Research Centers

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The Department of Research Centers was created in 1994. The Department represents the faculty and staff that conduct research and outreach programs at 7 off-campus research centers.

Central Agricultural Research Center

Eastern Agricultural Research Center

Northern Agricultural Research Center

Northwestern Agricultural Research Center

Southern Agricultural Research Center

Western Agricultural Research Center

Western Triangle Ag Research Center

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Bio-Priming Seed Treatment for Biological Control of Pythium Ultimum Preemergence Damping-Off in SH-2 Sweet Corn
(American Phytopathological Society, 1990) Callan, Nancy W.; Mathre, Don; Miller, James B.
Sweet corn (Zea mays) with the shZ gene for enhanced sugar content is highly susceptible to preemergence damping-off, caused primarily by Pythium ultimum in Montana’s Bìtterroot Valley. Rhizosphere bacteria that adhered to hyphae of P. ultimum and were antagonistic to the growth of this pathogen were isolated from Bitterroot Valley soils. An isolate of Pseudomonas fluorescens, AB254, provided superior seed protection from Pythium damping-off in naturally infested soils. At least 1 X 100,000,000 cfu per seed of AB254 was needed to achieve maximum protection. In a process we have termed “bio-priming,” dry seed was coated with P. fluorescens AB254 and allowed to imbibe water under warm temperatures until a 35-40% moisture content was achieved. During bio-priming, bacterial populations increased from 10 to over l0,000-fold, depending on initial inoculum level. Bio-priming provided protection against damping-off as good as or better than seed treatment with metalaxyl when the seeds were planted in cold soil. This process may be of interest and value to growers who wish to plant sweet corn or other temperature-sensitive crops into cold soils where damping-off is a problem and the use of chemical seed treatments is not desired.
Combined Biological and Chemical Seed Treatments for Control of Two Seedling Diseases of SH2 Sweet Corn
(American Phytopathological Society, 1995) Mathre, Don; Johnston, Robert H.; Callan, Nancy W.; Mohan, S.K.; Martin, John M.
Experiments were conducted in both the glasshouse and in the to determine if biological and chemical control agents could be used together on sweet com (Zea mays L.) seed to control Pythium ultimum damping-off or Penicillium oxalicum seedling disease. Pseudomonas aureofaciens AB254 and Pseudomonas sp. AB842 were used for control of P. ultimum and P. oxalicum, respectively. Metalaxyl seed treatment for control of P. ultimum was used at rates from 100 to 0.01% of the recommended rate either alone or in combination with P. aureofaciens AB254. Imazalil seed treatment for control of P. oxalicum was used at rates from 100 to 1% of the recommended rate either alone or in combination with Pseudomonas sp. AB842. In field tests, combining a chemical treatment with the biological agent did not affect the efficacy of disease control. Nor did combining low rates of chemical with the biocontrol agent increase the efficacy or reliability of disease control.
From Discovery to Use: Traversing the World of Commercializing Biocontrol Agents for Plant Disease Control
(American Phytopathological Society, 1999) Mathre, Don; Cook, R. J.; Callan, Nancy W.
Microorganisms play an enormously important role in plant disease control. As naturally occurring resident antagonists, they can be managed or exploited to achieve the desired results. They are responsible for the “crop rotation effect,” which is possibly still the single most important disease management tool used worldwide. On the other hand, the addition of organic materials such as compost, barnyard manure, and green manure is known to intensify the soil-sanitizing benefits of resident antagonists so much that it is sometimes possible to eliminate the need for crop rotation. Entomology is commonly used as the standard for success with biological control agents introduced into the environment. Compared case-for-case, plant pathology is a barely-visible distant second to entomology. In fact, we would have to say it is a distant third, since there are more successful cases with introduced biological control agents of weeds—herbivorous insects and pathogens—than of plant diseases. On the other hand, if we narrow the comparison to biological control with introduced micro-organisms, plant pathology begins to look quite respectable. Examples of biological control sparked the current and much more successful effort with plant-associated microorganisms as agents introduced for biological control of plant pathogens.
Durum Variety Evaluation in Off-Station and Re-Crop Trials Near Moccasin, Denton, Fort Benton, and Winifred (2000)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2000) Lanning, Susan P.; Philips, Dave; Sharp, Gail L.; Talbert, Luther E.; Vavrovsky, Joe; Wargo, Judee; Wichman, David M.
This report evaluates the performance of spring durum varieties in environments and cropping methods representative of the southern triangle and central Montana. Durum yields were below average at all locations except the Denton site where yields were equal to the 4-year average for that location. Test weights were below average at all sites this year with the average over all sites and all cultivars being 57.5 lbs/bu. The Uniform Statewide Durum trial planted at Moccasin consisted of 20 entries with McNeal planted as a hard red spring wheat check. The off-station trials planted at Denton, Fort Benton, and Winifred consisted of 10 entries plus McNeal as a check. Low rainfall at the Fort Benton site was very apparent in all parameters measured in the durum trials. No cultivar yielded as well as McNeal spring wheat when averaged across the four locations, however, several entries planted at Moccasin in the Statewide nursery yielded as well or higher than McNeal. Grain proteins for all cultivars were well above the 13.5% minimum standard acceptable to buyers.
Spring Wheat Variety Evaluation in Off-Station and Re-Crop Trials Near Moccasin, Denton, Fort Benton, and Winifred (2000)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2000) Lanning, Susan P.; Philips, Dave; Sharp, Gail L.; Talbert, Luther E.; Vavrovsky, Joe; Wargo, Judee; Wichman, David M.
To evaluate the performance of spring wheat varieties in environments and cropping methods representative of the southern triangle and central Montana. Yields ranged from 11 to 34 bu/a with the highest yields at the Moccasin site. Low moisture at the Fort Benton site contributed to lower than average yields. Spring wheat yields were below average at all four locations and varied greatly depending on available moisture. McNeal and Scholar, both released by Montana State University, yielded well as did Reeder, a new release from North Dakota. The average yield across all locations and all cultivars was 24.8 bu/a. The above average grain protein measured at all sites was accompanied by lower than average test weights. Heading date among cultivars was fairly uniform with all entries heading within the same week.
Oat Variety Evaluation in Re-Crop Trials at Moccasin (2000)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2000) Berg, Jim E.; Blake, Tom; Bruckner, Phil L.; Hensleigh, Pat F.; Lanning, Susan P.; Philips, Dave; Sharp, Gail L.; Talbert, Luther E.; Vavrovsky, Joe; Wargo, Judee; Wichman, David M.
This report evaluates the agronomic performance of oat varieties under no-till recrop conditions at Moccasin. The 2000 no-till recrop oat trial was seeded into barley stubble. Soil moisture was fair to good for seeding in the spring. The surface soil was almost mud due to the shade and shelter provided by the standing stubble and chaff. The no-till recrop yields were slightly reduced due to the low precipitation levels during the 2000 crop year. The combination of good vegetation control and the water conservation provided with no-till provided for good yields in a dry year.
Winter Wheat Variety Evaluation in Off-Station and Re-Crop Trials Near Moccasin, Denton, Fort Benton, Moore, and Winifred (2000)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2000) Berg, Jim E.; Bruckner, Phil L.; Philips, Dave; Sharp, Gail L.; Vavrovsky, Joe; Wargo, Judee; Wichman, David M.
This report evaluates the performance of winter wheat varieties in environments and cropping methods. Dry conditions resulted in lower than average yields at all sites with the exception of Moccasin where re-crop wheat followed barley. Growing season precipitation of 3.9 inches at the Fort Benton site contributed to low yields ranging from 8.8 to 12.6 bu/a. Yields were highest at the Moccasin site ranging from 35.8 to 46.2 bu/a. No yields were recorded at the Denton site due to a plugged opener during seeding that resulted in non-uniform plots. Grain protein was lowest at the Denton site and highest at the Fort Benton site. Although moisture for the 2000 crop season was generally higher than that received the previous year, timing of rainfall contributed to a lower than average yield at most sites. Yields at the Moccasin site met the seven-year average for cultivars grown at that site. Yields at all other sites were well below their ten-year averages as noted in multi-year yield summaries for each site. seeded into spring wheat stubble. The Moccasin trial was seeded into barley stubble. All cultivars had acceptable test weights averaging 61.2 lbs/bu across all sites and all cultivars. Test
Spring Barley Variety Evaluation in Off-Station and Re-Crop Trials Near Moccasin, Denton, and Fort Benton (2000)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2000) Blake, Tom; Hensleigh, Pat F.; Philips, Dave; Sharp, Gail L.; Vavrovsky, Joe; Wargo, Judee; Wichman, David M.
This report evaluates the performance of spring barley varieties in environments and cropping methods representative of the southern triangle and central Montana. Yields ranged from 47 to 60 bu/a at the Moccasin and Denton sites. Yield – Yields ranged from 47 to 60 bu/a at the Moccasin and Denton sites. Yields at Fort Benton were well below average due to low rainfall and ranged from 13 to 37 bu/a. The trial at Denton was planted re-crop after lentils and the trial at Fort Benton followed barley. Barley yields ranged from average to well below average depending on the location and the amount of rainfall received. Post harvest seed dormancy evaluations were conducted on barley seed harvested from the trials as a means of predicting weed potential from volunteer barley in cropping systems. Cultivars having the longest germination times are hypothesized to be problematic as this seed would remain dormant through the winter and germinate in early spring to present a weed problem. Quick germination of a cultivar would be beneficial in that volunteer seed would germinate early in the fall and be killed by the first frost. three days. Dormancy tests for the crop year 2001 will be conducted closer to actual harvest dates to better assess differences in dormancy among cultivars.
Evaluation of Fall Seeded Winter Pea and Lentil Line Performance (2001)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2001) Wichman, David M.; Neill, Karnes E.
This report evaluates winter hardiness of fall seeded Austrian winter pea, dry pea, and lentil lines. Compared to the winter pea lines, the Austrian winter pea lines tended to have higher winter survivals (not analyzed, Table 35A). Among the winter pea lines, no significant difference in winter survival was observed (Table 35B). Compared with Melrose, line PS9530645 was significantly less winter hardy (based on LSD0.05). Among the winter lentil lines, line WA869041 appeared to have the best winter survival, but was not significantly better than two other lines (Table 35C). Winter lentil line LC9440070 appeared to have the lowest winter survival.
Evaluation of Spring Barley Variety Performance in Trials Near Moccasin, Denton, and Fort Benton (2001)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2001) Blake, Tom; Hensleigh, Pat F.; Philips, Dave; Sharp, Gail L.; Vavrovsky, Joe; Wargo, Judee; Wichman, David M.
To evaluate the performance of spring barley varieties in environments and cropping methods representative of the southern triangle and central Montana. Yields ranged from 47.3 to 59.7 bu/a at Moccasin and from 16.1 to 21.9 bu/a at Fort Benton. Yields at Fort Benton were well below average due to low rainfall. Dry spring conditions contributed to uneven germination at the Denton site and the nursery was abandoned. The yield of Xena was high at both locations harvested although differences in yield between varieties were not significant at either site. Stressful growing conditions contributed to the increased variability. The trial at Moccasin was planted re-crop after canola and the trial at Fort Benton followed winter wheat. Barley yields ranged from average to well below average depending on the location and the amount of rainfall received. Post harvest seed dormancy evaluations were conducted on barley seed harvested from the trials as a means of predicting weed potential from volunteer barley in cropping systems. Cultivars having the longest germination times are hypothesized to be problematic as this seed would remain dormant through the winter and germinate in early spring to present a weed problem. In September, seed from seven varieties and three locations was placed on wet blotter paper and incubated at 50° F. At three, four, five, and seven days, the percentage of germinated seed was recorded. Differences in germination between the three sites were generally insignificant.
Seeding Configuration, Species Competition and Nitrogen Rate Effects on Dry Field Pea and Hay-Barley Forage Production (2001)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2001) Westcott, M.; Neill, Karnes E.; Wichman, David M.
This report evaluates the effects of seeding configuration, competition between barley and pea and nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate on hay-barley and dry pea forage yield potential under dryland conditions in Central Montana. Dry matter forage production over the four seeding configurations averaged 2,376 pounds of dry matter production per acre (Table 31). The pure barley configuration under 120 pounds N per acre had the most dry matter forage production, with 3,437 pounds per acre (1.7 tons/acre), but was equal to (5% level) pea – barley mixed and pure barley plots, under 60 pounds of N per acre. The pure barley plot under 120 lbs N, also had the greatest protein yield (455 lbs) and canopy height (25”). When plots were compared to Pea-Barley mixed plots over all three N-fertilizer rates, the pure pea plots were the only treatment affect that was significantly different than the pea-barley mixed plot in forage production and protein content (Table 32). There appeared to be no significant differences when Nitrogen fertilizer rates were varied. A more thorough analysis will be written at a later date.
Advanced Yield and Preliminary Spring Wheat Variety Performance Trials (2001)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2001) Lanning, Susan P.; Sharp, Gail L.; Talbert, Luther E.; Vavrovsky, Joe; Wichman, David M.
This report evaluates agronomic performance of new experimental lines and existing hard red spring wheat varieties in Central Montana. The Advanced Yields ranged from 34.3 to 47.5 bu/a and averaged 40.5 bu/a. Due to low precipitation, grain yields were lower than average. Test weights averaged below normal at 58 lbs/bu and proteins averaged 17.3 percent. Preliminary Yields ranged from 29.8 to 44.6 bu/a with the average yield being 35.7 bu/a. Test weights averaged 57.4 lbs/bu and grain protein averaged 18.3 percent. Broken stems were noticed in the nurseries this year and were attributed to strawbreaker, a disease of wheat caused by the fungus Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides. Stem breakage in the Advanced Yield grain nursery was not significant and averaged less than 0.1 percent of the total plot. Stem breakage in the Preliminary Yield grain nursery ranged from 0 to 2 percent except for one experimental line where breakage was recorded at 14 percent of the total plot. High protein levels accompanied lower than average test weights in both nurseries indicative of the low level of moisture received this year.
Intrastate and Early Yield Barley Variety Performance Trials (2001)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2001) Blake, Tom; Hensleigh, Pat F.; Sharp, Gail L.; Vavrovsky, Joe; Wichman, David M.
This report evaluates the agronomic performance of new experimental lines and existing barley varieties in Central Montana. Yields in the Intrastate Trial ranged from 48.2 to 82.3 bu/a with the average yield equal to 69.8 bu/a. Grain yields in the Early Yield Trial ranged from 47.6 to 79.8 bu/a with the average yield being 68.5 bu/a. Blowing sand cut leaves off of the emerging barley seedlings but May and June precipitation promoted vigorous growth. Good grain yields and high grain proteins were obtained but test weights and percentage of plump kernels were low.
Winter Wheat Seed Fungicide Treat Evaluation Trial (2001)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2001) Riesselman, John (Jack); Sharp, Gail L.; Vavrovsky, Joe; Wichman, David M.
This report evaluates the agronomic performance of fungicides used as seed treats to protect winter wheat seedlings. The late September planting date reduced the chance of significant disease infection, cephalosporium stripe or dry land root rot, occurring on fall seeded cereals. Receiving the treated seed late in the planting season has hampered the assessment of the seed treatments effectiveness. The early May seeding date reduced the chance of significant cold seed decay occurring. Receiving the treated seed late in the planting season has hampered the assessment of the seed treatments effectiveness. The trial failed to meet its objective.
Museum Spring Wheat Variety Comparison Nursery (2001)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2001) Lanning, Susan P.; Sharp, Gail L.; Talbert, Luther E.; Wichman, David M.
This report demonstrates a comparison in variety development effect on spring wheat yield levels. In general more recently released varieties had higher yields. No variety use decision should be made on this data as it is un-replicated and a single year performance.
Evaluation of Winter Wheat Variety Performance in Off-Station Trials Near Moccasin, Denton, Fort Benton, Moore, and Winifred (2001)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2001) Berg, Jim E.; Bruckner, Phil L.; Philips, Dave; Sharp, Gail L.; Vavrovsky, Joe; Wargo, Judee; Wichman, David M.
This report evaluates the performance of winter wheat varieties in environments and cropping methods representative of the southern triangle and central Montana. Moisture severely limited the plant growth and development of winter grains at the Fort Benton site. Low test weights from grain grown at the Fort Benton site were accompanied by high protein values. Grain shatter from hail damage at Denton reduced the yields collected from that site. Promontory, Erhardt, Rampart, and Norstar were among those most susceptible to grain shatter. Most resistant to shatter were Judith and Morgan. Sawfly damage was very evident in Fort Benton this year. Stems had been girdled at the soil level. Most susceptible to sawfly cutting were Elkhorn, Neeley, Judith, and Rampart. While all plots sustained some cutting, the cultivar with the least amount of sawfly damage was NuPlains. Since stem counts were conducted on only the first rep, results may be inconclusive.
Statewide Evaluation of Chickpea (Garbonzo Bean) Variety Performance (Montana Uniform Chickpea Performance Trial)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2001) Wichman, David M.; Neill, Karnes E.; Eckhoff, Joyce L.; Holmes, Jeffrey A.; Jackson, G.; Kephart, Ken D.; Lamb, Peggy F.; Miller, James B.; Miller, Perry R.; Muehlbauer, F.J.; Short, R.W.
This report evaluates grain yield potential of chickpea varieties under dryland conditions across Montana. Drought-like conditions persisted into the 2001 cropping year across much of Montana. Below normal growing season precipitation was recorded at all sites, with Sidney being the exception. The above normal precipitation that fell during June, followed by warm humid conditions, at the Sidney site accelerated an outbreak of Ascochyta blight causing severe damage to the chickpea trial. Low grain yields were reported at the Conrad site which received only 2.28 inches of precipitation between seeding date and end of July. By summarizing four years (1998-2001) of performance trials, statewide, Dwelley (kabuli-type) chickpea was out yielded by all other varieties of chickpeas evaluated, except for the one-year trial at Bozeman (Table 23).
Evaluation of Spring Durum Variety Performance in Trials Near Moccasin, Denton, Fort Benton, and Winifred (2001)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2001) Lanning, Susan P.; Philips, Dave; Sharp, Gail L.; Talbert, Luther E.; Vavrovsky, Joe; Wargo, Judee; Wichman, David M.
This report evaluates the performance of spring durum varieties in environments and cropping methods representative of the southern triangle and central Montana. Grain yields ranged from 24.8 to 35.8 bu/a at the two Moccasin sites with McNeal being the top yielding variety. Yields at off-station nurseries were considerably lower. YU894-75, a variety from Western Plant Breeders, was the second highest yielding variety. McNeal was grown as a hard red spring wheat check and again out-yielded durum varieties. Mountrail was higher in yield than McNeal at the Denton and Winifred sites but McNeal topped the list when averaged across all locations and in long-term averages for any one location.
2001 Canola Variety and Hybrid Performance Evaluations
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2001) Wichman, David M.; Sharp, Gail L.
This report evaluates the relative yield performance of spring canola varieties adapted to the northern plains and intermountain regions. Emergence was slow and very erratic due to dry weather conditions that persisted till early June at both locations. The Moore site was very slow to emerge with much of the emergence occurring in early June. Tyler seeded with a hoe drill and more uniform and much earlier emergence. The delayed emergence contributed to low yield levels at both locations. Extremely high levels of evaporative demand in July were also detrimental to the canola trial yields (See Tables sc35 and sc36). The Moccasin trials were further impacted by ground sparrows and Cashin finch feeding on the seed pods prior and during ripening. Intermountain 223 RR and 357 RR lines were top performers in both trials. These lines have been good performers other years as well. Late seeding and unusually dry weather with high evaporative demand resulted below average canola yields. The variation within the study due to factors other than the characteristics of the varieties themselves reduced the value of both variety evaluation nurseries.
Evaluation of Spring Wheat Variety Performance in Trials Near Moccasin, Denton, Fort Benton, and Winifred (2001)
(Central Agricultural Research Center, 2001) Lanning, Susan P.; Philips, Dave; Sharp, Gail L.; Talbert, Luther E.; Vavrovsky, Joe; Wargo, Judee; Wichman, David M.
This report evaluates the performance of spring wheat varieties in environments and cropping methods representative of the southern triangle and central Montana. Yields ranged from 6.1 to 36.5 bu/a with the highest yields at the Moccasin sites. Low moisture at the Fort Benton site contributed to lower than average yields. Reeder was one of the top yielding varieties averaging 28.6 bu/a across the five locations, however differences in yield among the varieties were significant only in the Winifred and Moccasin recrop nurseries. Low precipitation levels resulted in lower than average yields at all locations tested. This was most evident at the Fort Benton site where yields were approximately one third that of the long term averages. Yields at the Winifred site were also significantly less than long term averages for that area.