Spring wheat and durum variety evaluations at Western Triangle Ag. Research Center

Principle Investigator: Gadi V.P. Reddy, Superintendent, Western Triangle Ag Research Center

Personnel: John H. Miller, Research Associate and Julie Prewett, Research Assistant WTARC, Conrad, MT, and Luther Talbert and Hwa-Young Heo, MSU Plant Science Dept., Bozeman, MT.

Cooperators: Bradley Farms, north of Cut Bank, MT Brian Aklestad, north of Devon, MT Aaron Killion, east of Brady, MT Inbody Farms, northeast of Choteau, MT

Objectives: There are diverse cropping environments within the area served by Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center. Each off station location has its own unique environment and soils. Producers in the various locations are interested in variety performance in the local area.

To this end the objective is to evaluate winter wheat varieties under the local conditions with respect to yield, test weight, plant height, and seed protein. The environmental conditions at the off station nurseries can vary greatly from those at WTARC. The research center strives to provide growers of the western triangle area unbiased information of various spring wheat varieties.

Methods: On station nursery is the Advance Yield Trial (AYT) with 64 entries replicated three times. Off station spring wheat nurseries consist of 20 entries replicated three times, seeded with a four row plot seeder on one foot spacing. All plots were planted on no-till chemical fallow.

Plots were trimmed, measured for length, and then harvested with a Hege 140 plot combine. Winter wheat seed was cleaned prior to collecting data. Orange wheat blossom midge pheromone traps were also installed at each off station plot.

Results: Results are tabulated in Tables 1 thru 15. Results are tabulated in Table 1 for the advanced spring wheat nursery and Table 2 is five year averages for selected varieties in the advanced spring wheat nursery. Table 3 is for the off station irrigated spring wheat nursery, with multi-year data presented in Table 4. Tables 5 thru 12 are for the off station locations, with Table 13 representing the data from the SM1 nursery and Tables 14 and 15 containing durum data.

Overall, the crop year temperature where close to the 29 year average at the research center with the exception of 2.5 inches less moisture than the 29 year average. The winter temperature was close to average, with the exception of November being 8 degrees cooler than usual. With March being 7 degrees warmer than the normal. Also June was 4.6 degrees warmer compared to the 29 year average.

Soil temperatures at the station under chemical fallow stubble stayed under 40 degrees at a depth of eight inches until mid April. May was cool with slightly above average precipitation. Early in June we received 0.95 inches, then it warmed up and remained dry for about 30 days, during that time the spring wheat was running out of water as it was heading. July had normal amounts of rain.

The AYT yields ranged from 44.5 to 67.7 bu/ac, with an average of 53.9 bu/ac and 15.4 % seed protein. The 5 year yield and protein average for named varieties in the AYT is 72.5 bu/ac and 13.5 % seed protein. Although, test weight was slightly lower than the 5 year average.

Top yielding varieties at Choteau were WPSP2-VIDA1, Montana State University lines, MT1316, MT1338, and WB Gunnison. The top three yielding varieties at Choteau were 64.9, 60.4, and 59.6 bu/ac, respectively (Table 5). Reeder, WPSP2-VIDA1, and Duclair were the high yielding varieties at Devon, 29.0, 27.8, and 27.6 bu/ac (Table 9). The ‘Knees’ high yielders at 40.6, 37.8, and 37.6 bu/ac, were Montana State University line MT1316, Duclair, Vida. The best yielding varieties, at the Cut Bank location were Montana State University line MT1316, WPSP2-VIDA1, and WB Gunninson. Yields at Cut Bank were 48.3, 47.7, and 47.3 bu/ac (Table7) The top yielders in the irrigated trial were Duclair, at 86.0 bu/ac, WB Gunnison 85.5 bu/ac and Choteau at 79.0 bu/ac (Table 3).

Yields in the irrigated off-station spring wheat trial ranged from 86.0 bu/ac to 52.7 bu/ac. When compared to the five year averages, the irrigated off-station spring wheat nursery had lower yields, with average test weight, and slightly higher grain protein by 1.8% (Tables 3 and 4). At Devon the 2015 yield was down 9.3 bu/ac from the four year average; with 2.7% higher grain protein and average test weight (Tables 9 and 10). The ‘Knees’ location had lower yields, higher grain protein and lower test weight when compared to the four year mean (Tables 11 and 12).

Yields at Cut Bank ranged from 48.3 to 24.2 bu/ac, with lower grain protein for the year, with slightly higher test weights (Tables 7 and 8).

The SM1 nursery has wheat that contains the gene to make it resistant to the Orange Wheat Blossom Midge. Data are presented in Table 13.

The durum nursery had an average yield of 41.0 bu/ac. The six year average is 67.4 bu/ac. Average test weight for the 2015 growing season was 58.6 lbs/bu, down about 2 lbs/bu from the six year average. Seed protein was about 2.5 % higher for 2015 than the six year average.

No insect incidence (wheat stem sawfly or wireworms) was noticed in any of the winter wheat varieties. This is because of the high number of parasitoids of the wheat stem sawfly are present at the research center. Insignificant amount of adult of orange wheat blossom midge were found at the off station locations.

Summary: The data from the off station plots is supported by the local producers and advisory committee as well as the seed industry. It is planned to continue the off station variety plots at the same locations as the environmental conditions at each location is unique to the western triangle area. No insect incidence or damage was noticed in any of the varieties.

These data should be used for comparative purposes rather than using absolute numbers. Statistics are used to indicate that treatment or variety differences are really different and are not different due to chance or error. The least significant difference (LSD) and coefficient of variability (CV) values are useful in comparing treatment or variety differences. The LSD value represents the smallest difference between two treatments at a given probably level. The LSD at p=0.05 or 5 % probability level is usually the statistic reported, and it means that the odds are 19 to 1 that treatment differences by the amount of the LSD are truly different. The CV value measures the variability of the experiment or variety trial, and a CV greater than 15 % indicates a high degree of variability and less accuracy.

Funding Summary: Office of Special Projects will provide expenditure information. No other grants support this project.

MWBC FY2016 Grant Submission Plans: A similar project will be proposed for FY 2016. The continuation of on and off-station variety trials help to elucidate researchers and farmers which varieties are better suited for that particular region in Montana.

Table 1. 2015 Spring wheat advanced yield nursery, Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad, MT.

Table 1 Continued on next page

Table 1 Continued

Planted: 4/9/2015 on conventional fallow and harvested on 8/10/2015.

Fertilizer: actual pounds/ac. of N-P-K: 11-22-0 applied with seed and a 180-0-20 blend of urea and potash was broadcast at planting. Fertilizer rates are based on a yield goal of 60 bu/ac.

Herbicide: The plot area was pre-plant sprayed with 32 oz/ac RT3 on 4/8/2015. Precipitation for growing season: 4.55 inches.

Table 2. 5-year Means, Advanced spring wheat varieties, Conrad, MT, 2015.

Location: MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad, MT.

Table 3. Off-station irrigated spring wheat variety trial located, WTARC MT. Pondera County.

Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, 2015.

Cooperator and Location: WTARC, Pondera County.

Planted April 22, 2015 on chemical fallow barley stubble. Harvested August 28, 2015. Fertilizer: actual pounds/ac of N-P-K: 11-22-0 applied with seed and a 254-0-20 blend of urea and potash was broad cast at planting. Fertilizer rates are based on a yield goal of 80 bu/ac.

Herbicide: The plot area was pre-plant sprayed with 20 oz/ac RT3 4/22/2015. Growing season precipitation: 5.60 inches. Irrigation: 9.9 inches

** = Solid stem sawfly-resistant (solid stem score of 19 or higher).

* = Less preferred by sawfly (behavioral preference) in small plots. CL= Clearfield

Conducted by MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center.

Table 4. 5-year means, off station irrigated spring wheat varieties, Conrad, MT,

Location: MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad, MT.

Table 5. Off-station Spring Wheat variety trial located northeast of Choteau, MT. Teton County. Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, 2015.

Cooperator and Location: Inbody Farms, Teton County.

Planted April 24, 2015 on chemical fallow. Harvested August 25, 2015.

Fertilizer: actual pounds/ac of N-P-K: 11-22-0 applied with seed and a 100-0-20 blend of urea and potash was broadcast at planting. Fertilizer rates are based on a yield goal of 50 bu/ac.

Herbicide: Preplant sprayed with RT3 at 32 oz per acre on 4/24/15. Huskie at 11 oz/ac and Axial XL at 16.4 oz/ac were sprayed on 6/1/15.

Precipitation: N/A

** = Solid stem sawfly-resistant (solid stem score of 19 or higher).

* = Less preferred by sawfly (behavioral preference) in small plots. CL = Clearfield

Conducted by MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center.

Table 6. Four-year means, Spring Wheat varieties, Choteau area, Teton County.

2012-2015.

Cooperator and Location: Inbody Farm, Teton County. Conducted by MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center.

Table 7. Off-station spring wheat variety trial located north of Cut Bank, MT. Glacier county. Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, 2015.

Cooperator and Location: Bradley Farms, northern Glacier County.

Planted April 30, 2015 on chemical fallow. Harvested September 11, 2015.

Fertilizer: actual pounds/ac of N-P-K: 11-22-0 applied with seed and a 75-0-20 blend of urea and potash was broadcast at planting. Fertilizer rates are based on a yield goal of 50 bu/ac.

Herbicide: The plots were sprayed with Huskie at 11 oz/ac and Axial XL at 16.4 oz/ac on 6/4/15. Precipitation from planting to harvest: 6.25 inches.

** = Solid stem sawfly-resistant (solid stem score of 19 or higher).

* = Less preferred by sawfly (behavioral preference) in small plots. CL = Clearfield

Conducted by MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center.

Table 8. 5-year means, off station spring wheat varieties, Cut Bank, MT, Glacier county, 2010-2015

Location: Bradley farm, Cut Bank, MT

Table 9. Off-station spring wheat variety trial located Devon, MT. Toole county. Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, 2015.

Cooperator and Location: Brian Aklestad

Planted April 27, 2015 on chemical fallow barley stubble. Harvested August 15, 2015. Fertilizer: actual pounds/ac of N-P-K: 11-22-0 applied with seed and a 109-0-20 blend of urea and potash was broadcast at planting. Fertilizer rates are based on a yield goal of 35 bu/ac.

Herbicide: The plot area was pre-plant sprayed with 32 oz/ac RT3 on 4/27/2015. The plots were sprayed with Huskie at 11 oz/ac and Axial XL at 16.4 oz/ac on 6/11/2015.

Growing season precipitation: 1.25 inches rain gauge was cracked at some point during the growing season.

** = Solid stem sawfly-resistant (solid stem score of 19 or higher).

* = Less preferred by sawfly (behavioral preference) in small plots. CL = Clearfield

Conducted by MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center.

Table 10. Five-year means, Spring Wheat varieties, Devon area, Eastern Toole County, 2010-2015.

Cooperator and Location: Brian Aklestad, Eastern Toole County. Conducted by MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center.

Table 11. Off-station spring wheat variety trial located near the Knees. Chouteau County.

Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, 2015.

Cooperator and Location: Aaron Killion, western Chouteau County. Planted April 24, 2015 on chemical fallow. Harvested August 31, 2015.

Fertilizer: actual pounds/ac of N-P-K: 11-22-0 applied with seed and a 114-0-20 blend of urea and potash was broadcast at planting. Fertilizer rates are based on a yield goal of 45 bu/ac.

Herbicide: The plot area was pre-plant sprayed with 20 oz/ac RT3 on 4/24/2015. The plots were sprayed with Huskie at 11 oz/ac and Axial XL at 16.4 oz/ac on 6/1/2015.

** = Solid stem sawfly-resistant (solid stem score of 19 or higher).

* = Less preferred by sawfly (behavioral preference) in small plots. CL = Clearfield System

Conducted by MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center.

Table 12. 5-year Means, Off Spring Wheat Varieties, Knees, MT.

Location: Killion Farms, Brady MT

MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad, MT.

Table 13. Off-station spring wheat SM1 trial located near the Valier. Pondera county. Western Triangle Ag. Research Center. 2015.

Cooperator and Location: Crawford Farms Valier, MT.

Planted April 13,2015 on chem-fallow. Harvested September 2, 2015.

Fertilizer, actual lbs/a:11-22-0 with seed at planting, 105-0-20 broadcast while planting Preplant sprayed with Roundup @ 22 oz/a on April 13, 2015, also sprayed with Huskie @ 11 oz/ac and Axial XL @ 16.4 oz/ac.

Conducted by MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center.

Table 14. Durum Variety Trial located WTARC. Pondera County. Western Triangle Ag.

Research Center, 2015.

Planted: April 9, 2015 on chemical fallow barley stubble and harvested on August 3, 2015. Fertilizer: actual pounds/ac. of N-P-K: 11-22-0 applied with seed and a 172-0-20 blend of urea and potash was broadcast at planting. Fertilizer rates are based on a yield goal of 60 bu/ac.

Herbicide: The plot area was pre-plant sprayed with RT3 at 32 oz/ac on 4/8/2015. Precipitation for growing season: 4.74 inches.

Table 15. Six-year means, dryland Durum varieties. Western Triangle Ag.

Research Center Conrad, MT, Pondera County, 2010 – 2015.