2Extension Specialist, crop management Phone (208) 885-6744, email sguy@uidaho.edu
¹ Extension Support Scientist Phone (208) 885-5965 email ywu@uidaho.edu

Partial funding for these small grain performance evaluations was provided by Idaho wheat, barley, and grain legume producers through cooperative research and Extension grants from the Idaho Wheat and Barley Commissions and the Idaho Pea and Lentil Council. Support was also provided by the Cooperative Extension System of the University of Idaho, and fees paid by seed companies. This report represents the collective efforts of many individuals. The off-station nurseries were coordinated locally by County Educators with the Idaho Cooperative Extension System. Cooperator growers provided their time, land and other inputs for management of these trials and appreciation is expressed to them for their support. The University of Idaho Wheat Quality Laboratory at Aberdeen determined the protein content and kernel hardness of harvested spring and winter wheat samples. Appreciation is also expressed to the numerous support workers who assisted with trial establishment, maintenance, harvest, and grain processing. Finally, cereal breeders throughout the Northwest are recognized for their contributions since the nurseries would not be possible without their entries. The authors wish to thank all who have contributed to the success of this project.

Grower Cooperators

List of data tables (click here to see data tables)

Introduction

This report summarizes the performance of winter wheat, spring wheat, spring barley, spring pea, lentil and chickpea cultivars tested in extension variety trials conducted in northern Idaho during the 1999-2000 crop season. The variety trials were located in cooperators' fields at thirteen test sites in Idaho, Lewis, Nez Perce, Latah and Boundary counties.

Increases in field crop yield are the result of a combination of improved agronomic practices and advances in variety development. Trials reported in this publication help producers compare new varieties with widely grown cultivars using field production practices common for their area.

Plant breeding and testing programs strive to increase yield potential through enhanced disease and insect resistance, winter hardiness, straw strength, and other agronomic factors. In addition, varieties are developed for improved end-use quality and new markets. A more detailed description of variety development, cooperative extension testing and evaluation, and seed production programs is given in the University of Idaho publication CIS 976 titled, "Small Grain Variety Development and Adaptation in Idaho". Additional information about the varieties can be found in the 2000 Idaho Certified Seed Selection Guide for Some Varieties of Winter Wheat (PR 311) and Spring Wheat (PR 319), Spring Barley (PR 328), Peas, Lentils and Chickpeas (PR 318). Additional variety performance data for northern Idaho and the rest of the state can be viewed at the website http://www.uidaho.edu/cereals. In Idaho, public varieties are evaluated for general adaptation in regional testing programs. The Northern Idaho Extension Variety Testing program evaluates the relative performance of cereal and legume varieties grown in various northern Idaho environments under a range of commercial production conditions. Advanced lines that have shown promise through regional, public and private testing programs were evaluated along with leading commercially released varieties.

This report represents research in progress. Relative performance of varieties can change when tested under other environments and production practices. Evaluation of any variety included in these trials should not be construed as recommending any variety over varieties not included in the trials.

Cereal Test Procedures

Five winter cereal trials were established in northern Idaho during the fall of 1999 and ten spring cereal trials were seeded in the spring of 2000. For each crop, the seeding rate for all entries was a common number of seeds planted per square foot. These rates were determined by weighing 200 seeds of each cereal cultivar. Winter wheat and spring barley were planted at 24 seeds per square foot; spring wheat at 28 seeds. Plots were planted 20 feet long on five foot centers with seven rows, seven inches apart, except for the tillage trial. The tillage trial had six rows 8" apart and borders between plots. Seeding depth varied from one to 1 1/2 inches depending on soil texture and moisture conditions. All trials were replicated in either a lattice or randomized complete block design. After plants were well established, plots were cut back to approximately 16.5 feet in length by rototilling or application of Roundup using a tractor-mounted, shielded sprayer. All trials were established and maintained primarily under "grower management" conditions. Fertilizers and pesticides used in the trials are listed in Table 1 for the sites where the information was reported. Planting and harvesting operations by University of Idaho personnel were timed to approximately coincide with corresponding cooperator operations.

Each small grain entry at each location was evaluated for grain yield, test weight, plant height, and lodging. Lengths were measured on all plots after trimming to accurately calculate seed yield. Cereal seed yields were reported in bushels per acre, using the standards 60 pounds per bushel convention for wheat and 48 pounds per bushel for barley. Winter wheat and spring wheat protein and kernel hardness were determined on individual entry samples that were composited from the four replications at each site. Wheat whole grain protein at 12% moisture was measured at the University of Idaho Wheat Quality Laboratory at Aberdeen using Near Infrared Spectrometry (NIRS) technology. Kernel hardness was also determined by NIRS. Values under 50 indicate soft wheat and values above 50 indicate hard wheat. Cereal test weight is reported in pounds per standard bushel. Cereal plant height is inches from the soil surface to the tip of the heads, awns excluded.

Lodging was determined for all cereals. Area affected was scored from 1 to 100, with 1 equal to no lodging and 100 being completely lodged. Severity of lodging was scored from 1 to 5, with 1 equal to upright and 5 being bent flat. The products of the two scores was adjusted to a scale of 0 to 100 to reflect percent lodging. Percentage grain plumps and thins were measured for barley only. Plumpness is the percent of the sample that stayed on top of a 6/64 inch slotted screen after shaking. Thin percentage is the portion of the sample that went through a 5.5/64 inch slotted screen.

Legume Test Procedures

In the spring of 2000, spring pea trials were seeded near Nezperce, Genesee and  Moscow, Idaho. Lentil trials were located at the Nezperce and Moscow sites. A chickpea trial was conducted at the Moscow site.  For each legume cultivar, 100 seeds were weighed and seeding rates calculated to give a planting density of pea at 8 seeds; lentil at 9 seeds; and chickpea at 6 seeds per square foot. Legume plots were established in dimensions and manner similar to the cereal trials. Planting depths were 1/2 to 3/4 inch for lentil; 1 1/2 to 2 inches for pea and chickpea. Sites were hand weeded to supplement chemical control. Legumes were evaluated for seed yield, plant height, and 100 seed weight. Seed yields were expressed as pounds per acre. Lentil or chickpea plant heights or pea vine lengths were measured from soil surface to end of growing point on the main tiller. Pea canopy heights were measured from the soil surface to the average tall point in the canopy approximately three weeks prior to harvest.

  Statistical Interpretation

Crop class averages are shown within the body of the data tables and overall trial average, LSD and CV are listed at the bottom. The LSD is given at the 10 percent error level and is an aid in comparing varieties. If the measured values of any two varieties within a column differ by the LSD value or greater, they may be considered different with a confidence level of 90%. If the measured values are less than the LSD value, the differences may be due to random error rather than real differences. If no significant statistical differences were found among cultivars, NS is shown for the LSD. Where data represents cultivar means across locations or years, an approximation to a combined LSD was calculated.

Coefficient of variation (CV) is also included in the tables. This is given as a general  measurement of the precision of each experiment. Lower CV percentage values indicate less experimental variation and greater precision. CV values were not averaged across trials or years. There is no LSD or CV for wheat protein or hardness data from composited samples.

Growing Conditions and Factors Affecting Trials

Fall cereal trials were seeded from October 1 to October 10. The winter wheat trials performed well except in Genesee, which had a lot of volunteer spring wheat that survived the mild winter. Excellent winter survival and spring conditions contributed to the high yields.

Spring cereals were seeded from April 4 to May 3 and spring legume trials from April 24 to May 17. Spring planting was mostly normal. Spring barley plots at Tammany were not uniform due to Rhizoctonia root rot after a spring burn down herbicide application and moderate amount of wild oats in the plots. Rhizoctonia decreased some plant stand enough that these plots were not taken to maturity. After spring seeding, growing conditions were cooler than normal with mostly adequate precipitation in early spring. Overall conditions were favorable for spring crops. However, the drier late summer impacted barley plumpness. The direct seed pea trial in Moscow and tillage trials at the Kambitsch farm had higher than desired weed infestations. In Moscow, Genesee and Nezperce pea trials, aphids populations reached a high level and were sprayed with insecticide.

List of data tables (click here to see data tables)

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