
(~90 lb/a). Seeding rates were not adjusted for germination. Information pertaining
to the traits and characteristics of the commercial spring wheat cultivars are
provided in Table 1.
Dryland test plots consisted of a 16-foot, 4-row plot with 12-inch row spacing, while
irrigated plots were 16-foot, 7-row with 7-inch row spacing. All rows of each test
plot were trimmed 36 inches and harvested using an experimental plot combine.
Recorded grain yields were adjusted to 13% grain moisture content, and are
reported in bushels per acre (bu/a) based on a 60 pound standard bushel weight.
Test weight (lb/bu, pounds per bushel) and grain moisture content (%, percent)
were obtained for each plot using a Dickey-John GAC 2100 grain analyzer.
Grain protein (%, percent) was estimated using near infrared spectroscopy.
Reported grain protein values are adjusted to 12% grain moisture content. Plant
height was measured in inches from the soil surface to the top of the head,
excluding the awns if present. Lodging severity was recorded on a 0 to 9 scale, at
Huntley, Fromberg and Hysham, representing no lodging to all stems lying flat on
the ground, respectively.
RESULTS: The 2018 spring wheat test sites had above average rain or snow accumulation
during winter months except in October. High precipitation during March and April
resulted in wet condition that delayed planting of spring wheat at all location that
affected grain yield at most sites. Above-average soil moisture at spring wheat
planting and emergence resulted in good stand establishment. However, above
average rainfall in August and below average temperature throughout the 2018
growing season coupled with late planting not only delayed wheat maturity but also
resulted in lower grain yield at most sites in 2018 compared to previous years.
Spring wheat yield at Huntley under dryland condition averaged 71 bu/a in 2018
(Table 1). High yield at this location this year was mainly attributed to high moisture
availability throughout the growing season. ‘Choteau’ was the highest yielding
cultivar with 78 bu/a. Eleven other entries have the yield statistically equal to that
of highest yielding entry. Spring wheat test weight averaged 61.3 lb/bu and ranged
from 58.6 to 63.3 lb/bu. All commercial cultivar has test weight above 60 b/bu.
Grain protein content was high averaging 15.2 percent and all entries have protein
content over 14 percent. Averaged yield over the past two- and three-years was
72 and 65 bu/a respectively.
Dryland spring wheat yield at Broadview averaged 31 bu/a in 2018 (Table 2),
substantially higher compared to last year’s yield of 18 bu/a. This location usually
suffers with drought stress that limits the spring wheat yield in most years.
However, above-average precipitation this year attributed to higher yield at this
location. ‘MT1651’ was the highest yielding experimental line with 36 bu/a. Ten
other entries have the yield statistically equal to MT1651. ‘NS Presser CLP’ was
the highest yielding commercial cultivar at this location. Test weight averaged 62.1
lb/bu. All entries at Broadview have test weight above 60.0 lb/bu. Grain protein
content averaged 11.3 percent and ranged from 9.9 lb/bu for ‘Vida’ to 13.1 lb/bu
for ‘Brennan’. Averaged yield over the past two- and three-year was 24 and 20
bu/a respectively. Vida was the highest yielding cultivar averaged over the last
three years producing 22 bu/a at Broadview.
Irrigated spring wheat yield averaged 71 bu/a at Huntley in 2018 (Table 3). Lodging
score was low (1.4 out of 9). ‘Fortuna’, NS presser CLP and Vida showed relatively
higher level of lodging with a score of 5.0, 6.3, and 5.0 respectively. Grain yield
ranged from 54 bu/a for ‘Corbin’ to 84 bu/a for experimental line ‘MT1621’. Eight
other entries produced yield statistically equal to that of highest yielding cultivar.
‘SY Ingmar’ was the highest yielding commercial cultivars at Huntley under
irrigated condition. Test weight averaged 56.8 lb/bu. All entries had test weight
below 60 lb/bu. Grain protein levels were high and averaged 15.8 percent. All
entries has grain protein content above 14 percent. Experimental line ‘HRS 3419;
was the highest yielding line over the past two- (2017-18) and three-years (2016-