Spring Wheat Off-Station Variety Trials 2014

Note: A PDF version of this report can be downloaded here.

North Central Montana Off-Station Spring Wheat Variety Performance Evaluations

Principal Investigator: Peggy F. Lamb, Research Scientist, Northern Ag Research Center, Havre

Project Personnel

Luther E. Talbert, Breeder/Geneticist, Spring Wheat, Bozeman
Hwa Young Heo, Research Associate, Spring Wheat, Bozeman
Angela E. Sebelius, Research Associate, Havre
Jesse Fulbright, Liberty County Extension
Ben Hauptman, Blaine Count Extension
Tyler Lane, Chouteau County Extension
Marko Manoukian, Phillips County Extension

Cooperators 

Max Cederberg, Landowner, Turner
Kurt Kammerzell, Landowner, Chester
Pete Lumsden & John Flansaas, Landowners, Loring
Lyle McKeever & Terry McKeever, Landowners, Loma

Objectives

Diverse cropping environments exist within the five-county area most closely served by Northern Agricultural Research Center. Winter wheat, spring wheat, barley, durum and oat production together in the five counties (Blaine, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty and Phillips) represents 33 percent of the 2009-2013 statewide totals (44 percent for winter wheat and 22 percent for spring wheat). Producers are keenly interested in variety performance data generated under local conditions. It is our objective, within budget and other resource limitations, to evaluate small grain variety performance, over time, under conditions representative of specific areas of northern Montana, yet differing from that of the Research Center. Growers in north central Montana are provided reliable, unbiased, upto-date information to make comparisons among improved spring wheat varieties. This report provides producers in north central Montana the information necessary to select varieties best suited for their specific area and growing conditions.

Methods

Standard off-station spring wheat variety performance trials were conducted in 2014 on chemical fallow at four locations in four northern Montana counties.

Dryland Spring Wheat Trials:

1. Cederberg Farm, Blaine County (3NE Turner) 13-36N-25E
2. Flansaas/Lumsden Farm, Phillips County (1SW Loring) 24-35N-29E
3. McKeever Farms, Chouteau County (4NW Loma) 21-27N-10E
4. Kammerzell Farm, Liberty County (2W Chester) 07-31N-06E

All four trials consisted of 20 entries and were seeded in replicated, 3-row, 22-foot plots on a 12-inch row spacing, utilizing a self-propelled cone seeder with Atom Jet paired row openers. All rows of each plot were trimmed to a harvest length of 17.5 feet with a three-point rotary mower. Plant height was measured and percent sawfly cutting was estimated for each plot immediately prior to harvest. A ‘Wintersteiger Classic’ plot combine, funded in part by the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, was used to harvest each 3-row plot. Seed was cleaned prior to measuring plot weight, test weight and moisture content. Protein content was determined using a Foss Infratec 1241 near infrared analyzer. Other variables specific to each individual trial are listed with the current year data tables.

Results

Please note that cereal research trial yield results recorded under wheat stem sawfly pressure are much higher than a producer should expect. Small plot variety trials are managed to assess maximum yield potential and are harvested in such a way that all stems and heads are picked up by the combine, regardless of lodging or cutting due to sawfly. Pickup guards coupled with an extremely slow ground speed and exceptionally low cutting height help researchers collect all heads in order to assess seed yield potential. If you are a producer in a wheat stem sawfly environment, although hollow stemmed varieties may be high yielding in research trials in your area, we recommend against growing those hollow stemmed varieties. Please be aware that if you seed hollow stemmed NARC MWBC-SW varieties with sawfly present, you are only creating a breeding ground for future generations of sawfly in your area and not helping combat the pest population.

Cropping environments in 2014 started out average to marginal with lower than normal early spring precipitation across north central Montana. Timely, above average rainfall events were experienced at Turner and Loring resulting in excellent spring wheat yields for growers who were not hit by one of the frequent hail storms of 2014. The Loma and Chester locations went into the fall and started out early spring dryer than normal but then received timely precipitation resulting in good to very good spring wheat seed yields.

At Havre, annual growing season precipitation (9/1/13 through 8/31/14) was 13.34 inches, 11 percent higher than the average for all years since 1916. April 1 through July 31 precipitation was 4.87 inches or 71 percent of the 99-year average. Heat units expressed as "Growing Degree Days" (GDD, base 50) from May through July totaled 1176, 91 percent of the average for the last 64 years (1951-2014). The last spring frost was on May 13 and the first fall frost of 2014 was on September 12, resulting in 121 frost-free days. The minimum winter temperature was -33 degrees F on December 7, 8 and 9. Overall, 2013-2014 crop year temperatures were very close to the long-term average. The April through July growing season saw an average daily temperature of 56.4 degrees F, only 1 degree below normal. July and August average temperatures were slightly higher than normal with the high for 2014 recorded on July 31 at 96 degrees F. There were 15 days with temperatures 90 degrees F or above, with no days over 100 degrees F.

Following a summer of substantial rainfall and minor hail storms, unfortunately the spring wheat trial at Turner was hit by a devastating season ending hail storm on August 28. The spring wheat plots at the 2014 Cederberg dryland site were not salvageable for any data collection.

Comparable averages are calculated using a standard long-term check variety when not all entries are present in a specific trial for all years. Variety means are adjusted by multiplying the actual check mean by the ratio of the individual variety mean compared to the check mean for the same years as tested. All varieties are then directly comparable to each other when in the same nursery. A minimum of 3 years of data is necessary to be included in comparable average calculation. Nine-year comparable averages (2005-2013) for spring wheat seed yield and test weight at Turner are summarized in Table 1, while nine-year comparable averages for sawfly cutting are summarized in Table 2.

Loring spring wheat yields averaged over 44 bu/ac with Montana State University release ‘Vida’ producing highest yield at over 54 bu/ac. MSU experimental line ‘MT1172’ was the only other line to produce a yield statistically equal to that of Vida. Sawfly cutting was virtually nonexistent at the Loring site with cutting in the spring wheat trial averaging only 0.9 percent. Stand percent, plant height, yield, moisture, test weight, protein and sawfly cutting data for the 2014 Loring dryland spring wheat trial are summarized in Table 3. Ten-year comparable averages for spring wheat seed yield and test weight at Loring are summarized in Table 4, while ten-year comparable averages for sawfly cutting are summarized in Table 5.

In 2013, off-station spring wheat trials were re-established at Loma. Out of the path of timely rain showers, spring wheat yields at Loma averaged 35 bu/ac. Vida, ‘McNeal’ and experimental line MT1172 and were the highest yielding entries at 42.8, 40.5 and 39.1 bu/ac, respectively (Table 6). Sawfly cutting in the small plot situation was nearly nonexistent this year, averaging only 0.3 percent cutting. Plant height, yield, test weight, moisture, protein and sawfly cutting data for the 2014 Loma dryland spring wheat trial are summarized in Table 6. Comparable averages for spring wheat at the Loma site will not be available until the 2015 crop year.

In 2014, off-station spring wheat trials were established at Chester. Spring wheat yields at Chester averaged just under 36 bu/ac. Agripro variety ‘Brennan’, along with MSU experimental line MT1172 and public release ‘Duclair’ were the highest yielding entries at 43.0, 42.6 and 40.3 bu/ac, respectively (Table 7). Sawfly cutting in the small plot scenario was minimal, averaging only 2.7 percent cutting. Plant height, yield, test weight, moisture, protein and sawfly cutting data for the 2014 Chester dryland spring wheat trial are summarized in Table 7. Comparable averages for spring wheat at the Chester site will not be available until the 2016 crop year.

Summary

This work has been strongly supported by producers near each of the locations, and by the Northern Agricultural Research Center Advisory Council. With budget and other resources allowing, it is planned to continue off-station cereal variety investigations in the five-county area. The Loring location is entering its twentieth year, and the NARC MWBC-SW cooperator and area producer interest and support has been outstanding. The Turner location is only 32 miles from the Loring site, but growing conditions there are quite different. Cooperator and producer support in the Big Flat area have been outstanding through the years with 2014 marking 31 years at the present Turner site. Various winter and spring cereal trials have been conducted with great producer support at the Chouteau County location, between Big Sandy and Loma, since 1998. The Chester location was reestablished in 2014 following a prolonged absence of uniform off-station spring cereal testing in Liberty County.

Funding Summary: Expenditure information for grant index 4W5132 is to be provided by Montana State University, Office of Sponsored Programs. There is no other grant support for this project.

MWBC FY2016 Grant Submission Plans: It is planned to submit this project for funding consideration in the next fiscal year.

Table 1. Nine-Year Yield and Test Weight Summary on Selected Entries from Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Variety Nurseries Grown Off-Station at the Leon Cederberg Farm, Turner. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2005-2014. (Exp# 9951-SW)

Check Variety is Fortuna.

¹ See MCES Bulletin 1093 or the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology website for evaluation of other important variety performance characteristics to include protein, quality, disease resistance, etc. before making cultivar selecton decisions.

² P = Private Variety, + = Protected Variety, ++ = PVP Title 5 or Title 5 Pending, HW = Hard White Wheat.

³ Only the most recent 5 years are shown, but summary calculations include all years noted.

⁴ No harvest in 2014 due to hail.

⁵ Percent of Fortuna yield or test weight for the same data years as those in which a given entry was tested.

⁶ 9-Yr Comparable Average = (x/y) * z where x = average yield or test weight of a given entry for years tested, y = average yield or test weight for Fortuna for the same years, and z = 9-Yr average yield or test weight for the check variety Fortuna.

⁷ Seeding to 14 days prior to harvest maturity.

Table 2. Nine-Year Sawfly Summary on Selected Entries from Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Variety Nurseries Grown Off-Station at the Leon Cederberg Farm, Turner. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2005-2014. (Exp# 9951-SW)

Long-term check variety is Fortuna.

¹ See MCES Bulletin 1093 or the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology website for evaluation of other important variety performance characteristics to include protein, quality, disease resistance, etc. before making cultivar selecton decisions.

² P = Private Variety, + = Protected Variety, ++ = PVP Title 5 or Title 5 Pending, HW = Hard White Wheat.

³ No harvest in 2014 due to hail.

⁴ Percent of Fortuna cut for the same data years as those in which a given entry was tested.

⁵ 9-Yr Comparable Average = (x/y) * z where x = average sawfly rating of a given entry for years tested, y = average sawfly rating for Fortuna for the same years, and z = 9-Yr average sawfly rating for the check variety Fortuna.

⁶ Seeding to 14 days prior to harvest maturity.

Table 3. Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Cultivar Evaluation Nursery Grown Off-Station at the FlansaasLumsden Farm, Loring. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. (Exp+ 14-9955-SW)

¹ Volumetric yields are based on plot weights adjusted to uniform 12 % grain moisture and 60 lbs/bu as the standard test weight for wheat.

² Protein values are adjusted to 12 % grain moisture.

³ Sawfly rating is reported as the percentage of cut stems.

Bold italics indicate highest value within a column.

Bold indicates varieties with values equal to highest variety within a column based on Fisher's protected LSD (p=0.05).

Management Information

Table 4. Ten-Year Yield and Test Weight Summary on Selected Entries from Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Variety Nurseries Grown Off-Station at the Flansaas/Lumsden Farm, Loring. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2005-2014. (Exp# 9955-SW)

Check Variety is Fortuna.

¹See MCES Bulletin 1093 or the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology website for evaluation of other important variety performance characteristics to include protein, quality, disease resistance, etc. before making cultivar selecton decisions.

² P = Private Variety, + = Protected Variety, ++ = PVP Title 5 or Title 5 Pending, HW = Hard White Wheat.

³ Only the most recent 5 years are shown, but summary calculations include all years noted.

⁴ Percent of Fortuna yield or test weight for the same data years as those in which a given entry was tested.

⁵ 10-Yr Comparable Average = (x/y) * z where x = average yield or test weight of a given entry for years tested, y = average yield or test weight for Fortuna for the same years, and z = 10-Yr average yield or test weight for the check variety Fortuna.

⁶ Seeding to 14 days prior to harvest maturity.

Table 5. Ten-Year Sawfly Summary on Selected Entries from Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Variety Nurseries Grown Off-Station at the Flansaas/Lumsden Farm, Loring. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2005-2014. (Exp# 9955-SW)

Long-term check variety is Fortuna.

¹ See MCES Bulletin 1093 or the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology website for evaluation of other important variety performance characteristics to include protein, quality, disease resistance, etc. before making cultivar selecton decisions.

² P = Private Variety, + = Protected Variety, ++ = PVP Title 5 or Title 5 Pending, HW = Hard White Wheat.

³ Percent of Fortuna cut for the same data years as those in which a given entry was tested.

⁴ 10-Yr Comparable Average = (x/y) * z where x = average sawfly rating of a given entry for years tested, y = average saw fly rating for Fortuna for the same years, and z = 10-Yr average sawfly rating for the check variety Fortuna.

⁵ Seeding to 14 days prior to harvest maturity.

Table 6. Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Cultivar Evaluation Nursery Grown Off-Station at McKeever Farm & Seed, Inc., Loma. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2014. (Exp # 14-9957-SW)

¹ Volumetric yields are based on plot weights adjusted to uniform 12 % grain moisture and 60 lbs/bu as the standard test weight for wheat.

² Protein values are adjusted to 12 % grain moisture.

³ Sawfly rating is reported as the percentage of cut stems.

Bold italicsindicate highest value within a column.

Bold indicates varieties with values equal to highest variety within a column based on Fisher's protected LSD (p=0.05)

Management Information (14-9957-SW)

Table 7. Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Cultivar Evaluation Nursery Grown Off-Station at the Kammerzell Farm, Chester. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2014. (Exp# 14-9953-SW)

¹Volumetric yields are based on plot weights adjusted to uniform 12 % grain moisture and 60 lbs/bu as the standard test weight for wheat.

² Protein values are adjusted to 12 % grain moisture.

³ Sawfly rating is reported as the percentage of cut stems.

Bold italics indicate highest value within a column.

Bold indicates varieties with values equal to highest variety within a column based on Fisher's protected LSD (p=0.05).

Management Information