UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION SERVICE
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55108
2002 Wheat Performance in Minnesota
SPRING WHEAT
James Anderson and Jochum Wiersma
The results of the state yield trials are summarized in Tables 1,
2, and 3. In addition to the state yield trials, the results of
the Red River On-Farm Yield Trials are also included. For the
yield trials, the average yield of southern testing locations
(St. Paul, Waseca, Lamberton and Morris) was 46 bushels per acre
in 2002. This compares to an average of 61 bushels per acre in
2001 and a three-year average of 56 bushels per acre. The
northern locations (Crookston and Stephen) averaged 55 bushels
per acre in 2002 compared to 52 bushels last year and a three-
year average of 54 bushels per acre for Crookston, Stephen, and
Roseau.
Table 1 presents the relative grain yield of tested varieties in
1, 2, and 3-year comparisons. Across all locations, `Mercury',
`Dandy, and `Oxen' were the highest yielding cultivars this past
year. In both the two and the three-year comparisons, `Oxen' and
`Mercury' are the top yielding cultivars both across the state as
well as in the southern locations. In 2002, `Oxen' and `Dandy'
were the highest yielding varieties across the south. In the
northern locations, `Mercury', `McKenzie', and `Ivan' were among
the highest yielding cultivars in 2002. In 3-year comparisons,
`Mercury' again is the highest yielding variety in the north.
Grain yield is an important economic trait but return per acre is
also a function of the grain quality of the bushels produced.
Varietal characteristics are presented in Tables 2 and 3. Most
values are three-year (1999-2001) averages. Fusarium Head Blight
(FHB) or scab can reduce grain quality and yield dramatically,
and thus is an important consideration. The foliar disease
rating represents the total complex of leaf diseases other than
leaf rust, and includes Septoria and tan spot. Although
varieties may differ for their response to each of those
diseases, the rating does not differentiate among them.
Therefore, the rating should be used as a general indication and
only for varietal selection in areas where these diseases
historically have been a problem or if the previous crop is wheat
or barley. Control of leaf diseases with fungicides may be
warranted, even for those varieties with an above average rating.
The varietal response to FHB is presented as a severity rating
similar to the rating for leaf and stem rust. The resistance to
spread in the head is the basis for this severity rating and is
one of the resistance mechanisms to the disease. In addition, a
second rating is provided to characterize the ability of a
variety to maintain sound, plump kernels despite visual disease
symptoms on the head. This ability to maintain sound kernels and
thus, test weight is another component to resistance.
Variety selection for 2002 is a balance among yield potential,
disease responses, and grain quality. Leading varieties, based
on acres planted, in Minnesota include `Oxen' and `Alsen'. New
releases for this year include both public and private varieties.
South Dakota State University released `Briggs' and Western Plant
Breeders released `Granite'. Briggs looks very promising at this
time and further testing will have to prove whether this SDSU
release can replace `Oxen'. `Granite' is a very late maturing
cultivar that has excellent straw strength and a both a high test
weight and grain protein percentage. There is insufficient data
to reliably rate the variety's response to FHB at this time.
Of the recent releases, `Mercury' continues to impress with a
high yield potential across the whole region. However,
`Mercury's' very poor rating for FHB makes this variety less
suited for Minnesota producers. `Oxen' remains a stable, high
yielding variety with good grain quality but a tendency to medium
to medium-low test weight. After two years of testing in
Minnesota, SDSU's `Walworth' has shown an excellent yield
potential but its straw strength remains below par for Minnesota
growing conditions. `Reeder' and `Norpro' have proven themselves
as excellent varieties that combine grain quality and grain
yield. `Alsen' is an excellent replacement for `P2375' and one
of the best hedges against FHB.