Introduction

Spring wheat varieties are compared in trial plots at Waseca, Lamberton, 
Morris, Crookston, Stephen, Roseau, and St. Paul. Wheat varieties are grown 
in replicated plots at each location, and plots are handled so that the 
factors affecting yield and other characteristics are as nearly the  same for 
all varieties at each location as possible. These hard red spring wheat 
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.  Tested hard red 
spring wheat varieties are listed in the order of their flowering date in the 
tables and year of release within variety categories. Only new varieties or 
those varieties with better than susceptible reaction to scab are being 
tested.

Variety Selection Criteria

Although all data presented should be considered when choosing wheat 
varieties, 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. Scab evaluations 
include disease severity, based on visual spread of the disease on the spike 
and grain soundness, which reflects the variety's ability to maintain plump, 
sound kernels. These ratings should be considered together to reduce risk of 
loss. Use of more than one variety to provide different days to heading and 
use of different seeding dates is highly recommended to reduce risk.  Variety 
descriptions do not provide information on scab resistance; table information 
should be used.


Hard Red Spring Wheat Planting Rate

Calculating and seeding the appropriate amount of seed is an important first 
step to-wards maximizing yield. The seeding rate is a function of the number 
of kernels per pound of seed, the percent germination of the lot, the 
expected stand loss as a function of the quality of seedbed, and the desired 
stand.  In Minnesota, an average optimum stand for hard red spring wheat when 
planted early is between 28 to 30 plants per square foot or approximately 
1.25 million plants per acre. This number should increase by 1 to 2 plants 
per square foot for every week planting is delayed past the early, optimum 
seeding date. Expected stand loss even under good seedbed conditions is 
between 10 to 20% and will increase with a poor seedbed or improper seed 
placement due to poor depth control.  The general formula for calculating a 
seeding rate is: 
Seeding Rate (lbs/A) = Desired Stand in Plants/Acre (1 + Expected Stand Loss)
			----------------------------------------------------
			      [(Seeds/Pound) (Percentage Germination)]

Calculate the seeding rate for every single seed lot and calibrate the drill 
accordingly.


Example: Early variety.

Desired Stand, 	Expected 	Seeds per 	Percentage 	Seeding Rate,
Plants/Acre 	Stand Loss 	Pound 		Germination 	Lb/Acre
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.25 million 	0.20 		14,000		0.95 		113
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------