2 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.

Plant Breeders

Extension Educators

U of I Employees

Introduction

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

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 1998-1999 crop season. The variety trials were located in cooperators' fields at thirteen test sites in Idaho, Lewis, Nez Perce, Latah, and Boundary counties.

Increase in field crop yields result from 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". 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 1998 and eight spring cereal trials were seeded in the spring of 1999. 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. 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 1999, spring pea trials were seeded near Nez Perce, Genesee, Moscow and Viola, Idaho and lentil and chickpea trials were located at the Nez Perce and Viola sites. 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 7. The winter wheat trials performed well except in Bonners Ferry, which had more winter kill than other locations. The only location without winter injury was Tammany. Rodent damage impacted stands at Nezperce, Genesee and Potlatch.

Spring cereals were seeded from April 24 to May 17 and spring legume trials from April 19 to May 11. Spring planting was somewhat later than usual due to the weather. Spring barley plots at Viola were not uniform, possibly from unfavorable soil condition and moderate amount of wild oats in the plots. After spring seeding, growing conditions were cooler than normal with mostly adequate precipitation. Overall conditions were favorable for spring crops. The direct seed pea trials had higher than desired weed infestations. The Moscow site was seeded into dead grass when the soil was too wet and gave poor seed-soil contact and germination. The harvest at the Genesee direct seed pea trial was delayed by rain and scheduling, and a high degree of shattering before harvest was evident. There was also greater shattering at the Viola trial that in most years and shatter losses impacted yields.

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

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