VARIETAL TRIALS OF SELECTED FARM CROPS 1993 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 throughout the state. 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. Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station scientists are not currently conducting performance trials for many crops which were included in previous editions of this publication. For those who want the most recent reports of tests or additional production information, a contact address and/or alternate publication source is indicated under each crop heading. 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 arranged alphabetically within groups. Table entries are generally arranged either in alphabetical order within groups and subgroups, or according to a scoring standard relating to quality, maturity or yield. Where a section has more than one table, order of arrangement will generally be the same in each. 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 that have not been 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 growing conditions. Listings in an "other varieties" 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 MAES does not make recommendations. Seed of "private," "other" and "not adequately tested" varieties 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 1993 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 offices. Interpreting the Tables The LSD (Least Significant Difference) figures listed under the yield columns in many 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 value listed at the bottom of a yield column, it can be concluded that the higher yielding variety was superior. If the difference is less, the variation was probably due to environmental rather than varietal differences. The notation "NS" in a column indicates no significant difference exists for that characteristic. 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 variously indicated in the tables as date of maturity, heading or blooming, days to maturity, heading or blooming; or moisture percentage at harvest. Authors and Researchers - Authors of the crop section is: R.H. Busch (durum, hard red spring, and winter wheat. Information on the reaction of varieties to specific pathogens was largely obtained by these members of the Department of Plant Pathology: A.P. Roelfs and D.V. McVey. Field work for 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.