PRIVATE COMPANIES
P.O. Box 411, Brookston, IN 47923, USA.
Delta Soft Red Winter Wheat.
J. Barton Fogleman, Jr. and Chris L. Grimes, Jonesboro,
AR 74202-2365 USA.
1994-95 midsouth seasonal summary.
Summer crops were harvested early, and many farmers planted in
mid to late September in Arkansas. Fall and winter were cool and
damp, allowing aphid and Hessian fly populations to reproduce
several generations. Some BYDV symptoms were noted as early as
November, and BYDV pressure was heavy throughout the spring. The
mild winter and cool spring produced a higher incidence of powdery
mildew than is normal for the midsouth areas of the US. Damage
from biotype L Hessian fly began to appear in some of the earlier
planted fields in Arkansas. A few fields were destroyed completely
by the infestation. Despite the early development of the crop,
damage from late freezes was not widely evident. Some lodging
because of freeze damage did occur but was not widespread. Leaf
rust was present in the midsouth, but was somewhat late in developing
and did not affect yields as much as it might have. The new leaf
rust race that emerged in the southeast US and deep South was
virulent on most of the previously resistant varieties. (Agripro
varieties Savannah and Mason appear to be moderately resistant
or better to this new rust race.) After anthesis, warmer and wetter
conditions returned to the South. Take-all damaged spots of some
fields. The crop matured a bit earlier than is normal. Yields
were slightly above average overall, but not particularly high.
Test weights were very inconsistent. One producer told of planting
two fields of the same cultivar on the same day in fields one
mile apart (about 1.6 km). One of the fields produced grain with
a test weight of 59 lbs/bu (76 kg/hl), whereas the other measured
53 lbs/bu (68 kg/hl).
Test weight research.
Barton Fogleman prepared and presented a series of papers on test
weight in soft red winter wheat to the Wheat Quality Council's
annual meeting in St. Louis, MO, and to the 42nd Research Review
Conference at Wooster, OH, in the spring of 1995. These papers
document and illustrate that test weight is a poor indicator of
SRWW flour yield or baking quality and that the reliance on a
test weight grading standard has a negative impact on the entire
SRWW industry. These papers also show that percentage flour yield
is a very reliable indicator of SRWW value, especially when combined
with a test weight measurement. The concerns of grain handlers,
millers, bakers, and exporters also are addressed. A limited number
of reprints of these papers are available to interested parties
on a `first-come, first-served' basis.
Rice-rotation research.
Yield trials were conducted to provide information on wheat cultivar
performance in rotation with rice. This was the first year (in
3 years of this research) that cultivars did not appear to be
affected by this rotation (probably because of the lack of any
winter pressure). This project will be continued and include segregating
populations to select for cultivar performance in this rotation.
No-till research: Yield
trials were conducted to provide information on wheat cultivar
performance in no-till plantings. Although we believe this to
be important research and we did observe a cultivar response to
no-till plantings, we will not continue this project until our
equipment is better suited for no-till planting.
Varietal releases. `AGRIPRO
MASON' (91D-2308) (Cardinal/C78318//Coker 9323) is
being released. Mason is well adapted to the states of Louisiana
and Arkansas; to the Delta and southern areas of the states of
Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia; to northern Florida; and to
the coastal plain area of South Carolina. Mason is a high-yielding,
strong-strawed, medium-height SRWW with early maturity. Mason
appears to be very cold-tolerant for a facultative or semifacultative
cultivar. The variety has resistance to the most prevalent races
of leaf rust and stem rust in the aforementioned regions. Mason
offers moderate resistance to Septoria leaf and glume blotches
and to the soilborne virus complex. Mason's juvenile plants
are susceptible to powdery mildew, but the adult plants are more
tolerant.
Steve Askelson, Senior Assistant Breeder; Jerry Brick, Research Assistant; Scott Seifert, Research Assistant; Tom Griess, Technician; and John Moffatt, Breeder; Berthoud, CO 80513, USA.
The 1994-95 crop season was dominated by an
unusually mild winter followed by an extended wet, cool spring
and summer in the southern Great Plains. Spring was punctuated
by at least two major freezes in the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma
and in western Kansas, resulting in major production losses in
those areas and high levels of frost-related lodging farther north.
The mild winter allowed wheat pests, such as greenbugs, oat bird
cherry aphids, and leaf rust, to overwinter and thrive in the
south. Aphids vectored BYDV to epidemic proportions in central
Texas and Oklahoma. In the same region, leaf rust built to epidemic
levels very early on previously resistant varieties (i.e., 2163).
Oklahoma also experienced major losses to root and crown rots.
During the late spring and early summer, many areas received more
than half of their average annual rainfall. The cool, wet conditions
were ideal for the buildup of foliar pathogens, such as Septoria
nodorum, Septoria tritici, and the tan spot fungus,
but were unfavorable for the continued development of leaf rust
into Kansas and Nebraska. As a result of the cool spring temperature,
crop development was delayed as much as 2 to 3 weeks past the
normal. The crop had to deal with high temperatures at finish
with little or no flag leaf remaining, resulting in generally
lower test weights. Exceptions were in northwest Kansas, southwest
Nebraska, and much of northeastern Colorado, where test weight
patterns were good.
We were able to harvest 7 of 20 yield-test locations,
with many locations lost to either hail or flooding. Three irrigated
sites averaged 72 bu/acre, with a range from 29 bu/acre (freeze
damage at Hugoton, KS) to 113 bu/acre at Berthoud, CO. Four continuous/fallow
cropping sites averaged 42 bu/acre, ranging from 36 bu/acre at
Salina, KS, to 68 bu/acre at Goodland, KS.
AgriPro Brand varieties `Rowdy'
and `Coronado' were released to our associate
system in 1995 and will be available to the farmer in the fall
of 1996. Rowdy, pedigree `(NDD 63/CO652643//Centurk/3/McNair
4823)/(Morocco/4/(F5#4) Era/Tobari//Lovrin 11/3/Mn6916 (C78-679)/5/Marshall//Hawk/Amigo/3/W87-171-7
(Mesa sib))', was tested formerly as W91-091. Rowdy is
a short semidwarf, with high test weight patterns and good irrigated-yield
performance. Rowdy has good resistance to the prevalent leaf rust
races and a usable level of field tolerance to wheat streak mosaic
virus. Coronado, pedigree `COMP76B-1-84-1 (bulk selection)/SW74-8A-47
(Blazer sib)//Mustang/F2 SPS 102 (bulk selection)', was
tested formerly as W91-287. Coronado also is a short semidwarf
with good performance across the southern Great Plains, but is
primarily adapted to the continuous wheat growing areas. Coronado
is resistant to both soilborne and spindle streak mosaic viruses
and has good resistance to the prevalent leaf rust races and Septoria.
Coronado is tolerant to the aluminum toxicity that is associated
with acid soils.
A new AgriPro Brand Hybrid, `AP 7510', was placed in an extensive `on-farm' growers test and was entered in selected university trials in Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, and South Dakota. AP 7510 also was entered in the 1994-95 Southern Regional Performance Nursery under the experimental designation WX92-0408. This hybrid topped the SRPN over locations and performed very well in our trials and in `on-farm' tests, both under irrigation and in continuous/ fallow cropping. The primary area of adaptation for AP 7510 is west, under irrigation, where it has shown a consistent 10+ bu/acre yield advantage over pureline, varietal wheats. AP 7510 also shows promise in higher-production dryland areas. AP 7510 is resistant to both soilborne and spindle streak mosaic viruses and has good resistance to the prevalent leaf rust races and Septoria and tan spot. AP 7510 has usable field tolerance to both the aluminum toxicity associated with acid soils and wheat streak mosaic virus.
Scott Jacobs, Research Technician; Krista Algien, Technician; Joe Smith, Director Hard Spring Wheat Research; and Blake Cooper, Hard Spring Wheat Breeder (US program); Berthoud,
CO 80513, USA.
The 1995 growing season began slowly, because of
excessive rainfall in the early spring that caused considerable
delays in planting. Often we seed our research plots after the
peak of the farm acres are in the ground. This year, we were planting
with the earliest of `on-farm' plantings because of
the delay. The season progressed about as well as could be expected,
given the late start. Some areas experienced slight drought conditions,
but these usually were not prolonged or very severe. Excessive
rain during, and for several weeks past anthesis, allowed Fusarium
head blight to develop in the crop. Harvest was somewhat spread
out. In general, a few acres of early maturity or early-seeded
wheats were harvested prior to a late rainy period, which in combination
with the delayed planting resulted in significant delays in completing
the bulk of the harvest. Our own plots were all harvested in a
timely fashion, but on several occasions, we just escaped storms
that caused long delays in fields just a few miles away. We had
a tendency to favor `later' phenotypes in our data
this year. We collected adequate data on yield, test weight, and
protein from the following locations: Groton, SD (test site conducted
by Dr. Jackie Rudd, SDSU); Breckenridge, MN; Casselton, ND; Borup,
MN; Fisher, MN; and Park River, ND. Other agronomic and pathology
notes were taken when observed. A new pest, the `orange blossom
wheat midge' was observed at both of the latter locations
and in demonstration plots at Munich, ND. We are quite concerned
about the potential losses that this pest could produce if it
becomes established. (We would be interested in establishing cooperative
exchanges of germplasm, screening, etc., with anyone working on
the orange blossom wheat midge.)
The 1995 growing season was the third consecutive
season in which FHB was a problem in the Red River Valley production
area of the northern Great Plains. From our observations, the
extent and severity of FHB infection were both less than in 1994
and certainly less when compared to 1993, largely because of slightly
drier and sunnier weather than during the previous two seasons.
However, enough FHB certainly was present at several of our experimental
test locations to allow the selection for more tolerant types
to continue. Having had the `luxury' of three consecutive
seasons with FHB, we have managed to identify lines within our
existing breeding program that have levels of tolerance at least
as good as or better than that of `2375'. The continuing
selection to this disease will be a critical factor in identifying
lines with superior tolerance. To ensure that we can continue
to select against FHB, we have started construction of a misting
system in our greenhouses where we should be able to screen several
hundred lines each year under controlled conditions. Crosses with
`Sumai #3' are now in the F6:F7.
Among our existing products, we continue to see excellent
performance with our newly released cultivars Lars, Hamer, and
Norlander. Lars is a medium-maturity, short semidwarf with a very
high yield potential, average test weight, and medium-low protein
content. Lars has excellent resistance to foliar diseases, and
Fusarium blight resistance is slightly better than average. We
are recommending Lars for high fertility situations in the valley
(i.e., after potatoes or beans). Hamer is a medium-maturity, intermediate-height,
semidwarf full-sister to Lars, which has slightly less yield potential,
but better test weight and protein content. Hamer has tolerance
to Fusarium comparable with that of 2375 and foliar disease protection
almost as good as that of Lars. We are recommending Hamer for
higher stress acres (i.e., after sugarbeets or sunflowers) both
in the valley and to the west. Norlander is an early maturity,
intermediate-height semidwarf with good yield potential and medium
test weight and protein content. Norlander is slightly below average
in response to tan spot (~ Grandin, 2375, etc.) and also is slightly
below average in its reaction to FHB (~ Kulm). We are positioning
Norlander for the southern and western parts of the region.
We are very excited about a new line, `Gunner',
which will go to associate growers in 1996 and farmers in 1997.
Gunner was developed in our Canadian breeding program in cooperation
with United Grain Growers. Gunner is a medium-late to late maturity,
intermediate-height semidwarf with average yield potential, exceptionally
high test weight patterns(> Sharp), and grain protein approaching
the level of `Gus'. Gunner has excellent foliar disease
resistance and has shown superior levels of tolerance to Fusarium
head blight. It will be recommended primarily for the northern
third of the valley (and west) especially after beet or sunflowers
or following wheat or where foliar disease or FHB may be severe.
Midwest soft red winter wheat research.
Koy E. Miskin, Curtis L. Beazer, C. Eugene Glover, and Dayna L. Scruggs, Brookston, IN USA.
The 1994-95 planting season was good, with
adequate moisture in most of the midwest SRWW region. The long,
warm fall resulted in rather high aphid populations, and a high
level of BYDV infection was observed in the spring. Winter (November-February)
temperatures were unusually warm, about 4.2_F. above normal, and
conditions were slightly drier than normal. March had many days
above 70_F. Soilborne mosaic virus and take-all symptoms were
reported widely and were severe, especially in the northern areas.
In April, wheat looked good, and Ohio Valley farmers were expecting
a bumper crop. However, heavy rains during most of May resulted
in extreme head scab, and the bumper crop disappeared. Many Ohio
Valley farmers plowed their wheat crop down and planted soybeans
because head scab was so severe. There were many horror stories
at harvest of low test weight wheat.
The continuous, widespread rain throughout May made
this a good year for observing head scab. Head scab susceptibility
often appears to be related to maturity, and it is often stated
that no resistance exists in the current, adapted SRWW varieties.
We have believed for several years, and are now certain, that
significant differences in resistance to head scab exist in current
SRWW varieties. Whether this is true genetic resistance, some
sort of escape mechanism, or tolerance, we do not know. The differences
may not be large, but they are certainly significant. To observe
the differences, one must collect data and then compare varieties
within maturities for a few varieties (Table 1).
AGRIPRO `Elkhart'
(ABI90*7546) (Auburn/GR855) is a new, high-yielding, early-maturing,
large-kerneled, awned, medium-tall, SRWW variety with strong
straw. Agripro Elkhart has high test weight, 1 lb/bu above Cardinal,
and excellent preharvest sprouting resistance and provides very
good resistance to leaf rust, stem rust, head and leaf blight,
powdery mildew, and soilborne viruses. The variety also has the
H6 gene for Hessian fly resistance. Milling and baking
quality are very good. Agripro Elkhart is best adapted to the
states from Missouri to eastern Pennsylvania and from Tennessee
to Michigan. Plant Variety Protection has been applied for, and
Agripro Elkhart may be sold by variety name only as a class of
certified seed. For additional information call Agripro Seeds,
Inc., at 1-800-858-4603.
Table 1. Differences among wheat cultivars in heading date at different locations in the midwest.
`Head date' is days from 1 January, at Brookston, IN.
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St Sulli- Brooks- Find-
Head Carm Joseph Pana van ton Ans. ley
Variety Date IL IL IL IN IN OH OH Mean
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Clark 138 5 3 7 0 0 3 6 3.4
Pontiac 138 2 0 2 0 0 1 2 1.0
Ernie 139 2 0 3 0 0 1 2 1.1
Sawyer 139 3 0 2 0 0 2 5 1.7
Elkhart 139 5 5 7 0 3 4 4 4.0
Caldwel 139 4 0 4 0 0 7 8 3.3
Madison 140 4 5 6 0 0 4 5 3.4
Pi 2548 140 2 5 2 0 0 2 2 1.9
93*7386 140 6 5 5 0 6 3 6 4.4
Boone 141 5 5 7 0 4 5 7 4.7
Jackson 141 3 0 3 0 0 2 7 2.1
Grant 142 7 0 7 0 0 8 7 4.1
Clemens 142 4 0 5 0 0 3 2 2.0
93-6083 143 3 0 4 6 0 3 5 3.0
Cardina 143 2 0 1 0 0 2 2 1.0
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