2006 Ohio Wheat Performance Test

Ohio State University Extension
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center
The Ohio State University

Horticulture and Crop Science Series 228 - July 2006

James Beuerlein, Professor, Dept. Horticulture & Crop Science
Pat Lipps, Professor, Dept. Plant Pathology
Clay Sneller, Associate Professor, Dept. Horticulture & Crop Science
Rich Minyo, Jr., Research Associate, Dept. Horticulture & Crop Science

The purpose of the Ohio Wheat Performance Trial 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 (see map) using four replications per site in a randomized complete block design. Plots consisted of 7 rows, 7.5 inches apart and 35 feet long. Participating companies specified the seeding rate for each of their varieties. Tests were planted within ten days after the fly-safe date and approximately 30 pounds of nitrogen was applied at planting followed by the addition of 70-100 pounds in early spring. Herbicides were applied as needed for weed control and the following data were collected:

Yield is reported in bushels per acre at 13.5 percent moisture.

Test Weight is reported in lb/bushel averaged across all locations.

Seed Size in thousands of harvested seeds per pound (Ex: 15.5 = 15,500 seeds per lb.).

Percent Lodging is the percent of plants that lean more than 45 degrees from vertical.

Plant Height is the distance from the soil surface to the top of the heads.

Heading Date was the average calendar day of the year on which 50 percent of the heads were completely emerged. (Example: Day 136 = May 16.)

Powdery Mildew (PM) Powdery mildew (caused by Blumaria graminis f. sp. tritici) was evaluated at Wooster between June 1 and June 5 when most varieties were flowering (Feekes growth stage 10.5.1). Each plot was rated based on a 0 to 10 scale where: 0 = 0 to trace % leaf area covered; 1 = leaf 4 with trace - 50%; 2 = leaf 3 with 1-5%; 3 = leaf 3 with 5-15%; 4 = leaf 3 with > 15%; 5 = leaf 2 with 1-5%; 6 = leaf 2 with 5-15%; 7 = leaf 2 with >15%; 8 = leaf 1 with 1-5%; 9 = leaf 1 with 5-15%; and 10 = leaf 1 with >15% leaf area covered (leaf 1 = flag leaf). This scale takes into account the percentage leaf area affected and the progress of the disease upward on the plants.

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.

GROWING CONDITIONS

Field and weather conditions were favorable for timely planting in October, 2005. Fall growth was marginally adequate at all locations before the onset of winter dormancy. Winter survival was good due to the general lack of harsh weather and because snow cover was present when weather conditions were harsh. The weather in April and May was one degree warmer than normal, with 2.5 inches less rainfall than normal, allowing the crop to head about 2 days earlier than normal resulting in an extended grain fill period. June was cooler and more cloudy than normal, resulting in average yields for most varieties. Disease levels varied greatly by location and reduced yield at some of the test sites. 

RESULTS

Results of the 2006 wheat performance evaluation are presented in tables 1-4. Entries in the data tables are arranged in order of increasing average heading date. 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 70 percent of the time if their yields differ by more than the LSD value reported. Quality analysis to determine flour yield and softness was performed by USDA-ARS soft wheat quality laboratory, at OARDC in Wooster, OH, Dr. Ed Souza, director.

2006 test results for the 58 soft red winter wheat varieties and one soft white winter wheat variety are presented in Table 1. Tables 2 and 3 contain multi-year performance data for these varieties. Depending on variety and test site, yields varied between 60.7 and 96.9 bushels per acre, and average test weight ranged from 56.1 to 60.1 pounds per bushel. Yield differences between test sites were due primarily to the length of the grain fill period and disease level. The average heading date was five days earlier than in 2005 and 2 days earlier than normal. Average plant height was two inches shorter than normal.

Variety selection should be based on disease resistance, average yield across test sites and years (tables 2 & 3), winter hardiness, test weight and standability. Performance data for the white wheat variety is presented at the bottom of Tables1, 2 and 3; in bold print, and marked with an asterisk.

Soft white winter wheat and hard red winter wheat should never be mixed together or be mixed with soft red winter wheat because they have very different flour characteristics and end uses. Mixing of different classes of wheat destroys their unique utility, makes them unacceptable for quality premiums and reduces their usefulness to animal feed only.

Table 4 contains reaction of winter wheat varieties to various diseases in Ohio.

Table 5 contains the company contact information and seed treatments used for each variety entered in the 2006 wheat performance trial.

This report can be found on the Internet at: www.agcrops.osu.edu and www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~perf. 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 Trial does not constitute an endorsement of any variety by The Ohio State University, Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center, or Ohio State University Extension.
ried greatly by location and reduced yield at some of the test sites.