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.