OHIO WHEAT PERFORMANCE TEST, 2026

M.W. Hankinson, J.S. McCormick, A.B. Geyer, C.H. Sneller, L.E. Lindsey
Dept. of Horticulture & Crop Science
P. Paul, Dept. of Plant Pathology
B.-K. Baik, USDA-ARS Soft Wheat Quality Laboratory
Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center / Ohio State University Extension

The purpose of the 2026 Ohio Wheat Performance Test is to evaluate wheat varieties, blends, brands, and breeding lines for yield, grain quality, and other important performance characteristics. This information gives wheat producers comparative information for selecting the varieties best suited for their production system and market. Varieties differ in yield potential, winter hardiness, maturity, standability, disease and insect resistance, and other agronomic characteristics. Selection should be based on performance from multiple test sites and years.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES

Each entry was evaluated at five test sites using four replications per site in a randomized complete block design. Plots consisted of 7 rows, 7.5 inches apart and 25 feet long. Seeding rate was 1.75 million seeds per acre. Test sites were planted within 8 days of the fly-free date. Approximately 30 lb N/acre was applied at planting followed by the addition of 80-100 lb N/acre in early spring. Herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides were applied as needed. Soybean was the previous crop and fields were minimally-tilled at all locations. The following data were collected:

• Yield is reported in bushels/acre at 13.5% moisture.
• Test Weight is reported in lb/bushel averaged across all locations.
• Seed Size is thousands of harvested seeds per pound (Ex: 15.5 = 15,500 seeds/lb).
• Lodging is the percent of plants that lean more than 45° from vertical.
• Plant Height is the distance in inches from the soil surface to the top of the heads.
• Heading Date was the average calendar day of the year on which 50% of the heads were completely emerged at the Pickaway county location. (Example: Day 135 = May 15)
• Stagonospora Leaf and Glume Blotch – Varieties were evaluated for Stagonospora leaf and glume blotch in an inoculated, mist-irrigated disease screening nursery at Wooster. Both SLB and SGB severity were rated at about Feekes growth stage 11.3 as the average percent flag leaf and spike area diseased, respectively.
• Powdery Mildew (PM) – Varieties were evaluated for Powdery mildew at Wooster at the heading (Feekes growth stage 10.5) growth stage. Varieties were classified as Susceptible, Moderately Susceptible, Moderately Resistant, and Resistant.
• Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) – Varieties were evaluated in an inoculated disease screening nursery at Wooster. FHB was rated as the percentage of spikelets showing diseased symptoms. Varieties were classified as Susceptible, Moderately Susceptible, Moderately Resistant, and Resistant.
• Flour Yield is the percent flour yield from milled whole grain.
• Flour Softness is the percent of fine-granular milled flour. Values higher than approximately 50 indicate kernel textures that are appropriate for soft wheat. Generally, high values are more desirable.

CULTURAL PRACTICES BY TEST SITE

GROWING CONDITIONS

In fall 2025, wheat was planted at four out of five locations within 4 days of the fly-free date. Dry fall weather allowed timely planting. Fall growth was adequate given those dry conditions, and wheat entered dormancy in good condition. Cool temperatures and adequate subsoil moisture led to a long grain fill period, high yields, and good test weights. Grain yield averaged between 90.5 and 110.8 bushels per acre among the five locations.

RESULTS

Results of the 2026 wheat performance test are presented in Tables 1-3. Entries in the data tables are arranged by seed source. A least significant difference (LSD) value can be used to determine if the performance of two varieties was statistically different. The yields of two varieties are expected to be significantly different 90 percent of the time if their yields differ by more than the reported LSD value. Flour yield and softness tests were performed by USDA-ARS Soft Wheat Quality Laboratory, at OARDC in Wooster, OH, Dr. Byung-Kee Baik, Director.

Test results for the 79 winter wheat varieties evaluated in 2026 are presented in Table 1. Tables 2 and 3 contain multi-year variety performance data. Depending on variety and test site, yields varied between 66.2 and 124.6 bushels per acre and test weight ranged from 55.8 to 60.7 pounds per bushel. Yield differences between test sites were due primarily to the soil drainage, weather during the grain fill period and harvest, and disease level. Variety selection should be based on disease resistance, average yield across test sites and years (Tables 2 & 3), winter hardiness, test weight, and standability. Table 4 includes grain quality (flour yield and softness) and disease information.

Table 5 contains the company contact information and seed treatments used for each variety entered in the 2026 Ohio Wheat Performance Test. This report is online at: https://ohiocroptest.cfaes.osu.edu/wheattrials/. Any column of data can be sorted by clicking at the top of the column, which makes it easy to arrange varieties in order by any characteristic for comparison purposes.

Inclusion of varieties in the Ohio Wheat Performance Test does not constitute an endorsement of any variety by The Ohio State University, Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center, or Ohio State University Extension.

Acknowledgments: We thank our farmer cooperators for their contributions to the 2026 wheat variety testing program. We are grateful for the assistance provided by Ken Scaife, OARDC Field Operations, Wooster, and Matt Davis, OARDC Northwest Agricultural Research Station, and Joe Davlin, Western Agricultural Research Station. Special thanks to Rich Minyo, OARDC Wooster, for his assistance and expertise in conducting the 2026 Ohio Wheat Performance Test.