1992 MISSOURI WINTER WHEAT PERFORMANCE TESTS
K. D. Kephart, A. L. McKendry, D. N. Tague, J. E. Berg and C. L.
Hoenshell
University of Missouri-Columbia
Introduction
Genetic improvement of wheat varieties has contributed about 40 to 50
percent of the total improvement in wheat yields attained over the
past 40 years. Both public and private wheat breeding programs are
constantly striving towards greater yield potential, improved quality
and better host plant resistance to disease and insect pests in the
new varieties released for commercial production. Wheat growers are
reluctant to adopt new varieties without adequate information
concerning adaptation and performance. The objective of the Missouri
Winter Wheat Performance Tests is to provide wheat growers in Missouri
with a reliable, unbiased, up-to-date source of information that will
permit valid comparisons among improved wheat varieties. This
information should help Missouri wheat growers select varieties best
suited to their particular area and growing conditions. This report
summarizes soft and hard red winter wheat variety trials conducted
throughout Missouri during the 1991-92 cropping season.
Variety Testing Procedures
Locations
---------
The soft red winter wheats were planted at seven locations throughout
the state (Fig. 1) including Portageville and Charleston in the
southeast, Mt. Vernon and Lamar in the southwest and Columbia, Novelty
and in Grundy County near Trenton in the northern region of the state.
The hard red winter wheats were planted at four sites including
Columbia, Mt. Vernon, Novelty and Grundy County.
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+--------------------+
\ Trenton Novelty
> * * \
\ \
\ \
| Columbia V\
| * |
| <
| \
| \
| * Lamar \
| * Mt. Vernon *< Charleston
| >
+----------------------, /
/ */ Portageville
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Figure 1. Missouri winter wheat test locations in 1993.
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Entries and Seed Sources
------------------------
In 1992, 62 soft red and 13 hard red winter wheats were tested in
Missouri. The soft red winter wheats were comprised of 16 public
varieties, 10 public experimental entries and 36 proprietary
varieties. The hard red winter wheats were comprised of 7 public
varieties, 1 public experimental entry and 5 proprietary varieties.
Public varieties adapted to Missouri growing conditions or recommended
by the state of origin were entered into the appropriate variety test.
Numbered entries preceded by a state designation (eg. MO10501, FL8172-
G98-L5) are experimental lines provided by the foundation seed
organization or wheat breeder of the originating state. Named public
varieties were acquired from the foundation seed organization of the
originating state or from the University of Missouri Foundation Seed
Program. Names of proprietary entries evaluated in 1992 and their
seed sources are listed in Table 1. Proprietary entries are submitted
for testing on a fee basis by their owners or sponsors.
Experimental Design and Seeding Methods
---------------------------------------
Each soft red winter wheat experiment was planted using a 8x8 lattice
design with four replications. Hard red winter wheats were arranged
in a randomized complete block design replicated 4 times. Test plots
consisted of a 15 foot, 6-row plot with 7-inch row spacing. All
entries were seeded at approximately 1.5 million seeds per acre,
roughly equivalent to seeding 1.5 bushels per acre. Actual seeding
rates were calculated from the thousand kernel weights determined for
each entry (Table 2) and varied from 75 to 137 pounds per acre.
Except for the Grundy County location, all entries were seeded 1.25 to
1.5" into conventional seedbeds using an experimental plot drill
equipped with double-disk openers. At the Grundy County site, all
entries were seeded directly into soybean stubble using a plot drill
equipped with Acraplant(Tm)no-till openers.
Agronomic Practices
-------------------
Basic agronomic practices are given in Table 3 by location. Planting
dates were based on Hessian fly-free dates recommended for each
location. Nitrogen was applied in split fall/spring applications.
Spring nitrogen applications were generally made after initial green
up. Preplant phosphorous and potassium applications were based on
soil test recommendations provided by the University of Missouri Soil
Testing Laboratory located at Columbia.
Description of Data Collected
Yield
-----
All rows of each test plot were trimmed 38 inches and harvested using
an experimental plot combine. Recorded grain yields were adjusted to
13% grain moisture content, and are reported in bushels per acre based
on a 60 pound per bushel test weight. In addition to yields obtained
in 1992, two (1991-92) and three (1990-92) year averages are provided
for both soft red and hard red winter wheat entries tested during
previous cropping seasons. Four (1989-92) year averages also are
provided for soft red winter wheat entries previously tested.
Test Weight and Harvest Moisture
--------------------------------
Test weight (pounds per bushel) and percent grain moisture content
were obtained for each plot using a Dickey-john GAC II grain analyzer.
Grain Protein Content
---------------------
Samples from all hard red winter wheat plots were analyzed for percent
protein content by the Quality Control Laboratory, ADM Ogilvie Mills,
Inc., Keokuk, Iowa, using near-infared reflectance spectroscopy.
Grain Sprout Damage
-------------------
The percentage of post-harvest sprouted grain was determined for each
soft red winter wheat entry grown at the Grundy County site. Rain
delays weathered the nursery for approximately 20 to 25 days. The
percentage of sprouted seed was determined by counting the number of
sprouted seed present in 100 seed subsamples obtained from two of the
four replications.
Plant Height
------------
Plant height was measured in inches from the soil surface to the top
of the head, excluding the awns if present. Reported values have been
rounded to the nearest inch.
Lodging
-------
Lodging severity was rated at locations where lodging was significant.
Plots were rated on a severity scale of 0 to 9 where 0 = no lodging
and 9 = plants completely flat.
Winter Survival
---------------
Percent winter survival was estimated for each plot after initial
spring green-up at locations where significant winter injury occurred.
In 1992, differences in winter survival among varieties were noted at
all locations except Portageville.
Heading Date
------------
Heading was noted when 50% of the heads in a plot had extended above
the flag leaf collar. Heading dates were recorded in Julian days
(number of days from January 1) for statistical purposes.
Corresponding calendar dates also are presented.
Disease Ratings
---------------
In 1992, all soft red winter wheat entries were tested for seedling
reactions to Septoria leaf blotch under greenhouse conditions. Four
replications of ten plants per entry were inoculated with S. tritici
spores at the 3-leaf stage of development. After four weeks, a
necrosis rating (0=no injury, 9=total death) was determined for each
entry (Table 5). Resistance ratings are not given, but higher
necrosis ratings are indicative of greater susceptibility to Septoria
leaf blotch during the seedling stages of development. Some results
are inconsistent with known field reactions to Septoria leaf blotch
which may have been biased by use of triadimenol (Baytan) seed
treatment fungicide on the seed submitted for testing.
Disease pressure was minimal at most field test locations during 1992.
Disease notes for barley yellow dwarf and leaf rust (Puccinia
recondida Rob. ex Desm. f.sp. tritici) were taken at locations where
the incidence was severe enough to warrant. Barley yellow dwarf
ratings were obtained by estimating the percent total necrotic flag
leaves at the Columbia and Lamar sites. Leaf rust was visually
assessed at Lamar for percent infected leaf area of the flag leaves.
Septoria leaf blotch (Septoria tritici Rob. in Desm.) was identified
at most locations and black chaff (Xanthomonas campestris pv.
translucens (J.J. & R.) Dye) was identified at the Portageville site.
These two diseases were not rated during the 1992 cropping season.
The Mt. Vernon location developed Septoria leaf blotch, barley yellow
dwarf, powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis D.C. f. sp. tritici E.
Marchal), leaf rust, black chaff and Septoria glume blotch (Septoria
nodorum (Berk.) Berk.). Late detection of these diseases combined
with armyworm [Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth)] damage prevented
accurate assessment of the variety disease reactions for this site.
Statistical Analyses and Interpretation
The data collected at each soft red winter wheat location were
analyzed as a four-replication, lattice design. Data collected from
the hard red winter wheat locations were analyzed as a four-
replication, randomized complete block design. If an observation was
missing in one replication, the average of those observations in the
remaining replications was used to approximate the missing
observation. Fisher's least significant difference at the 0.05
probability level [LSD (p=0.05)] and coefficients of variation
percentages (CV%) were calculated from analyses of variance by each
and across all locations. The LSD is used to compare the performance
of two specific varieties at a time. If the mean of a variety exceeds
that of another variety by more than the LSD, then the difference
observed will be a true difference in 19 out of 20 instances under
conditions similar to those of the test.
Variety selection should be based on yield stability in a production
environment over years and locations. Selection also should consider
other characteristics such as test weight, plant height, heading date
and disease resistance. Where these additional characteristics were
not measured in a particular production environment, they can be
evaluated from locations in which they were rated. Data collected on
all traits measured during 1992 are presented in Tables 5 through 14
for the soft red wheats and in Tables 15 through 20 for the hard red
wheats. Where a variety has been in the test for two, three or four
years, combined analyses of the yield data over years are presented.
1992 Test Conditions
Winter injury was the major constraint to wheat production at 4 of the
7 test locations in Missouri during 1992. Extremely cold temperatures
in early November resulted in direct injury to most stands and delayed
fall tiller development. Temperatures moderated during December,
January and February, but sufficient freezing occurred to cause
substantial heaving. Extreme cold temperatures reoccurred in mid-
March, killing plants exposed by heaving. Stand estimates during the
first week of April were 18, 28, 34 and 43% at the Novelty, Grundy
County, Mt. Vernon and Columbia sites, respectively. Entries
maintaining better than 40% stands under the most severe conditions at
Novelty include 'AGRIPRO Sawyer', 'MFA Enterprise', 'Howell' and
'Terra SR201' soft red winter wheats and 'Kansas 2163', 'Karl',
'Merschman Meggie V', 'Kansas 2180', 'Terra HR152', 'Terra HR153' and
'HybriTech QT577' hard red winter wheats.
Cool, dry weather during April and May allowed many varieties to
develop spring tillers and compensate for stand losses at these
locations. Mean yields were 51, 57, and 50 at Novelty, Grundy County
and Columbia, respectively. The significant disease pressure and
armyworm damage at Mt. Vernon kept yield potential low. The
Charleston, Lamar and Portageville sites maintained greater than 90%
stands yielding 61, 69 and 91 bushels per acre, respectively.
'Pioneer 2548' was the highest yielding soft red winter wheat tested
in 1992, averaging 73.9 bushels per acre on a statewide basis (Table 5
and 14). No other soft red winter wheats equaled the yields of
Pioneer 2548. Karl, a hard red winter wheat check entry from Kansas,
produced the second highest yield at 68.6 bu/acre. AGRIPRO Sawyer and
MFA Enterprise averaged 68.5 and 68.1 bu/acre, respectively. Howell
was the highest yielding public soft red winter wheat variety (fifth
highest over-all) at 67.2 bu/acre. The hybrid 'HybriTech QT577' was
the highest yielding hard red winter wheat tested in 1992, averaging
56.3 bu/acre (Table 15 and 20).
Across all locations, test weights were 5 to 6 pounds per bushel
heavier than in 1991 (Table 5). Location means varied from 51.6
pounds per bushel at Mt. Vernon to 60.7 pounds per bushel at
Charleston. Rain reduced test weights at the Grundy County site 2 to
3 pounds per bushel compared to test weights at Columbia and Novelty.
Soft red winter wheats producing test weights exceeding 58 pounds per
bushel include Howell, 'Arthur 71', MFA Enterprise, 'Terra SR204',
'Coker 9543', 'Ohlde EXP T44-1', and Pioneer 2548 (Table 5). Karl
hard red winter wheat averaged 60.5 pounds per bushel as a hard check
entry in the soft red winter wheat tests. No entries averaged greater
than 60 pounds per bushel across the four test locations of the hard
red winter wheat tests (Table 15), with Karl produced the heaviest
test weight of 59.0 pounds per bushel.
Sprout damage at the Grundy County site was expected since the harvest
was delayed by rainy weather. Surprisingly, samples from 47 of the 64
entries contained 4% or less sprouted kernels (Table 7), the maximum
allowed by the Federal Grain Inspection Service as damaged kernels in
a U.S. No. 2 grade of soft red winter wheat. Only samples from Terra
SR201 (83% sprout), 'Cardinal' (37%) and 'Lewis 812' (22%) possessed
sprout damaged kernels exceeding 15%.
New Variety Descriptions
Several entries previously tested as experimental lines have been or
will be released as varieties for commercial production. Brief
descriptions are provided for informational purposes and do not imply
endorsement or exclusion of any commercial wheat varieties by the
Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station.
AGRIPRO Mallard Soft Red Winter Wheat
-------------------------------------
'AGRIPRO Mallard' is a new proprietary release from AgriPro
Biosciences, Inc., Mission, Kansas, previously tested as 'ABI 86-
5941'. The pedigree for Mallard is 'Wheeler / Caldwell'. Mallard is
an intermediate maturing wheat with very good straw strength. Mallard
possesses very good resistance to stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers.
f.sp. tritici Eriks. & Henn.). It also is resistant to Septoria glume
blotch, leaf rust , and wheat spindle streak mosaic virus. It has
moderate-to-intermediate resistance to powdery mildew, Septoria leaf
blotch, soilborne mosaic virus and barley yellow dwarf virus. Mallard
has produced average yields at most locations in Missouri during 1992.
Exclusive ownership and distribution of AGRIPRO Mallard by AgriPro
Biosciences, Inc., is protected under the Federal Plant Variety
Protection Act of 1970 (PVP Cert. No. 9200071). Seed of AGRIPRO
Mallard will be available for commercial production in the fall of
1992. More detailed information on AGRIPRO Mallard is available from
the company on request.
AGRIPRO Sawyer Soft Red Winter Wheat
------------------------------------
AGRIPRO Sawyer is a proprietary release from AgriPro Biosciences,
Inc., Mission, Kansas, possessing excellent winterhardiness and very
good yield potential combined with average test weights. It appears
to be broadly adapted for production in Missouri. AGRIPRO Sawyer was
previously tested under the designation 'ABI 85-81' and is described
in more detail under that designation in Missouri Agricultural
Experiment Station Report No. SR429, "Winter Wheat - 1991 Missouri
Crop Performance". Exclusive ownership and distribution of AGRIPRO
Sawyer by AgriPro Biosciences, Inc., is protected under the Federal
Plant Variety Protection Act of 1970 (PVP Cert. No. 9200073). Seed of
AGRIPRO Sawyer will be available for commercial production in the fall
of 1992. Additional information on AGRIPRO Sawyer also is available
from the company on request.
Florida 304 Soft Red Winter Wheat
---------------------------------
'Florida 304' is an intermediate maturing soft red winter wheat
developed by the University of Florida's North Florida Research and
Education Center. Florida 304 was derived from the cross 'FL74265-10-
A2-B2 / Coker 80-29' and was previously tested in regional and state
testing programs as 'FL8172-G98-L5'. Florida 304 possesses excellent
resistance to the field races of leaf rust and biotypes of Hessian fly
(Maytiola destructor Say.) prevalent in southern wheat producing
States. Florida 304 is moderately susceptible to powdery mildew and
susceptible to soilborne mosaic virus and bacterial streak
(Xanthomonas campestris pv. translucens (J.J. & R.) Dye). Compared to
previous Florida soft red winter wheats, Florida 304 has a high
vernalization requirement. It does not perform well when fall
planting dates are delayed. Seed of Florida 304 are smaller and more
uniform in size compared to Florida 302, resulting in heavier test
weights. Like preceding Florida soft red winter wheats, Florida 304
lacks sufficient winterhardiness for wide-spread adaptation in
Missouri. Best adaptation of Florida 304 in Missouri will likely
occur in the southeastern counties of the upper Mississippi River
Delta. Application for Plant Variety Protection will be made for
Florida 304, with Florida 304 seed only available for sale as a class
of certified seed. Foundation seed will be available to Florida seed
growers in the fall of 1992. Foundation and registered classes of
seed should be more readily available in the fall of 1993.
Freedom Soft Red Winter Wheat
-----------------------------
'Freedom' is an awnless, white-chaffed soft red winter wheat developed
by the Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and
Development Center in Wooster, Ohio and released in 1991. The
pedigree for Freedom is 'GR876 /4/ (OH217, Logan*3 /3/ VA63-52-12 /
Logan // Blueboy). It was previously designated 'OH413' in regional
testing programs. Freedom is a mid-season, medium-short stature
variety with acceptable milling and baking characteristics. It is
resistant to leaf rust , stem rust, powdery mildew and wheat spindle
streak mosaic virus. Freedom also may possess tolerance to Septoria
leaf and glume blotches. The broad spectrum of disease resistance is
presumed due to the 1B/1R translocation of genes from rye obtained
through the 'GR876' parent. Freedom possesses the H3 gene conferring
resistance to Hessian fly biotypes GP, A and C. Freedom was first
tested in the Missouri Winter Wheat Performance Testing Program during
the 1992 cropping season, producing average yields and below average
test weights.
Howell Soft Red Winter Wheat
----------------------------
Howell is an awned, white-chaffed soft red winter wheat developed by
the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station and released in 1991.
Howell was developed from the complex pedigree 'McNair 4823 / IL70-
2225 // CItr13855 /3/ Arthur / Blueboy // TN1571'. It was previously
tested in regional and state tests as 'IL82-3298'. Howell is a tall
variety with good straw strength. Howell possesses superior
winterhardiness compared to most other soft red winter wheats. It is
moderately resistant to stem rust, soilborne mosaic virus and barley
yellow dwarf virus. Howell is moderately susceptible to leaf rust and
susceptible to powdery mildew and Hessian fly biotypes B and D.
Milling characteristics are excellent with acceptable baking
qualities. Both yield potential and test weight performance have been
very good. Pending final approval (PVP Cert. No. 9100202), Howell is
protected by the Plant Variety Protection Act of 1970 with seed only
available for sale as a class of certified seed. Both foundation and
registered classes of seed should be available from the Illinois Crop
Improvement Association during the fall of 1992.
HybriTech QT575 Hard Red Winter Wheat
-------------------------------------
'HybriTech QT575' is a new proprietary release from HybriTech Seed
International, Wichita, Kansas. QT575 is a true F1 semi-dwarf hybrid,
developed from unpublished parents using a genetic male sterile
hybridization system. QT575 is an awned, intermediate height wheat
possessing good straw strength, average winterhardiness and medium
maturity. It is resistant to leaf rust and soilborne mosaic virus and
susceptible to stem rust. Reactions to Hessian fly and greenbugs
(Schizaphis graminum ) are unknown. In 1992, HybriTech QT575 produced
average yields, test weights and grain protein levels compared to
other hard red winter wheats tested in Missouri. More detailed
information on HybriTech QT575 is available from company on request.
Pioneer 2510 Soft Red Winter Wheat
----------------------------------
Pioneer variety '2510' is a new proprietary release from Pioneer Hi-
Bred International, Inc., Johnston, Iowa, developed from the complex
cross 'Aurora / Pioneer Line W689D-2 // Pioneer 2553 / Caldwell'.
Pioneer 2510 is an awnless, late maturing wheat with intermediate
plant height and excellent straw strength. The variety possesses
resistance to Septoria leaf blotch and resistance to the prevalent
races of leaf rust and powdery mildew existing in Missouri. It has
excellent resistance to soilborne mosaic virus and wheat spindle
streak mosaic virus, but is susceptible to Hessian fly. Pioneer 2510
has very good milling and satisfactory baking characteristics.
Initial tests in Missouri indicate Pioneer 2510 has very good yield
potential combined with average test weight performance. Pioneer 2510
appears broadly adapted to Missouri wheat producing areas, but it's
late maturity may be undesirable in most wheat-soybean doublecrop
rotations. Pending final approval (PVP Cert. No. 9100164), exclusive
ownership and distribution of Pioneer 2510 by Pioneer Hi-Bred
International is protected under the Federal Plant Variety Protection
Act of 1970. Seed of Pioneer 2510 will be available for commercial
production in the fall of 1992. More detailed information on Pioneer
2510 is available from the company on request.
Pioneer 2545 Soft Red Winter Wheat
----------------------------------
Pioneer variety '2545' is a new proprietary release from Pioneer Hi-
Bred International, Inc., Johnston, Iowa, developed from the cross
'IL71-5662 / Pioneer Line W9018A // Pioneer Line W689D-2'. Pioneer
2545 is an awnless, intermediate maturing wheat with intermediate
plant height and good straw strength. It possesses resistance to
Septoria leaf blotch, stem rust, powdery mildew, soilborne mosaic
virus and wheat spindle streak mosaic virus. Pioneer 2545 is
moderately susceptible to leaf rust. Pioneer 2545 possesses
resistance to Hessian fly biotype C, but is susceptible to the
prevalent field biotypes that currently exist in the eastern soft red
winter wheat belt. It has satisfactory milling and baking
characteristics. Initial tests in Missouri indicate Pioneer 2545 has
very good yield potential combined with average test weight
performance across all locations. Pending final approval (PVP Cert.
No. 9100165), exclusive ownership and distribution of Pioneer 2545 by
Pioneer Hi-Bred International is protected under the Federal Plant
Variety Protection Act of 1970. Seed of Pioneer 2545 will be
available for commercial production in the fall of 1992. More
detailed information on Pioneer 2545 is available from the company on
request.
1992 Missouri Wheat Crop
Projected Crop Statistics
-------------------------
Missouri's 1992 wheat crop was harvested from 1,350,000 acres, down 13
percent from the wheat acreage harvested in 1991 (Table 4). The
statewide average yield projected by the Missouri Agricultural
Statistical Service is 48 bu/acre, up from 38 and 34 bu/acre reported
for the 1990 and 1991 crop years, respectively. Projected district
average yields ranged from a high of 56 bu/acre for the South-East and
to a low of 43 bu/acre in the North-West district. Total projected
production of the 1992 Missouri wheat crop is 64.8 million bushels,
nearly 12 million bushels greater than 1991 production levels.