Progress 08/01/07 to 07/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: From 2008 through 2011, 56 wheat varieties and experimental lines were evaluated in organically-managed state variety trials (SVTO) at four locations for wheat yield, testweight, height, anthesis date and canopy cover, 18 for all four years, 8 for three years, and 16 for two years, including 14 cultivars tested prior to 2008. Canopy cover was measured with Greenseeker technology, digital photos (analyzed with VegIndex software) and visual rating at Feekes 8 stage. SVTO protein data for 2011 at two locations for top-dressing and manure treatments complemented four years of SVTO evaluations of top-dressing for protein enhancement at Haskell Ag Lab (HAL) using OMRI-approved liquid fermentation products at 20 lbs./acre N at boot stage (7-0-0 for two years, 3-0-0 in 2010 and 3-2-1 in 2011). UNL baking tests (2008 - 2010) and mixographs (2011) were conducted for SVTO entries and selected F9 lines. Industry collaborators conducted quality tests (vomitoxin content, baking, alveograph, viscosity and dietary fiber) in 2009. In 2010, flour was blended to obtain 12 % grain protein content for more relevant baking comparisons. Total phenolic acid and flavonoid content and antioxidant capacities were completed for 19 winter wheat cultivars from the 2010 and 2011 harvest at four locations and were analyzed with 2009 data across three years. A subset of 9 entries was analyzed for antioxidants across four years. About fifteen hundred experimental lines in F6 - F10 breeding nurseries were evaluated under organic management at two locations. Selections based on yields from conventional and organic management were compared. Sedimentation and mixograph quality of F6 entries was evaluated to determine worth for future crossing blocks. Manure and top-dressing treatments were studied for two years at HPAL and three years at HAL for effect on protein of a single wheat cultivar. Two years of various cover crops and methods of suppression (winter-kill, spring disk, flaming, and roller-crimping) were evaluated for the effect on subsequent crops of corn (Zea mays) (following legumes) and soybean (Glycine max) (following small grains). Following-up, twenty triticale experimental cultivars were evaluated in 2011 for biomass, weed density and seed germination as responses to suppression by flaming before or after crimping, or flaming alone. SVTO yield, agronomic results and research updates were made available after harvest each year on the internet and via email each year to up to 250 constituents. Summaries were presented at summer plot tours at all four locations each year. Comparisons between organic and conventional breeding data and methods were reported in a peer-reviewed journal. Three Annual Organic Wheat Conferences at either Mead or Ogallala NE provided farmers and industry with research updates and opportunities to provide input. Beyond the scope of the grant: Variety trials were continued for 2012 and 2013 at fewer locations; and seed of promising experimental lines and cultivars was provided to South Dakota (2011 and 2012 seasons) for weed competition studies, and to Iowa (2010 season), New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont (fall 2012) for performance trials. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Observations of bunt contaminated seed (Tilletia caries) in the fifth year pared from nine experimental hard winter wheat lines to four that met baking quality and agronomic criteria: NW07555 and NW03666 statewide, and NE07444 and NE02558 for sub-humid ecozones. Unfortunately, these lines have short coleoptiles and on the other hand, the latter three had high digestible fiber in tests in 2009. UNL provided seed of the latter three lines to a Nebraska organic farm coop for increase and licensing. NW07505 is being increased for potential release for both organic and conventional production. Of released cultivars, only three met organic production criteria statewide: Camelot and potentially Lyman for the bread market; and Overland for the breakfast cereal market. Karl 92 represents a tradeoff between consistently high quality and low yields. Of the above, only Camelot had acceptable yield and testweight in very wet conditions in Iowa in 2010. Recent additions of three experimental lines to the SVTO first screened in F6 organic plots have long coleoptiles suitable for the semi-arid ecozone: NE06545, NE08457 and NE09491. NE10525, one of four F6 lines singled out for strong gluten quality for future crossing, has a long coleoptile. Crosses with promising experimental lines are represented in 2013 F3 nurseries. Tests of promising lines on commercial organic farms revealed that protein was inadequate for the bread market. Farmers were aware that top-dressing significantly improved protein in three of five organic plot trials. Available top-dressing products were considered too expensive by the farmers (fermented liquid fertilizer) or were not approved for the Japanese market (Chilean nitrate). A Nebraska manufacturer is seeking OMRI approval for a product that could remedy this situation. The final two years of antioxidant testing confirmed top and bottom-ranked lines for phenolic acids, flavonoids and ORAC. For 2010 - 2011, NW07505, NE05425 and McGill were consistently the highest of the 19 entries for flavonoids and Pronghorn and Buckskin were consistently the lowest at each location. For 2009-2011, McGill was in the top quartile for all three parameters and Buckskin ranked 17th of 17. Of nine common entries (excluding McGill) from 2008-2011, Pronghorn and Buckskin ranked 8 and 9, and Overland ranked in the top quartile for all three parameters. Interactions of entries with years and locations were evident in four-year but not in three-year analysis, indicating that testing for multiple years and locations may be necessary before using the data to make selections. As a follow-up to poor suppression of volunteer cover crop growth by either flaming or crimping, crimping then flaming resulted in ten times fewer viable seeds and three times less regrowth of triticale than with the treatment of flaming alone, with no detectable differences among 20 triticale lines. Significant differences existed among lines for vegetation index, but not for percent kill or viable seeds, suggesting an advantage of some lines for biomass, but not for suppression. Of the 20 lines tested, the tall triticale, NT10430, excelled for vegetation index a week after treatment.
Publications
- Baenziger, P.S., R. A. Graybosch, T. Regassa, L.A. Nelson, R. N. Klein, D. K. Santra, D.D. Baltensperger, L. Xu, S. N. Wegulo, Y. Jin, J. Kolmer, Ming-shun Chen, and Guihua Bai. 2012. Registration of NE01481 hard red winter wheat. Journal of Plant Registrations 6:49-53.
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Progress 08/01/10 to 07/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results from 2011 organic wheat variety trials (SVTO) and breeding nurseries for yield, testweight, height, and anthesis date are available on the web and will not be reported here. Canopy cover was measured with Greenseeker technology at Feekes 8 stage for all nurseries and locations. Micro-quality tests for breeding nurseries and canopy cover will be included only in the final report. Protein data in 2011 for SVTO at four Nebraska research stations (HAL, ARDC, SCAL and HPAL) is reported here in the context of summarizing protein enhancement efforts. Baking tests for the previous year (2010) of 39 cultivars advanced to SVTO were conducted using reduction flour of 50:50 composite samples of two locations, HPAL and ARDC, blended to obtain grain protein content of 12.0 percent. Eight of these samples were also evaluated at Heartland Mill, Inc. by alveograph. Phenolic acid levels were determined for 19 winter wheat cultivars from the 2010 harvest at four locations. Antioxidant analyses for 2011 are in process. The second year of cover crop experiments at HAL were completed and are summarized for both years. Third and fourth year SVTO evaluations of protein enhancement at HAL using OMRI-approved liquid N top-dressing were completed. In 2010, 20 lbs./acre N from an approved 3-0-0 organic liquid fertilizer were applied in a single treatment at boot stage. In 2011, the N source was switched to a 3-2-1 liquid by-product of ethanol production, (since the fermented products used in previous years, 7-0-0 and 3-0-0, were no longer OMRI-listed), and was applied at both HAL and ARDC. At SCAL, manure was applied to three reps of the SVTO to evaluate protein enhancement of cultivars. The third and final year of wheat data for the wheat fertility study at HPAL and HAL has been collected. Grain and straw is being analyzed for total N. Once these data are received, data analysis for the entire study will begin. At HAL, twenty triticale experimental cultivars were evaluated as a cover crop in 2011. Triticale biomass and weed density were evaluated for suppression by flaming before or after crimping, disking, and mowing. Mature triticale seed data will be collected before analysis is conducted. Two years of a cover crop experiment were evaluated for the effect on subsequent crops of corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max). Leguminous cover crops were planted prior to corn, and small grain cover crops prior to soybeans. Treatments were winter-kill, spring disk, flaming, and roller-crimping. Data on weed suppression, cover crop dry matter production, soil moisture, soil fertility, and yield was collected. SVTO yield, agronomic results and research updates were made available on the UNL Variety Testing and UNL Small Grains Breeding websites and via email to 250 constituents after harvest. Summaries from the previous year were presented at plot tours at all four locations, attended by 46 constituents and media in June 2011. Comparisons between organic and conventional breeding data were reported in the on-line Sustainability journal, which received over 700 abstract views and 170 full-text views since publication in August. PARTICIPANTS: As indicated in a previous section, Heartland Mill, Inc. did quality tests on UNL organic wheat samples. Two organic farmers who are also certified seedsmen, grew increases of McGill, NW03681 and NE05425. Heartland Mill, Inc. will stone-grind flour of these three increases for distribution to bakers. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: On farm testing of protein enhancement treatments was curtailed by loss of OMRI-approved status of affordable top-dressing treatments. Farmers have been keenly interested in applying our results to their farms, but did not see a cost benefit for currently available products. On-farm testing of small grain cover crops was not possible within the time-frame of this grant, since there was not an opportunity to increase seed of the favored triticale cultivars between the time of testing at the experiment station and the time needed for planting on the farm. Growing of unreleased cultivars on farms was hampered by the need for material transfer agreements and the requirement that the UNL breeding program retain control over the seed. Seed availability was another issue, as the foundation seed program uses Storicide, a food-grade insecticide which is not OMRI-approved, on all seed increased for release to farmers. This limited us to quantities that could be readily produced within the breeding program. An agreement must be worked out in which foundation seed can be grown either on organic farms or university organic land. Therefore, we distributed our limited quantity to only two farmers who were familiar and willing to work within the restrictions.
Impacts
For the third and fourth consecutive years, N top-dressing trials in the SVTO at HAL provided positive results for protein response. In 2010 half of the 36 cultivars increased protein content by more than 0.7 % on a 13 % moisture basis. Of those cultivars, twelve increased to above an 11.5% protein content threshold that would position them for a higher value market. Some of the increased protein content could be attributed to lower grain yield. However, five cultivars increased in both protein content and yield of which two, MCGILL (increased by 10.2 bu/acre and 1.05 percent) and SD07165 (increased by 11.5 bu/acre and 1.68 percent protein), are of commercial interest. For a subset of 20 of the 2010 cultivars in the SVTO, we found significant differences in phenol content among locations (HAL 0.635, HPAL 0.619, SCAL 0.570, ARDC 0.467 mg/g, lsd = 0.042) and among wheat cultivars at HAL and SCAL, but not at ARDC or HPAL. Interactions between genotype and locations were marginally significant (p = 0.105). NW07505 ranked at the top at Haskell for phenols, but toward the bottom at Clay Center. On the other hand, MCGILL (0.718 and 0.663 mg/g) and Alice (0.730 and 0.633 mg/g) ranked at the top and HATCHER (0.535 and 0.478 mg/g) ranked near the bottom at both locations (HAL and SCAL, respectively). Yield was positively correlated and height was negatively correlated with phenol content in 2010 across locations and at SCAL, but together only accounted for 7 percent of the variation in phenol content. Of the top 15 in the SVTO for bread score in 2010, eight were also in the top 15 the previous year: NW03666, NE01481 (MCGILL), PRONGHORN, NE04424, NE02558, NW03681, NE07569, and NE05425. MCGILL had the best loaf volume, slice area, and exterior score. Of eight samples evaluated by alveograph, NE02558 tested very good, NE04424 was good and NE05496 and NW03681 were acceptable. Others were marginal to unacceptable. Several experimental wheat lines have been outperforming most released varieties for yield and bread quality. NW07505, NE07444, and NE02558 were among the five top-ranking lines for eastern Nebraska in the 2010 SVTO. Two exemplary lines, NE04424 (which ranked third for yield in 2010 in eastern Nebraska and fifth at HPAL), and NW03681 (first in yield rank at HPAL in 2010) were discontinued from the conventional breeding program, but continue to show promise in the organic sector. Also discontinued from the conventional program, NE05425, with its strong gluten, has promise for the whole wheat bread market. MCGILL is suited for conventional and organic production systems that have adequate nitrogen, although the protein content threshold for excellent bread production is unknown. For the cover crop experiment, we concluded that winter-kill and spring disk treatments produced the highest average yields in corn and soybean, at 6.83 Mg/ha (corn) and 2.66 Mg/ha (soybean). The roller-crimper and flaming treatments both reduced yields by 68% and 62% in corn, and by 36% and 27% in soybeans, respectively. Differences in weed control and crop population were the apparent causes of the yield reductions.
Publications
- Baenziger, P.S., I. Salah, R.S. Little, D.K. Santra, T. Regassa, M.Y. Wang. 2011. Structuring and efficient organic wheat breeding program. Sustainability 3:1190-1205; doi:10.3390/su3081190
- Glett, D.W., C. Shapiro, S. Knezevic, E. Sarno, M. Mainz, L. Junck. 2011. Soybean and Corn Growth As Influenced by Methods for Controlling Previous Cover Crop, Including Winter Kill, Flaming, Disking, and Crimping. Poster presented at 2011 ASA-CSA-SSSA International Conference, October 2011.
- Regassa, T. H., R.N. Klein, B. Anderson, P.S. Baenziger, and J. Krall. 2011. University of Nebraska Winter Wheat Variety Trial Results downloadable by location in xls format and as a pdf document for all locations, entitled 2010 Seed Guide Extension Circular 103 http://cropwatch.unl.edu/web/varietytest/wheat. The Seed Guide is also available in hard copy from UNL Extension.
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Progress 08/01/09 to 07/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We planted and harvested and collected yield, testweight, height, anthesis date and protein data for the state variety trials on certified organic land (SVTO) at four Nebraska research stations (HAL, ARDC, SCAL and HPAL) and the F6 and F7 breeding nurseries and NIN-Nebraska Interstate Nursery (F8-F10) at ARDC and HPAL. We also scored leaf- spotting diseases at ARDC and HAL. Wheat competitiveness against weeds was evaluated with photos of all plots at stem elongation stage. Coleoptile length was measured for all lines advanced beyond F5. Gluten strength was assessed with sedimentation tests for lines from the conventional F5 nursery selected for the F6 nursery and all four locations for SVTO. Baking tests of 37 lines advanced to SVTO were conducted using reduction flour of composite samples of two locations, HPAL and ARDC. Micro-quality tests including mixograph, single kernel hardness and rapid visco analyzer were performed on lines advanced to NIN. Antioxidant capacities were determined for 21 winter wheat varieties that were previously screened for phenolic and flavonoid levels for samples harvested in 2008 at four locations. Ten of the same hard red winter wheat varieties from the 2009 Variety Trials at four locations were also evaluated. Twenty-five composite samples from the four organic SVTO locations were milled and evaluated by Baystate Milling and Heartland Mill, Inc. Kellogg Company evaluated 37 samples from HPAL for digestible fiber and starch viscosity. To eliminate the partial fallow that can exist between winter wheat harvest in July and spring row crop planting two years of cover crop experiments were conducted at HAL. In the first year, the effects of four residue management methods (winter kill, spring disk, roller/crimper, and flaming) were measured by the yield of spring row crops that followed. The second year of cover crop experiments at HAL are in process. A third year of evaluation of protein enhancement using OMRI-approved liquid nitrogen source for top-dressing is being completed for all varieties in the 2010 SVTO at HAL. The second year of the HPAL soil fertility trial, with dry pea green manure and composted cattle manure treatments, was completed in summer 2010 with the collection of wheat yield, wheat nitrogen content and soil nitrate levels. Suppression of winter wheat as a cover crop using broadcast flaming was evaluated at HAL in 2010. Treatments were three rates of propane at boot stage on 30 cultivars. SVTO yield and agronomic results were made available on the UNL Variety Testing website immediately after harvest to aid farmers planting decisions and at the day-long UNL Second Organic Wheat Conference attended by over 80 farmers at Ogallala, NE (12-11-09), co-sponsored by NEOCIA#2 and SARE. Representatives of UNL, Heartland Mill, Inc. and Baystate Milling presented quality data at the conference. Advisors met with researchers following the conference and provided periodic input through phone conferences. Periodic research updates were posted on the UNL organic website, which received 175 unique hits for 12 months, averaging 1.5 minutes per hit. PARTICIPANTS: Teshome Regassa, as indicated in the 2009 report, should be listed as an investigator, as he replaced Len Nelson as the director of Crop Perfomance Testing, and is responsible for state variety trial plots. As indicated in a previous section, Baystate Milling, Heartland Mill, Inc. and Kellogg Company did quality tests on UNL organic wheat samples. Representatives of Baystate and Heartland Mill presented the data at the Second Organic Wheat Conference. TARGET AUDIENCES: The express objectives of the Second Organic Wheat Conference held in Ogalalla, Nebraska on October 11, 2009 were: to plan a framework for variety release of small grain specialty varieties that serves all segments of the organic wheat community; and to reveal opportunities for the organic wheat industry to flourish. Small group discussions among farmers and seed and milling industry representatives were recorded. Discussion notes were presented at the Organic Advisory Committee Meeting immediately following the meeting. The distilled viewpoints were represented by Richard Little at the State of Organic Seed Breeding Symposium prior to the M.O.S.E.S. conference in Wisconsin in February 2010. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Germplasm selections for our organic variety trial are focused on quality traits for bread, with a secondary emphasis on yield. Several experimental wheat lines have been outperforming most released varieties for yield and bread quality. Two exemplary lines, NW03681 and NE04424, were discontinued from the conventional breeding program, but continue to show promise in the organic sector. NW03681 is a white complement to the red phenomenon, Hatcher, in the western part of the state, with a similar high yield and excellent baking quality. However, neither line can be planted deep when topsoil is dry, because of short coleoptiles. Among long-coleoptile, good bread quality lines, NE06469, may replace lower-yielding Buckskin, the predominant organic variety in western Nebraska. Organic plots with low nitrogen availability enabled us to identify lower protein lines that make a good loaf of bread. Of this group, NW07505 yielded near the top at all locations for yield. For 2008 harvest samples, antioxidant capacities did not mirror phenolics and flavonoid levels or the ratio between the two for hard red wheat lines. Dramatically lower phenolic levels for two hard white wheat lines, Alice and NW03681were reflected in lower antioxidant capacities at two locations, but not at a third location. Preliminary analyses for ten hard red winter wheat samples from the 2009 harvest revealed that phenolic and flavonoid levels did not differ significantly from 2008. For the soil fertility experiment at HPAL, yield and test weight differences among treatments were more pronounced for the 2010 crop than the 2009 crop. The reduced wheat yield following green manure fallow (51.6 bu/ac) compared to traditional black fallow (67.7 bu/ac) can be attributed directly to reduced soil water at wheat seeding following green manure fallow. No grain protein differences were observed in the 2009 winter wheat crop and have not yet been determined for the 2010 crop. A small plot of a promising alternative cover crop, Laramie annual medic (Medicago rigidula), for which seed availability was extremely limited, was planted for observation. Protein and sedimentation measurements for the HAL N-Top-dressing trial are in process. For the cover crop experiment following wheat at HAL in 2009, the roller crimper and the flamer were not able to control the cover crops and the weeds that were growing at the time when treatments were imposed. A late spring treatment was necessary for the small grain cover crops (rye and triticale) to be mature enough to be killed. Final corn stands were 29400 and 38700 plants per ha for the roller crimper and flamer compared to 48200 and 48000 for the winter kill (which was disked) and disk. Use of the roller or flamer did not meet the objectives of reducing tillage and suppressing weeds in 2009. Yields were greatly reduced for corn for flamer and roller crimper treatments. When compared to the two disked treatments corn yields were 21 and 41 %, respectively. Soybeans compensated better with the roller crimper and flamer yields being 66 and 78% of the disked soybean yields, respectively. Data has not been analyzed for wheat suppression via flaming.
Publications
- Regassa, T. H., R.N. Klein, B. Anderson, P.S. Baenziger, and J. Krall. 2010. University of Nebraska Winter Wheat Variety Trial Results downloadable by location in xls format and as a pdf document for all locations, entitled 2010 Seed Guide Extension Circular 103 http://cropwatch.unl.edu/web/varietytest/wheat. The Seed Guide is also available in hard copy from UNL Extension.
- Ahrens, D., V. Schlegel, R. Zbasnik, R. Little, P.S. Baezinger, R. Regassa. 2010. Effects of different Nebraska agri-eco environments on the polyphenols and their antioxidant capabilities of organically grown wheat. Poster presented at the seminar Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences (UCARE). University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- Ulloa, S. M., A. Datta, S. Z. Knezevic. 2010. Growth stage impacts tolerance of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to broadcast flaming. Crop Protection 29:1130-1135.
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Progress 08/01/08 to 07/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We planted and harvested and collected yield, testweight, height, anthesis date and protein data for the state variety trials on certified organic land (SVTO) at four Nebraska research stations (HAL, ARDC, SCAL and HPAL) and the F6 and F7 breeding nurseries and NIN-Nebraska Interstate Nursery (F8-F10) at ARDC and HPAL. We also scored leaf rust and green leaf duration at ARDC. Assessment for wheat competitiveness against weeds was simplified to one measurement of canopy cover, with photos of all plots at stem elongation stage assessed in a database application we developed. Coleoptile length was measured and gluten strength was assessed with sedimentation tests for all lines advanced beyond F6. Baking tests of 90 lines were conducted using reduction flour of composite samples of either two locations (NIN) or four locations (SVTO). Ten red winter wheat varieties from each of four locations and an additional eleven entries from HPAL, including white wheat lines, were screened for bound and unbound fractions of phenols and flavonoids (antioxidants). Soil fertility, nitrogen top-dressing and cover crop experiments at HAL initiated in 2008 were completed. Cover Crop trial treatments were: 10 cover crops planted in fall 2008 following winter wheat, 4 cover crop kill methods (flamer, disk, roller/crimper and winter kill) and 2 subsequent crops (soybeans and corn). Measurements included soil moisture prior to planting cover crops and periodic estimation of percent kill of broadleaf weeds, grassy weeds and cover crop. Prior to harvest, plant population was estimated for both crops and chlorophyll readings were taken on corn. For the final evaluation of nitrogen top-dressing with Summit Ten on varieties in the SVTO at HAL, wheat samples were analyzed for protein and sedimentation. The HAL Fertility trial, with manure rate, manure timing, and supplemental nitrogen (Summit Ten) treatments, was completed with the collection of wheat yield and protein data. The first year of the HPAL fertility trial, with dry pea green manure, composted cattle manure, and Summit Ten treatments, was completed in summer 2009 with the collection of wheat yield, wheat nitrogen content and soil nitrate levels. Winter wheat tolerance to broadcast flaming was evaluated at HAL in 2008 and 2009. In the first study a single variety of winter wheat was flamed once at four growth stages: 4 leaves, 3 tillers (3T), stem elongation (SES), and boot stage. In the second study 29 organic winter wheat varieties were flamed at two growth stages (3T and SES). SVTO results were made available on the Variety Test website immediately after harvest to aid farmers planting decisions and at the following events attended by over 100 farmers: SCAL and ARDC farm tours (August 2008); booth at the Western Conference in Sidney (12-6-08); a day-long UNL Organic Wheat Conference sponsored by NE-OCIA#1 at ARDC (1-10-09); presentations to OCIA International in Lincoln and to NE-OCIA#2 and HPAL board in Sidney (all in February 2009). Periodic research updates were posted on the UNL organic website. Advisors met with researchers in Lexington (12-16-08) and provided periodic input through phone conferences. PARTICIPANTS: NEOCIA 1 sponsored our first UNL Organic Wheat Conference. Dr. Dipak Santra, UNL Alternative Crops Breeding faculty, took over responsibility for the organic breeding trials at HPAL. Dr. Teshome Regassa assumed duties for state variety testing. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Despite high yield performance, two varieties with consistently poor testweight (TW) were discontinued from further testing (Harry) or removed from recommendation for organic production (Wahoo) in response to organic grain buyer criteria. Buckskin, popular in western Nebraska with grain buyers for high TW and excellent milling quality and with organic farmers for tall height and long coleoptile, yielded tenth of 30 at HPAL in 2009, and yielded erratically in previous years. Old popular varieties added to the 2009 SVTO trial, Karl 92 and Clarks Cream, yielded poorly at all locations. Despite low TW, NE03490 was retained for excellent gluten quality and high yields. Several lines were advanced exclusively to 2010 SVTO based on performance in organic trials: NE05425 (baking and canopy cover), NW03681 (milling and baking quality), NE04424 (antioxidant levels) NW07505 and NE07444 (milling, baking and NIN yield). White wheat lines tested dramatically lower for all antioxidant fractions than most red wheat lines. Although all antioxidant fractions differed significantly among entries and locations, variety ranks for these fractions were the same for all locations. To remedy a shortage in the breeding program, germplasm with long coleoptiles and drought resistance from Australia crossed with regionally adapted lines, was obtained from Oklahoma. The HAL N-Top-dressing trial showed significant improvement for protein (mean increase of .75 in 2009) for plots treated with Summit Ten, and significant differences among varieties. In the first year of the HPAL Fertility trial, reduction of wheat grain yields following green manure compared to summer fallow was likely the result of decreased soil water at winter wheat seeding following green manure. Nitrogen removal rates were greater following summer fallow compared to green manure, suggesting mineralization rates were too slow to benefit winter wheat. Few treatment differences were observed among the composted manure or liquid fertilizer treatments. We will continue to follow soil nitrate levels and nitrogen removal in the 2009 sunflower crop following winter wheat. The HAL organic fertility trial concluded with wheat averaging less following alfalfa (53.8 bu/acre) than following corn (57.4 bu/acre). Alfalfa regrowth likely impacted wheat yields due to competition for moisture, but may add benefit as a hay crop or as a nitrogen source for a future crop. Fall manure application averaged 7 bu/acre more than spring or no manure applications. Late spring manure application damaged the crop and reduced yields by 5 bu/acre compared to the no manure fall application. Grain protein was not affected by manure rate, but was increased from 13.3 to 13.7 % for the later timing, and from 13.3 to 13.6 for the higher N top-dressing rate. In the Flaming Trial wheat plants recovered 28 days after treatment regardless of the growth stage. However, significant yield losses of as much as 60% occurred when flaming was done at 4L and BS stages. Significantly lower yield losses of about 21% and 32% occurred when wheat was flamed at the 3T and SES stages, respectively, with little difference in visual injury among varieties.
Publications
- Regassa, T. H., R.N. Klein, B. Anderson, P.S. Baenziger, and J. Krall. 2009. University of Nebraska XLS, PDF and HTML 2009 Winter Wheat Variety Trial Results. (Wheat Book in PDF format). http://varietytest.unl.edu/winterwheat/WinterWheat2009.html
- Knezevic, S. J.F. Neto, S.M. Ulloa and A. Datta 2009. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) tolerance to broadcast flaming. The 8th EWRS workshop on Physical and Cultural Weed control. Pages 104-109, Zaragoza, Spain, 9-11 March 2009.
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Progress 08/01/07 to 07/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We planted and harvested the state variety trials on certified organic land at four Nebraska research stations [Concord (HAL), Mead (ARDC), Clay Center (SCAL) and Sidney (HPAL)] and the F5, F6 and F7-F12 breeding nurseries at Mead and Sidney. Protein tests were conducted immediately after harvest on all entries. End-use quality evaluations are ongoing. We are using the organic testing sites and input from organic farmers and food industry personnel to determine if we need to develop a selection protocol for organic production. Wheat competitiveness against weeds was estimated by measuring plant height, canopy closure and light reaching the ground (using a Quantum Sensor) at three growth stages in the variety trial plots at the four locations. Testing for coleoptile length was broadened to include nurseries preceding the variety test to enable selection for this criterion for organic production. A crossing block is being assembled for developing lines with excellent bread-making quality at moderate or lower protein levels, to match the typically lower-nitrogen environments of organic farms. A preliminary nitrogen top-dressing study (spraying a fermented poultry manure and plant-based product) was conducted to raise protein content without harming the plants. A dilution experiment was conducted prior to treating the variety trial plots. Two of the five reps of the organic variety trials at Mead and Sidney were then top-dressed at half strength at 7 lbs N/acre at early stem elongation (Zadocks 3.0) and 7 lbs N/acre three weeks later. Chlorophyll data were taken as a preliminary estimate of protein response. Four reps of wheat variety trial plots were flamed at 3 propane rates and 2 growth stages (early stem-elongation for weed control and boot stage for suppression as a cover crop). At wheat heading stage (in mid-June), 25 farmers attended organic wheat variety trial plot tours at Mead (ARDC) and Concord (Haskell) research stations. Variety descriptions and preliminary results for canopy closure and chlorophyll responses to nitrogen top-dressing were presented. A flamer was demonstrated. Flaming trials on wheat variety trial plots were toured at Concord. Similar information was presented to extension personnel during a July bus tour of Concord and Clay Center organic plots. Wheat organic variety trial results were made available on-line immediately after harvest. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Organic seed producers and growers, millers and bakers, and consumers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Interestingly, the tall or conventional height wheat cultivars (Goodstreak and Pronghorn) did best across the four environments in 2008. One new line with an excellent yield record in eastern Nebraska, NE01481, that also has great end-use quality and very good disease resistance (including soilborne mosaic virus resistance--rare in our releases), is being increased for conventional and organic production. In addition, NI04421, which has an excellent conventional grain yield history, has been dropped from consideration as an organic wheat due to its susceptibility to stinking smut. Ironically, the line that did best in our elite trial grown in organic conditions was NH03614 (released as Settler CL), an herbicide-resistant wheat that is unlikely to be used in organic production. We are beginning to understand how best to incorporate data from our organic trials to help select and identify wheat lines ideally suited for organic production. Many of our best lines do equally well in organic and conventional production, but it also appears that organic production weights some attributes more importantly than does conventional production. For example, tall wheat cultivars seem to be favored in organic production (at least in 2008), but in conventional production they often lodge and would be discarded. Lodging appears to occur less often in organic production than in conventional production. The taller varieties at various growth stages, with a few exceptions, appeared to provide more shade to compete against weeds in 2008. A long coleoptile, which is highly correlated with plant height, is desired when planting deep to reach moisture in dry locations. In breeding for conventional production, very few of the recently released varieties and advanced lines have exhibited long coleoptiles. Unfortunately, none of the lines in the F6 and F7 nurseries with very long coleoptiles performed well enough to select for retention in 2009 nurseries. However, three experimental lines, NE07487 and NW03681 and NE01481, that have moderately long coleoptiles (at least 8.3 cm) plus good baking quality, performed well enough to be retained in 2009 nurseries. In dilution experiments for the nitrogen top-dressing study, scant injury of the flag leaf was reported using full strength product at 15 lbs. N/acre at Concord and no visual damage occurred at Sidney. Significant differences existed between treated and untreated reps for chlorophyll readings at Concord, but not at Sidney. Differences between varieties were non-significant. Protein data are yet to be analyzed. Results of the study were used in planning a split split-plot fertility trial with different rates of manure, top-dress N and presence or absence of cover crop. Because of the positive results from the flaming experiment, flaming is being considered as the primary weed control practice for the organic wheat breeding nurseries.
Publications
- Nelson, L.A., R.N. Klein, B. Anderson, P.S. Baenziger, and J. Krall. 2008. University of Nebraska XLS, PDF and HTML Winter Wheat Variety Trial Results. (Wheat Book in PDF format). http://varietytest.unl.edu/winterwheat/2008.html
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