Small Grains Variety Evaluation
at the Maricopa Agricultural Center, 1994
M. J. Ottman and G. Hareland
Introduction
------------
Small grain varieties were tested at the Maricopa Agricultural Center as part
of the on-going effort to assess variety productivity and characteristics.
Barley, durum, and wheat experimental and commercial cultivars were tested.
The purpose of the annual tests at Maricopa is to characterize new varieties
in a general way in terms of yield potential, relative maturity, quality, and
other characteristics. The variety trials at Maricopa do not substitute for
localized on-farm testing of new varieties. Varieties are known to differ in
their response to specific management regimes and weather conditions. A
summary of small grain variety trials conducted by the University of Arizona
is available from your local Cooperative Extension office.
Procedure
---------
Barley, durum, and wheat varieties were evaluated at the Maricopa Agricultural
Center on Field 1, borders 49-51. The soil type was a Casa Grande sandy loam.
The field was fallow the previous summer. Preplant soil nitrate was 11.5 ppm
NO3-N and preplant soil phosphate was 18 ppm P. The field was pre irrigated
and urea (46-0-0) was broadcast and incorporated preplant at a rate of 50 lbs
N/A. Seed was planted into moist soil on November 23 and 24, 1993. The seed
was planted with a cone planter in seven rows spaced 11 inches apart. The
seeding rate was 22 seeds per foot of row or approximately 105 pounds of seed
per acre. The plots were 7.5 ft. x 19 ft. The experimental design was a
randomized complete block design with 25 entries and 6 replications for the
barley and wheat and 30 entries and 5 replications for the durum.
The plots were irrigated on January 24, February 24, March 10, March 21, April
4, April 18, and May 9. Urea ammonium nitrate solution (32-0-0) was applied
in the irrigation water at a rate of 50 lbs N/A on January 24 and February 24,
20 lbs N/A on March 10, and 15 lbs N/A on March 21. A total of 185 lbs N/A
was applied, 50 lbs preplant and 135 lbs postplant. The plots were harvested
with a small plot combine on the following dates: wheat on May 19, barley on
May 24 and June 2, and durum on June 2. The following data was collected:
grain yield, plant height, lodging, heading date, anthesis date, and
physiological maturity date (defined when glumes turn color). Wheat quality
was analyzed by the USDA Wheat Quality Lab in Fargo, ND. Durum kernel and
milling characteristics are being analyzed by the California Wheat Commision
Lab in Woodland, CA and pasta characteristics are being analyzed by the USDA
Wheat Quality Lab in Fargo, ND.
Discussion
-----------
Yield and plant characteristics are presented in Table 1. This trial
represents one set of conditions. No definite conclusions are intended to be
made from this data since varieties are known to be greatly affected by
environmental conditions. The environmental conditions for this test were
unique as usual. The growing season weather was relatively dry and cool at
night. Cold night temperatures during the winter seemed to slow barley growth
more than wheat or durum. Heading dates were a few days later compared to
previous years. Warm weather shortened the grain fill period of the wheat by
nearly one week, but not of barley and durum. Growing conditions favored the
wheat and durum as grain yields demonstrate. Very high levels of yellow berry
were noted in the durum despite adequate nitrogen fertility status indicated
by leaf color and past history of nitrogen fertilization. The results of this
trial are useful when combined with data from other years.
Acknowledgements
----------------
Financial support for this project was received from the Arizona Crop
Improvement Association, Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council, Arizona
Plant Breeders, Farmers Marketing Corporation, and Western Plant Breeders.