Ohio State University Extension Bulletin

Agronomic Crops Team On-Farm Research Projects 2001

Special Circular 187


Wheat

Comparison of Soft Red and Hard Red Wheat Yields in a Modified Relay Intercrop (MRI) System

Steve Prochaska, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent

Objective

To compare the yields of soft red and hard red wheat in an MRI system.

Background

Cooperator: Ohio State University Extension Soil Test: pH 6.6, P 63 lb/A, K 245 lb/A
Unger Farm Fertilizer:   27-69-60 actual N-P-K per A
County: Crawford   (Fall); 28% (99 lb/A actual N)
Nearest Town: Bucyrus   on March 26
Soil Type: Pewamo clay loam and Variety: See Methods
  Blount silt loam Planting Rate: 120 lb/A
Drainage: Systematic Planting Date: Wheat 10/4/00
Previous Crop: Soybeans   Soybean 6/5/01
Tillage: Disk    

Methods

A completely randomized block design in small plots (5.5 x 50 feet) was used to evaluate the effect of varying wheat type, soft red wheat and hard red wheat, in an MRI system. Agra 962 was chosen to represent soft red wheat because of its high-yield capability (98 bu/A over three years in the Ohio Wheat Performance Test at Bucyrus) and its adaptability to MRI. Hondo was chosen as the hard red wheat, because grain buyers are offering a premium for it, providing quality standards are met.

Agra 962 was seeded at a rate of 1.3-million seeds/A. Hondo was seeded at a rate of 1.5 million seeds/A. Planting was done with a three-point hitch-mounted tool-bar planter equipped with sunflower openers. Six replications of the wheat varieties were planted. Both varieties were planted in 15-inch rows. Soybeans were interseeded with the same planter. Wheat harvest data was from complete harvest of plots done with a small plot combine. Yield was adjusted to a moisture of 13.5%.

Results

Table 1. Wheat Yield @ 13.5% Moisture.
Treatments Yield
(bu/A)
Red wheat 74.5
White wheat 67.0
LSD (0.05) NS
F 3.1
CV (%) 8.5

Summary

The wheat yields were not significantly different. Based on this one-year study, Ohio farmers should be able to grow either type of winter wheat under similar conditions with no or minimal yield difference.

For more information, contact:

Steve Prochaska
Ohio State University Extension, Crawford County
117 E. Mansfield St.
Bucyrus, Ohio 44820
prochaska.1@osu.edu


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