VARIETAL TRIALS OF FARM CROPS - 1978 Successful crop production depends to a considerable extent on selecting the best varieties for a particular farm. To provide a basis for the selection of varieties, the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station compares varieties in trial plots. These trials are conducted on the Agricultural Experiment Stations at St. Paul, Rosemount, Waseca, Lamberton, Morris, Crookston, Grand Rapids, and Becker, and on farmers' fields. Recommended varieties, important old varieties, and new varieties are grown in replicated plots at each location. These plots are handled so that the factors affecting yield and other characteristics are as nearly the same for all varieties at each location as is possible. On the basis of these comparative trials, the list of varieties recommended for use in Minnesota is revised each year by the Experiment Station Crop Variety Review Committee. Data for varieties not included in all trials averaged within a table have been adjusted so that averages of varieties tested for different numbers of years can be compared directly. The LSD (Least Significant Difference) figures listed under the yield columns in the tables are statistical measures of variability within the trials. This statistic is used to determine whether the difference between two yields is due to genetic difference in the varieties or to other causes such as soil variability. If the yield difference between two varieties equals or exceeds the LSD, one can conclude that the higher yielding variety was superior in yield. If the difference is less than the LSD, the yield difference was probably due to environmental rather than varietal differences. The 5 percent significance level used in this report is based on odds of 19 to 1 that yields differing by the amount of the LSD were truly different. For crops where recommendations are made, varietal descriptions are arranged in order of "recommended varieties," "varieties not adequately tested," and "other varieties," and in alphabetical order within each group. Recommended varieties have performed better than other varieties in important characteristics in comparative tests. A variety usually is not eligible for recommendation until it has been tested in Minnesota for at least 3 years. New varieties from other public experiment stations and private plant breeders but not sufficiently evaluated here are listed as "not adequately tested." Information now available regarding these varieties is presented but no conclusions are drawn regarding their suitability under Minnesota conditions. Varieties listed in the "other varieties" category are usually inferior in one or more characteristics, as demonstrated in comparative tests. These trials are designed for variety and not crop (species) comparisons, because the various crops were grown on different fields or with different management. The data should only be used to compare varieties within a table. Relative maturities of varieties are indicated in the tables as date mature, heading, or blooming; days to mature, heading, or blooming; or moisture percentage at harvest. Yields of some forage crops are given in pounds or tons of dry matter per acre. To convert to hay yield at 15 percent moisture (85 percent dry matter), divide the figure given by 0.85. To convert to haylage yield at 55 percent moisture (45 percent dry matter), divide by 0.45. The use of certified seed of recommended varieties is suggested. Varieties eligible for certification by the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association include varieties recommended by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, certain new varieties not adequately tested in Minnesota, and certain nonrecommended varieties. Certification does not imply recommendation. Registered and certified seed of most varieties described in this report can be purchased from seed dealers or from growers listed in the Minnesota Registered and Certified Seed Directory for 1978 Planting. This annual publication can be obtained without charge from the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, 1900 Hendon Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, or from county extension agents' offices. Authors of the following sections are: hard red spring wheat, F.A. Elsayed; Extension agronomists D.R. Hicks and R.L. Thompson also participated in preparing this publication. Information on the reaction of varieties to specific pathogens was largely obtained by the following members of the Department of Plant Pathology: D.V. McVey, wheat; A.P. Roelfs, barley, oat, and wheat; P.G. Rothman, oat; R.D. Wilcoxson, barley, wheat, and oat. Field work of the varietal trials at Waseca, Lamberton, Morris, Crookston, and Grand Rapids was supervised by W.E. Lueschen, J.H. Ford, D.D. Warnes, L.J. Smith, and D.L. Rabas, respectively.