For Crop Production 1999 HARD RED SPRING WHEAT VARIETY TRIALS Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station - University of Minnesota Revised January 1999 This is a report on results of hard red spring wheat variety tests conducted by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. It was prepared by research geneticists Robert H. Busch (612-625-1975; ) and James A. Anderson (612-625-9763; ), Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108. Successful production of hard red spring wheat depends to a considerable extent on selecting the best varieties for a particular farm, with particular attention given to a variety's susceptibility to scab. For that reason, varieties are compared in trial plots on Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station fields at Waseca, Lamberton, Morris, Crookston, Stephen, Roseau, and St. Paul, and on the fields of cooperating farmers. Wheat 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. Scab epidemics in the hard red spring wheat growing areas of the state have demonstrated the clear need to give greater weight to selecting varieties for their tolerance to this devastating disease. Consequently, only newly released varieties where reaction to scab has not been well documented, and older varieties with scab ratings better than susceptible, are tested and described. Variety Classifications The Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station no longer makes recommendations for hard red spring wheat varieties. The basis on which recommendations were made in the past is no longer considered appropriate because of the severity of scab epidemics. Seed Sources Seed of some tested and other hard red spring wheat varieties may be eligible for certification, and the use of certified seed is suggested. However, certification does not imply recommendation. Table 4 lists possible wheat seed sources included in the Minnesota Registered and Certified Seed Directory for 1999 Planting (available without charge from the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, 1900 Hendon Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108; 612-625-7766 or 800-510-6242). Interpreting the Tables Tested varieties are listed in the order of their maturity. Scab evaluations provide severity ratings, based on visual spread of the disease on the spike and tolerance scores, which reflect the variety's ability to maintain plump seed. These ratings should be considered together to reduce risk of loss. The use of more than one variety to provide different days to heading and to use different seeding dates is highly recommended to reduce risk. Variety descriptions do not provide information on scab resistance; table information should be used. The LSD (Least Significant Difference) values associated with the data in table 3 are measures of variability within the trials. If a yield difference between two varieties within a single column exceeds the LSD value at the bottom, you can assume that the higher yielding variety was truly better 95 percent of the time. If the difference is less than the LSD, greater attention should be given to other traits which are important in making your variety choices. Acknowledgements, Permissions and Caveats Information on hard red spring wheat variety reactions to specific pathogens was: to scab by Ruth Dill-Macky, Department of Plant Pathology; to leaf and stem rust by Donald McVey, USDA-ARS Cereal Disease Lab. Fieldwork for wheat trials was supervised by John Wiersma, Jochum Wiersma, George Nelson, Gregg Johnson, Dave Legare and Paul Porter. Information on milling and baking quality was provided by Gary Hareland, USDA-ARS Hard Red Spring and Duram Quality Lab, Fargo, North Dakota. Publication project chair is Leland L. Hardman, professor, Agronomy and Plant Genetics. Web product manager for extension communications is Larry A. Etkin, senior editor. The University of Minnesota, including the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation. The information in this report is presented under authority granted the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, by the Hatch Act of 1887, to conduct performance trials on farm crops and interpret data to the public. Permission is granted to reproduce tables only in their entirety, without rearrangement, manipulation or reinterpretation. Permission is also granted to reproduce a maturity group sub-table provided that complete table headings and footnotes are included. Reproductions should credit the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station as its source. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is also available in alternative formats upon request. Contact the Distribution Center, 20 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul MN 55108-6069, (800) 876-8636. Produced in the Communication and Educational Technology Services unit of the University of Minnesota Extension Service.