Intrastate, Advanced Yield, and Preliminary Winter Wheat Variety Performance Trials (2002)

Abstract

This report evaluates agronomic performance of new experimental lines and existing winter wheat varieties in Central Montana. The statewide nurseries were seeded with a double disk drill into untilled 2000 barley stubble. Much of the stubble had deteriorated, but there was sufficient stubble to influence snow catch. The 50 pounds per acre of a 20-20-20-10 blend was placed with the seed at seeding. The intrastate and advanced yield trials were harvested prior to receiving significant rain. Therefore, the grain test weight should be generally better than the preliminary nurseries. The advanced yield nursery had deer trails through one of the ranges. The winter wheat yields were much above what would normally be anticipated for the levels of spring soil moisture and spring precipitation. Cooler than average temperatures in April and May contributed to lower evaporative demand and reduced soil drying.