VARIETAL TRIALS OF FARM CROPS - 1986 Successful crop production depends to a considerable extent on selecting the best varieties for a particular farm. For that reason, varieties are compared in trial plots on Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station fields at St. Paul, Rosemount, Waseca, Lamberton, Morris, Crookston, Grand Rapids, and Becker, and on farmers, fields. 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. Varieties of many of the crops are classed into three groups: "recommended varieties," "varieties not adequately tested, "and other varieties. "For these crops, the varietal descriptions are arranged in alphabetical order within the groups. The classifications of varieties as "recommended varieties" and "other varieties" are determined each year by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station Crop Variety Review Committee. A variety is not usually eligible for the "recommended varieties" group unless it has been better than other varieties in important characteristics in 3 years of testing. New varieties from other public experiment stations and private plant breeders but not sufficiently evaluated here are listed as "varieties 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. Varieties of all three groups may be eligible for certification, and the use of certified seed is suggested. However, 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 1986 Planting. This annual publication can be obtained without charge from the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, 1900 Hendon Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, or from county extension agents' offices. 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. 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. But use of the LSD for these comparisons is not valid. These trials are not designed for crop (species) comparisons, because the various crops are 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. Authors of the crop sections are: R.H. Busch (wheat - durum, hard red spring, and winter); Extension agronomist L. L. Hardman and assistant extension specialist P.R. Montgomery are other members of the committee for this publication. Information on the reaction of varieties to specific pathogens was largely obtained by the following members of the Department of Plant Pathology; A.P. Roelfs (wheat); D.V. McVeyand J.H. Schafer(wheat). Field work of the varietal trials at Waseca, Lamberton, Morris, Crookston-Stephen, and Grand Rapids was supervised by W.E. Lueschen, J.H. Ford, D.D. Warnes, J.V. Wiersma, and D.L. Rabas, respectively. Data from this report may be quoted or published in either complete or modified form provided that the data are not chosen to distort conclusions.