Evaluation of Spring Wheat Cultivar Performance Under Continuous-Crop and Crop-Crop-Fallow Systems in Central Montana (2011)

Abstract

This report evaluates the relative performance spring wheat cultivars and development lines in central Montana crop environments. The 2011 growing season conditions were atypical beginning with above average precipitation in September and November. Winter precipitation was near average, while April through mid-June precipitation was much above average. Mid-June through August precipitation was below average. The Moccasin location was seeded in mid-April. The Denton and Geraldine locations were seeded in mid-May due to the wet spring weather. The combination of short lentil stubble and ability to access the site quickly made if feasible to seed the Moccasin much earlier than most spring seedings in the area. Stripe rust infestations were wide spread in winter wheat but were not a problem in much of the spring wheat due to the generally dry sunny conditions in mid-June through August. The 2011 results re-emphasize the importance of getting spring wheat seeded prior to mid-spring. Yields were severely reduced by the mid- May seeding date. Vida continues to be an outstanding yield standard in central Montana. However, it does have lower protein than most of the spring wheat entries.