TRIGEN SEED SERVICES LLC

8024 Telegraph Road, Bloomington, MN 55438, USA; and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Robert W. Romig, Daniel R. Romig, and Hector E. Lerner.

We had heavy disease pressure in our 1997 nurseries, which again allowed for effective selection. In our Texas nursery near San Antonio, we had a high severity of leaf rust, including a new race that was virulent on materials that had previously been resistant. In Minnesota and Argentina, scab infection was high so it was easy to discard unacceptable types from the program. However, we are continuing with experimental lines that show promise in both these locations.

The yields of the best performing entries in trials in Argentina, Minnesota, Texas, and Washington were significantly higher than yields of the best checks. Many of these are spring wheats derived from crosses of 'winter x spring' wheats. Naturally, these are continuing in trial and are in preliminary increases.

We currently have increased production of four winter and three spring wheat varietal candidates growing in our Texas nursery. Two HRWW candidates also are being increased in the Columbia Basin of Washington, and we plan two HRSW increases there in 1998.

The introduction of the Minnesota spring wheat variety Nonn in south Texas was begun successfully in the 1997 season. Yields and test weights from production fields averaged 62 bu/A and 60 lb/bu, respectively. These results are very encouraging, because farmers have been harvesting winter wheat in the 37-42 bu/A range. However, the 1998 season will be important in assessing the relative performance of the two classes of wheat in the area, because soil moisture during the winter has been excellent.

The spring wheat variety Verde, developed by Pioneer and released by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, also is well adapted in south Texas. Verde is slightly earlier than Norm, has a better reaction to leaf diseases, and has a slight yield advantage. If the performance in production fields lives up to expectations, we will introduce Verde for the 1998-99 crop season.

We think that spring wheat offers farmers in south Texas valuable operational options, because of the later date of planting. Among these are better use of soil moisture; improved control of insect, weed; and disease pests; and flexibility for double cropping. Our data suggest that farmers also can expect to harvest higher yields of hard red wheat with varieties of spring growth habit.

Plans are in place to promote spring wheat in south Texas, including fostering interest in this class of wheat for export. Typically, spring wheat has had a higher protein in our trials than winter wheat, and perhaps farmers will realize a premium for higher protein. However, the local milling market is aimed mainly at providing an all-purpose, family flour.