Objective:

To evaluate soft white spring wheat varieties for agronomic performance in environments representative of northwestern Montana. 

Results:

Significant differences were observed for all response variables. Heading dates averaged 173 Julian days (June 21) and spanned a 10 day period that ranged from 167 to 177 days (Table 2.). Physiological maturity averaged 216 days (August 3) and ranged from 215 to 217 days. Stripe rust was observed on all cultivars despite an application of Tilt. Stripe rust infection averaged 27.8%, ranging from 3.0% for WB6121 to 63.3% for Alpowa. Plant heights averaged 36.7 inches, ranging from 34.3 inches for WA8254 to 41.6 inches for DH09X503-188-0. Lodging was minimal with the exception of Louise at 63.3 percent. Yield averaged 112.5 bu/A and ranged from 77.1 bu/A for DH09X101-41-0 to 136.2 bu/A for UI Stone. Protein averaged 11.46%, ranging from 10.09% for WA8254 to 13.70 % for WB6121. Test weight averaged 61.0 lb/bu and ranged from 59.3 for Treasure at 107 lb/A to 62.3 lb/bu for DH09X503-188-0. Falling number values averaged 323.7 seconds and ranged from 276.1 seconds for WB6121 to 366.6 seconds for Alpowa. Pre-harvest sprout averaged 124.6 and ranged from 64.6 for Alpowa to 267.7 for WB6121.

Summary:

UI Stone was the highest yielding variety and three entries yielded statistically equivalent to UI Stone; 12-SWW-052, IDO1405S and DH09X503-188-0. Preliminary findings demonstrate that UI Stone is a suitable soft white wheat for this region. However, cultivar differences were prevalent and continual screening of soft white wheats is necessary to identify those which perform best in northwestern Montana.  

Table 1. Materials and Methods.

Seeding Date: 4/22/2016 Harvest Date: 8/23/2016
Julian Date: 113 Julian Date: 236
Seeding Rate: 80 lb/A Soil Type: Creston SiL
Previous Crop: Winter Wheat Soil Test: 96-8-200
Tillage: Conventional Fertilizer: 235-40-60
Herbicide: Huskie 11 oz/A + Axial 16/4 oz/A + NIS 1 qt/100 gal + UAN 28%
+ Stinger 1/3 pt/A
Insecticide: Warrior II 1.92 floz/A Fungicide: Tilt at 4 oz

Table 2. Agronomic data from the evaluation of Western Regional Soft White Spring Wheat lines, Kalispell, MT - 2016.

Cultivar HD Julian SR % HT in LOD % YLD bu/A1 PRO %2 TWT lb/bu1 FN sec PHS delta
UI Stone 170 28.3 37.4 0.0 136.2 10.37 61.8 330.8 99.3
12-SWW-052 174 15.3 37.1 8.3 128.6 11.49 59.9 308.4 158.2
IDO1405S 172 19.3 38.5 0.0 128.4 11.81 61.2 327.0 144.5
DH09X503-188-0 177 24.3 41.6 5.0 124.8 13.12 62.3 319.4 77.7
WA 8253 171 15.0 36.7 13.3 120.9 11.26 61.4 333.2 189.7
IDO1401S 168 30.0 35.7 1.7 120.8 11.28 61.5 322.8 105.3
IDO1403S 172 7.3 35.4 0.0 117.3 12.26 60.4 365.4 76.4
Treasure 40g 175 31.7 36.1 0.0 117.2 10.59 60.2 310.5 125.0
06PN3024-2 168 16.7 37.3 3.3 115. 11.31 61.3 345.9 119.7
Treasure 60g 175 38.3 35.6 0.0 111.7 10.80 59.7 313.3 117.6
WB6121 167 3.0 34.8 0.0 107.2 13.70 61.3 276.1 267.7
Treasure 80g 175 44.0 35.6 1.7 106.4 10.82 59.3 316.3 120.5
ALPOWA 176 63.3 34.8 1.7 100.5 11.68 62.0 366.6 64.6
LOUISE 173 21.0 39.3 63.3 95.9 11.57 60.7 307.6 130.5
WA 8254 171 33.3 34.3 16.7 91.6 10.09 60.9 306.5 117.2
DH09X101-41-0 175 54.0 37.0 0.0 77.1 11.12 61.4 329.1 79.1
Mean 173 27.8 36.7 7.2 112.5 11.46 61.0 323.7 96.5
CV 0.7 20.3 4.6 90.6 7.4 1.70 1.0 6.8 46.46
LSD 2.0 9.4 2.8 10.9 13.8 0.33 1.0 36.5 124.6
Pr>F 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0033 0.0288

HD: heading date; SR: stripe rust; HT: height; PM: physiological maturity; LOD: lodging; YLD: yield; PRO: protein; TWT: test weight; FN: falling number

1 adjusted to 13% moisture; 2 adjusted to 12% moisture