VARIETAL TRIALS OF SELECTED FARM CROPS - 1990 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 factors affecting yield and other characteristics are as nearly the same for all varieties at each location as is possible. Variety Classifications Varieties of many of the evaluated crops are classed into four groups: "recommended varieties," "varieties not adequately tested," "other varieties," and "privately developed varieties." Some crops have further groupings within these categories. Varietal descriptions are alphabetical within groups. The classifications of varieties as "recommended," "other" and "private" are determined each year by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station crop variety review committee. A variety is usually not eligible for the "recommended" group unless it has been better than other varieties in important characteristics in three 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." Available information is presented for these varieties ' but no conclusions are drawn regarding their suitability for Minnesota conditions. Varieties listed in the "other" category are usually inferior in one or more characteristics, as demonstrated in comparative tests. Varieties in the "private" category are good performing varieties, on which the experiment station makes no recommendations. Seed of varieties in 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 1990 Planting. This publication can be obtained without charge from the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, 1900 Hendon Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, or from county extension offices. Interpreting the Tables The LSD (Least Significant Difference) figures listed under the yield columns in the tables are statistical measures of variability within the trials. This statistic shows whether the difference between two yields is due to a 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, the yield difference was probably due to environmental rather than varietal differences. The 5 percent significance level used in this report indicates that in only 1 time out of 20 will the yield differences reported be achieved by chance, the remaining times the reported differences should be real. These trials are not designed for comparisons between crop species, because the various crops are grown on different fields or with different management. 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 and Researchers Authors of the wheat section: R.H. Busch (hard red spring). Information on the reaction of varieties to specific pathogens was largely provided by individuals of the Department of Plant Pathology: A.P. Roelfs (wheat); D.V. McVey (wheat). 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.