Wheat and Barley Variety Screening in the Klamath Basin, 2009

Transcription

1 Wheat and Barley Variety Screening in the Klamath Basin, 2009 Richard J. Roseberg and Rachel A. Shuck 1 Introduction 1 Associate Professor and Faculty Research Assistant, respectively, Klamath Basin Research & Extension Center, Klamath Falls, OR. Acknowledgements: These trials were conducted in cooperation with, and were partially supported by, the OSU wheat genetics program (Dr. Jim Peterson, PI), and the OSU barley genetics program (Dr. Pat Hayes, PI). Reference to a product or company is for specific information only and does not endorse or recommend that product or company to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

2 Grain is produced on upwards of 100,000 acres in the Klamath Basin, including nearly 50,000 acres within the Klamath Reclamation Project. Susceptibility to late spring frosts has historically limited winter cereal production and spring cereals have accounted for the majority of production. Starting in 2003, acres seeded to winter wheat (primarily hard red winter types) have gradually increased, mainly on upland soils that remain drained during the winter. With few late spring frosts and frost-free summers, most of the winter wheat crops produced reasonably good yield and quality in the past few years. Klamath Basin Research & Extension Center (KBREC) cereal variety evaluation efforts have focused on spring cereal varieties in the past, but with the increased acreage of commercial winter wheat, and grower requests for more winter wheat information, we began conducting winter wheat trials at the station in the fall of While the first year ( ) included only the Oregon State University (OSU) Oregon Winter Elite Trial (OWEYT), in and we also seeded the Western Regional Soft Winter Wheat and Hard Winter Wheat trials on the KBREC site mineral soil. However, in 2008 and 2009, the only winter grain trial we conducted was the OWEYT trail at KBREC due to decreased funding and lack of staff. In 2009, spring-seeded small grain variety trials were conducted on-site at KBREC on a mineral soil, on an off-site location on mineral soil provided by a local grower (Noonan site), and at a Lower Klamath Lake (LKL) site on a silty clay loam muck (high organic matter) soil. The OSU Oregon Spring Elite Yield Trial (OSEYT) was conducted only at the KBREC site. The Western Regional combined Soft and Hard Spring Wheat Nursery was seeded at the LKL site. We began a new Forage Barley Variety Trial in 2009, which was conducted at both the KBREC site and the Noonan site. These two forage barley trials were done to evaluate the seed yield potential of these varieties (not their forage production), with the hope that commercial seed production of these forage barley types would be a viable option here. The 2009 OWEYT trial was eventually abandoned in the spring due to excessive grazing by migrating birds, preventing the collection of any useful crop growth or yield data. Foraging geese are typical in the Klamath Basin in late winter, but in 2009 the high density of geese and lack of other nearby forage resulted in nearly complete annihilation of the winter wheat plants. The Western Regional Soft and Hard Spring Wheat Nursery resulted in a failure due to excessive weeds early in the season. This trial was conducted in a certified organic production field, and thus herbicides were not available. We have conducted small grain trials in the field in several previous years without a significant weed problem. Thus there was no meaningful collected from these two trials, so they won t be discussed further. Procedures KBREC Site KBREC small grain variety trials were conducted on Poe fine sandy loam soil following potatoes grown in Both trials were arranged in a randomized complete block design. The OSEYT trial had three replications, and the Forage Barley Variety

3 Trial had two replications. Seed was drilled one inch deep at 30 seeds/ft 2 with a Kincaid (Kincaid Equipment Mfg.) plot drill. The OSEYT trial was seeded on April 24, and the Forage Barley Variety Trial on April 10. The plots were 20.0 by 4.5 ft, (9 rows at 6-inch spacing), with a harvested area of 13.5 by 4.5 ft. The OSEYT plots were fertilized with 62 lb/ac N, 62 lb/ac P 2 O 5, 62 lb/ac K 2 O, and 78 lb/ac S banded at seeding (applying fertilizer at 518 lb/ac). The Forage Barley Variety Trial was fertilized with 95 lb/ac N, 27 lb/ac P 2 O 5, and 103 lb/ac S banded at seeding (applying a custom-blended fertilizer at 480 lb/ac). On May 28, both trial areas were treated with a tank mixture of Harmony Extra (thifensulfuron + tribenuron) applied at 0.75 oz/ac (0.38 oz. a.i. /ac), Rhomene (MCPA) applied at 1.25 pint/ac (0.58 lb a.i./ac), and Starane (fluroxypyr) applied at 0.5 pint/ac (0.1 lb a.i. /ac) herbicides, using a conventional ground sprayer. An additional 63 lb/ac N and 72 lb/ac S were applied to the OSEYT trial (as granular ammonium sulfate topdressed at 300 lb/ac) on June 3. The trial areas received 0.75 inch of precipitation in April, 1.74 inch in May, 1.84 inch in June, 0.17 inch in July, 0.20 inch in August, and zero in September. Solid-set sprinklers arranged in a 40- by 40-ft pattern were used for irrigation. Irrigation rates were based on crop water use estimates calculated from the US Dept. of Reclamation Agricultural Meteorological (AgriMet) weather station at KBREC (US Bureau of Reclamation, 2009). Due to timely early spring rains and cool weather at the time of seeding and germination, neither trial needed irrigation during April. The OSEYT and Forage Barley Variety Trial areas received the following amounts of irrigation during the rest of the season: 3.43 inch in May (4 dates); 2.57 inch in June (3 dates); 6.08 inch in July (6 dates); 0.86 inch in August (1 date) and none in September. Plots were harvested using a Hege (Hans-Ulrich Hege) plot combine with a 4.5-ft-wide header. The OSEYT trial was harvested on September 4, except for one entry that matured much later, which was harvested on September 15. The Forage Barley Variety Trial was harvested on August 26.

4 Grain yield, test weight, lodging percentage, plant height, and maturity (date of 50 percent heading) were measured for all trials. Percent bird damage was also measured for the barley trial. All measured parameters were analyzed statistically using SAS for Windows, Release 9.1 (SAS Institute, Inc.) software. Treatment significance was based on the F test at the P=0.05 level. If this analysis indicated significant treatment effects, least significant difference (LSD) values were calculated based on the student s t test at the 5% level.

5 Noonan Site The Forage Barley Variety Trial was also conducted on a mineral soil site owned by the grower who funded the trial. The trial was seeded on a Harriman loam soil following alfalfa grown in The trial was arranged in a randomized complete block design with two replications. Plots were seeded one inch deep at 30 seeds/ft 2 with a Kincaid (Kincaid Equipment Mfg.) plot drill on April 7. The plots were 20.0 by 4.5 ft, (9 rows at 6-inch spacing), with a harvested area of 13.5 by 4.5 ft. All plots were fertilized with approximately 80 lb/ac N disked into the soil before seeding (applying chicken manure at 2 ton/ac), followed by 64 lb/ac N and 80 lb/ac P 2 O 5 banded at seeding (applying fertilizer at 400 lb/ac). The plots were irrigated by the grower during the season with a wheel line that was used for the entire field (about 60 acres), based on his judgment of water need. Plots were harvested using a Hege (Hans- Ulrich Hege) plot combine with a 4.5-ft-wide header on August 25. Grain yield, test weight, percent bird damage, lodging percentage, plant height, and maturity (date of 50 percent heading) were measured for all trials. All measured parameters were analyzed statistically using SAS for Windows, Release 9.1 (SAS Institute, Inc.) software. Treatment significance was based on the F test at the P=0.05 level. If this analysis indicated significant treatment effects, least significant difference (LSD) values were calculated based on the student s t test at the 5% level. Results and Discussion Soil moisture was good during seedbed preparation, and resulting germination and stand density were good. There was good availability of irrigation water and relatively few hot days during the season until late July (well after heading was complete). During and soon after germination there were a few days of below-freezing

6 nightly low temperatures, but the plants did not appear damaged and temperatures were well above freezing during pollination. Overall, yields tended to be comparable to yields of similar trials conducted in the past. OSU Oregon Spring Elite Yield Trial Thirty entries were grown in this trial at the KBREC site only, including 14 named varieties and 16 experimental lines. Differences in yield, test weight, height, and 50% heading date were all statistically significant at the P=0.05 level (Table 1). Yields ranged from 3,240 to 6,120 lb/ac with a mean of 4,836 lb/ac. Yields were somewhat higher overall in 2009 than a similar trial in Seed test weights were greater than the 60 lb/bu industry standard for almost all entries, indicating good moisture, fertility, and weather conditions during the seed-filling phase. The overall mean test weight in 2009 (61.2 lb/bu) was greater than in 2007 (59.6 lb/bu). Multiple-year yield means for all entries that were grown in the 2006, 2007, and 2009 trials at KBREC were calculated (Table 2). Eight entries were seeded all three years, seven of which were named varieties. For these eight entries, overall mean yields were greatest in 2006, followed by 2009, with 2007 yields the lowest. All of the individual entries (except Hank) followed this pattern.

7 Forage Barley Variety Trials The 2009 Forage Barley Variety Trial was conducted on two different mineral soil locations. Entries included three named awnless barley varieties, and eight experimental lines at both locations. KBREC Site: Differences in all parameters measured were statistically significant at the P=0.05 level. Grain yields ranged from 1,810 to 4,970 lb/ac, with a mean of 3,014 lb/ac (Table 3). These yields were lower than average mean yields in previous barley trials at KBREC, but earlier trials were mainly feed-type varieties selected for grain yield rather than forage types. Grain test weights at the KBREC site ranged from 44.0 to 51.6 lb/bu and were greater than the 48 lb/bu industry standard for only four of the eleven entries, indicating less-than-ideal adaptation of these varieties to the moisture, fertility, and weather conditions experienced at this location during the seed-filling phase. Only two of the entries had test weights over 50 lb/bu. The overall mean test weight in 2009 (47.5 lb/bu) was much lower than in a 2007 feed barley variety trial on mineral soil (52.5 lb/bu). Percent bird damage ranged from 8.0 to 55.0%, with a mean of 20.7%. Bird damage clearly affected yield and/or test weight for a few varieties. Only three entries experienced lodging, which ranged from 3.0 to 15.0%. Heights ranged from 34.4 to 44.5 inches, with a mean of 38.3 inches. The date of 50% heading ranged from to days, with a mean of days.

8 Noonan Site: Differences between varieties were statistically significant only for test weight and date of 50% heading. Yields ranged from 3,580 to 5,600 lb/ac, with a mean of 4,460 lb/ac (Table 4). Yields were higher at the Noonan site than the KBREC site for all entries. These yields were very similar to average barley yields in trials of feed barley types grown at KBREC in previous years on mineral soil. Test weights at the Noonan site ranged from 44.8 to 51.0 lb/bu. Test weights were greater than the 48 lb/bu industry standard for six of the eleven entries, indicating better adaptation of these varieties to the moisture, fertility, and weather conditions experienced at this location during the seed-filling phase. Only one entry (68-2RH) had a test weight over 50 lb/bu. This variety had the highest test weight at both sites. Percent bird damage ranged from 10.0 to 67.5%, with a mean of 37.5%. The Noonan site experienced considerably more lodging than the KBREC site, (possibly due to higher nitrogen uptake including the unknown contributions from manure and from the prior alfalfa crop), which made it very difficult to harvest. Percent lodging ranged from 35.0 to 95.0%, with a mean of 75.5%. Heights ranged from 38.9 to 46.5 inches, with a mean of 44.1 inches. These taller heights may also have been due to excess nitrogen availability early in the growing season. The date of 50% heading ranged from to days, with a mean of days, almost identical to the KBREC site. Summary In 2009, the OSEYT trial yielded slightly higher than a similar trial did in 2007, but were not as high as 2006 yields (Table 2) (Roseberg and Smith, 2006 and 2007). Despite the bird damage and severe lodging, the Forage Barley Variety Trial at the Noonan site mineral soil produced yields that were similar to feed barley yields at the KBREC mineral soil in previous years. However, the lodging issue was severe enough to

9 negatively impact commercial-scale crop production practices. The Forage Barley Variety Trial at the KBREC site produced much lower yields than feed barley trials grown there in recent years. Bird damage was a factor for some varieties at both sites, but did not explain the differences in yield in most cases. Forage (awnless) barley types seem more susceptible to bird damage than standard feed types, and differences in this factor (as well as lodging tendency) should be considered when attempting seed production of these types. Crop rotation has some influence on the results of these trials and with grain production in the Klamath Basin in general. Spring grains can easily follow potatoes grown the previous year, benefiting from typical potato management such as high rates of fertilization and common use of fumigants, which also reduce weed seeds. Even where spring grain follows grain the year before, spring moisture, tillage, and use of grain herbicides often results in good stands with low weed pressure levels. References Roseberg, R.J. and Smith, J.E Wheat and barley variety screening in the Klamath Basin, Klamath Basin Research & Extension Center Annual Research Report. Roseberg, R.J. and Smith, J.E Wheat and barley variety screening in the Klamath Basin, Klamath Basin Research & Extension Center Annual Research Report. US Bureau of Reclamation, Agrimet: The Pacific Northwest cooperative agricultural weather network.

10 Table OSU Oregon Spring Elite Yield Trial (OSEYT), seeded in mineral soil (ranked by yield). Klamath Basin Research & Extension Center, Klamath Falls, OR. Entry Type 1 (lb/ac) Yield Test Wt (lb/bu) Height (inch) 50% Heading (Day of Year) IDO599 SWS Alturas SWS BZ SWS OR HWS Whit SWS WA SWS Merrill SWS Nick SWS IDO671 SWS ID0377S HWS Jefferson HRS IDO702 HRS WA Club Cataldo SWS IDO644 SWS OR HRS WA SWS Alpowa SWS Bullseye HRS Winchester HRS Cleda SWS Hank HRS OR HRS Kelse HRS BZ HRS NPBHR 70 HRS RSI10348W HWS B. Grande HWS OR SWS Cabernet HRS Mean P value <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 LSD (0.05) CV (%) HRS = hard red spring; HWS = hard white spring; SWS = soft white spring. Grain yields shaded in gray are not Klamath significantly Basin Research different &Extension from the Center highest yield in this trial.

11 Table , 2007, & 2009 Three year yield summary, OSU Oregon Spring Elite Yield Trial (OSEYT), seeded in mineral soil (ranked by 2 yr mean yield). Klamath Basin Research & Extension Center, Klamath Falls, OR. Yield (lb/ac) 2 yr mean 3 yr mean Entry Type Yield (lb/ac) Rank Yield (lb/ac) Rank Cataldo SWS Merrill SWS Nick SWS IDO377S* HWS Alturas SWS Jefferson* HRS OR HRS Alpowa* SWS Winchester HRS Hank HRS Cabernet HRS Blanca Grande HWS Mean HRS = hard red spring; HWS = hard white spring; SWS = soft white spring.

12 Table Forage Barley Variety Trial, seeded in KBREC mineral soil (ranked by yield). Klamath Basin Research & Extension Center, Klamath Falls, OR. Entry Yield (lb/ac) Test Wt (lb/bu) Bird Damage (%) Lodging (%) Height (inch) 50% Heading (Day of Year) T/S Stockford T/S RH RH T/S Belford RH Sara RH RH Mean P value < <0.001 LSD (0.05) CV (%) Grain yields shaded in gray are not significantly different from the highest yield in this trial.

13 Table Forage Barley Variety Trial, seeded in Noonan Farms mineral soil (ranked by yield). Klamath Basin Research & Extension Center, Klamath Falls, OR. Entry Yield (lb/ac) Test Wt (lb/bu) Bird Damage (%) Lodging (%) Height (inch) 50% Heading (Day of Year) Belford T/S T/S T/S RH RH Sara Stockford RH RH RH Mean P value <0.001 LSD (0.05) NSD 2.9 NSD NSD NSD 3.4 CV (%)