Steven Prochaska, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent
To compare yields of red wheat varieties and white wheat varieties and to obtain agronomic information on white wheat production in Crawford County.
| Location: | Ohio State University | Tillage: | No-till |
| Unger Farm | Previous Crop: | Soybeans | |
| in Crawford County | Seeding Rate: | 120lbs/acre | |
| Soil Type: | Blount | ||
| Drainage: | Non-systematic | ||
A replicated study comparing red and white wheat varieties was implemented in the fall seasons of 1994 through 1997. Three red wheat varieties -- Pioneer 2545, Pioneer 2510, Freedom -- and three white wheat varieties -- Augusta, Frankenmuth, and Chelsea -- were selected for planting in 1994 based on previous milling data and yield performance. Varieties planted in 1995 suffered severe winter injury, and data were not taken. In 1996, one red wheat variety, Hopewell, and three white wheat varieties, Karena, Bavaria, Pioneer 2737W, were selected. Hopewell was again used in 1997 as well as Pioneer 2737W with the addition of Pioneer 25W33, a white wheat. Farmers are presently paid primarily for bushels, not quality, so it is important to evaluate white wheats with high-yielding red wheats.
| Wheat Yields by Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| White Wheat | Yield (bu/acre) | Red Wheat | Yield (bu/acre) |
| 1994-95 Growing Season* | |||
| Frankenmuth | 59 | Freedom | 63 |
| Augusta | 55 | Pioneer 2510 | 63 |
| Chelsea | 45 | Pioneer 2545 | 54 |
| Average | 53 | Average | 60 |
| 1996-97 Growing Season | |||
| Pioneer 2737W | 81 | Hopewell | 74 |
| Karena | 71 | ||
| Bavaria | 67 | ||
| Average | 73 | Average | 74 |
| 1997-98 Growing Season** | |||
| Pioneer 25W33 | 96 | Hopewell | 97 |
| Pioneer 2737W | 84 | ||
| Average | 90 | Average | 97 |
| * Yields for 1994-95 represent average of 2 test plots ** Yields for 1997-98 from the Ohio Performance Test plots conducted in Crawford County | |||
Across year averages for the three years of data, the overall mean of white wheat types is 72.0 bu/acre, and the mean for red wheat types is 77.0 bu/acre. The two means are not significantly different at P = 0.05 or P = 0.10 with F = 6.41 and a CV of 14.3% (based on year by wheat type interaction).
The yields of the varieties selected for these trials were not significantly different in terms of white wheat type versus red wheat types. Disease susceptibility, winter hardiness, and harvest dates were similar across types within each year.
For additional information, contact:
Dr. Steve Prochaska
Ohio State University Extension, Crawford County
117 East Mansfield Street
Bucyrus, OH 44820
419-562-8731
prochaska.1@osu.edu