All of them were developed at the University of Minnesota. The strong showing of Stander was encouraging since 1994 was the first year seed has been available to growers. University experimental plots, like growers' fields, received excessive moisture, especially at the critical heading and grain-filling time resulting in lower percentages of plump kernels, discoloring of grain, and high vomitoxin levels. Even so, yield level was fairly high and sizeable differences in grain yield were observed among varieties. Performance of barley varieties in 1994 closely followed expectations based on long-term averages (Table 1). Excel and Stander exceeded Robust in grain yield by about 8 bushels per acre when averaged over a seven year period, 1988-94. In 1994, Excel exceeded Robust by 8 bushels and Stander exceeded Robust by 11 bushels (Table 1). Thus the newly released Stander fulfilled expectations of being superior in yield potential to Morex and Robust and equal to Excel. While Excel produced high grain yield, it was low in plump kernels in some trials. This agrees with grower experience. In some cases, Excel grain is plump enough but in other cases it is too low (Table 2). Recently released, Stander has important advantages, notably superior resistance to lodging, high percentage of plump kernels and high grain yield (Tables 1 and 2). Stander is somewhat later maturing than Robust. It is discouraging that its malting quality status is undetermined. Malting quality evaluations were not done on the 1993 crop because of the scab (vomitoxin) problem. So an industry decision on acceptability must await malting and brewing of the 1994 barley crop. This will delay a decision on quality status of Stander until summer or fall of 1995. Royal, a forage companion-crop and feed variety was released in 1994 and seed is available for 1995 production. It is a semi-dwarf, about 8 inches shorter than Robust, with excellent resistance to lodging. Royal has improved forage quality compared to the taller varieties. Grain yield of Royal is similar to Robust (Table 1).
Copyright Prairie Grains Magazine Winter 1994

U of M Varietal Trials for 1994 Small Grains: Hard Red Spring Wheat

Copyright Prairie Grains Magazine Winter 1994

Copyright Prairie
Grains Magazine
Winter 1994