To: Persons interested in the performance of small grains varieties in New
 York.
 	Enclosed are the results of our 1996 small grains regional trials and
 the cumulative summaries over years.  Because the rankings of the varieties
 and lines often change from year to year, only the multiple year summaries
 should be considered to be useful indicators of varietal performance in this
 region.  Reproduction of any table in this report must include the entire
 table unless we approve the editing.  The information herein is provided with
 the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by
 Cornell University or its employees is implied.	 Your comments and
 suggestions concerning this report are welcome.  If you would like additional
 information or do not wish to receive this report in the future, feel free to
 call or write.
 	This year Mr. Alan Neiss is retiring after 25 years of managing the
 small grains technical operations.  His dedication, talent, and hard work
 have been the basis and driving force behind the progress we have made in
 recent years.  We wish him the very best in retirement.
 
 Sincerely,
 
 
 Mark E. Sorrells
 Professor of Plant Breeding
 
 Testing Procedures:
 	In 1996, the Soft White Winter Wheat, Red Winter Wheat and the Spring
 Oat regional trials were grown in four locations while the Spring Barley
 regionals were grown in three locations.  The wheat and oat trials near
 Ithaca consisted of 2 replicates while those out in the state consisted of 3
 replicates.  All spring barley trials had 3 replicates.  All trial plots are
 6 row plots 4 meters long with 18 cm between rows.  Prior to harvest, the
 plots are trimmed to 3 meters and harvested with a plot combine.  Disease and
 lodging notes were recorded on a 0 to 9 scale with 0 being the best and 9 the
 poorest.  All trials are planted in a randomized complete block design and
 analyzed by standard ANOVA.  If there are indications of within replicate
 field variation a second ANOVA using a nearest-neighbor adjustment is
 computed based on the nearest 8-plot mean.  If the coefficient of variation
 is reduced and the variance due to genotypes the same or increased, those
 adjusted means are used for the summary.  All trials are fertilized according
 to soil test recommendations for small grains.  Winter grains generally
 receive a top dress of 38 kg/h (34 lbs/a) of actual N in the spring.
 
 Temperature and Precipitation - Ithaca Area: The winter grains trials were
 planted between September 19th and the 29th and the spring grains were
 planted on April 20 and 24 near Ithaca and between May 17th and 20th in
 western NY.  In April and May we received nearly double the normal amount of
 precipitation resulting in delayed planting of spring grains and slower
 growth of winter grains.  The moist conditions during flowering were
 associated with increased incidence of fusarium head blight in many parts of
 the state.  The cool spring temperatures were conducive to the development of
 Wheat Spindle Streak Moasic virus symptoms as reflected in the higher virus
 symptoms ratings.  Cooler than normal temperatures prior to harvest increased
 the level of grain dormancy and reduced damage due to sprouting.
 
 Acknowledgments: Our testing program depends on being able to test new
 varieties in the areas where they will be grown under actual farming
 conditions.  We gratefully acknowledge the farmers who have provided us with
 a test site for our regional trials.  Without their support we would not be
 able to provide accurate, unbiased test results.  Extension specialists Nate
 Harendeen and Jim Capron have been instrumental in arranging test sites,
 field days, and information distribution.  Also, we thank Drs. Gary C.
 Bergstrom, William J. Cox, and William D. Pardee, extension faculty in the
 Departments of Plant Pathology, Soils Crops and Atmospheric Sciences, and
 Plant Breeding for their excellent cooperation and support.
 
 
 CORNELL    New York State College of Agriculture & Life Science
 UNIVERSITY   Department of Plant Breeding & Biometry
 
 252 Emerson Hall, Ithaca, N.Y.  14853-1902
 Fax (Dept.):  (607) 255-6683
 Telephone:  (607) 255-1665 or 255-8092
 E-Mail:  mes12@cornell.edu