Agricultural Research Programs
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana

Cooperative project with the
Agricultural Research Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Location of trials
Methods used in the trials
Seed size, and plant populations

(Copyright 1998 Purdue Research Foundation)

Authors

K. M. Day, Senior Research Agronomist

W. P. Lorton, Technician

Department of Agronomy

G. C. Buechley, Cell Biologist Research Associate

Dr. G. E. Shaner, Professor
Department of Botany and Plant Pathology

(The authors wish to acknowledge Web Authoring performed by

Jim Wills and Cindy Boone, Department of Agronomy.)

______________________________________________________________________

It is the policy of Indiana Agricultural Research Programs at Purdue University that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to its programs and facilities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age or handicap.

______________________________________________________________________

Small grains are evaluated annually at several locations in Indiana. These trials are conducted according to the policies and procedures of Indiana Agricultural Research Programs at Purdue University. In this bulletin, results of the 1998 small grain performance trials are presented for those entries which are believed to be available to producers for seeding purposes. Data for experimental entries are not included.

Due to the abnormal 1995-1996 growing season, the years 1995, 1997 and 1998 are used for multiple year averages for the wheat trials, except for Daviess Co., location 4, southwestern Indiana. For Daviess Co., a two year average, of the 1995 and 1997 tests, is reproduced, and the 1998 test results are not included in the multiple year averages. The years 1996, 1997 and 1998 are used for the multiple year spring oats data.

This information is presented under authority granted Indiana Agricultural Research Programs to conduct performance trials, including interpretation of data to the public, and does not imply endorsement or recommendation by Purdue University. Also, any small grain not included in this bulletin does not imply criticism by Purdue University. This bulletin is protected by copyright by the Purdue Research Foundation.

Permission is granted to reproduce the tables only in their entirety provided that this bulletin, "Performance of Public and Private Small Grains in Indiana", is referenced and the data are not rearranged, manipulated or reinterpreted. The table number, title, heading and footnotes 1 and 2 must be included. Permission is also granted to reproduce a multiple-year sub-table, provided that the complete table heading and footnotes 1 and 2 are included with the sub-table. A conspicuous disclaimer which states "endorsement or recommendation by Purdue University is not implied" must accompany any information reproduced from this bulletin.

This bulletin may be accessed on the World Wide Web at the following URL address:

Additional bulletin copies are available from:

Agricultural Communication Service
Media Distribution Center
301 South 2nd Street
Lafayette IN 47905
Telephone: 765-494-6795
FAX: 765-496-1540

Performance results for both private and public entries are presented. Certified seed was used for seeding most of the public varieties. Private entries, entered voluntarily by the owner, were accepted in the trial after meeting requirements for eligibility and payment of a testing fee. No verification has been made that the seed or the quality of the seed entered in this test is the same as that offered for sale to the public.

Plans and rules for entering this trial are available, upon request, to anyone at any time. Persons wishing to enter the small grain performance trial should contact the author by August 1 for fall-seeded small grains and by February 1 for spring-seeded small grains.

Mr. K. M. Day
Vartest Building
Purdue Agronomy Research Center
4540 US 52 West
West Lafayette IN 47906

Telephone: 765-583-1406
(no FAX number available)

This section contains information on locations and procedures used in conducting the trials.

In 1998, trials were conducted at four locations for winter wheat and two locations for spring oats (see Figure 1). The locations, numbered from north to south, are:

Location 1. Porter County at the Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center near Wanatah, on Runnymede loam, a dark gray depressional soil underlaid by sandy substrata.

Location 2. Tippecanoe County at the Purdue University Agronomy Research Center near Lafayette, on Chalmers silty clay loam, a very dark gray or black, poorly drained depressional soil.

Location 3. Randolph County at the Davis-Purdue Agricultural Center near Farmland, on Blount silty clay loam, a dark grayish-brown, somewhat poorly drained soil.

Location 4. Daviess County at the Ernest Dyer farm near Plainville, on Elston loam, a very dark-brown, deep, well drained soil.

Seedbeds were prepared using conventional farm equipment. A randomized complete block design was used in all trials. The wheat plots were planted in drill strips 35 feet long and 75 inches wide, and the oat plot drill strips were 75 feet long and 70 inches wide. All plots were end trimmed at harvest to approximately 20 feet in length, and all rows were harvested. Plot width from plot center to plot center was used for calculating yield.

The plots were harvested with an Almaco plot combine, and were weighed and moisture tested automatically, on the combine, using a Seed Spector II and a Psion HC 110. The plot weight and moisture equipment were calibrated using a Motomco moisture meter and Chantillon scales, and the calibrations were checked throughout the harvest season. It should be pointed out that this equipment is not the same as equipment used to meet official sampling standards, but is believed to be suitable for field plot work.

After harvest, test weights were performed in the Vartest building, using standard test weight equipment. All yields were adjusted to 14 percent moisture and are reported as bushels per acre.

Lodging is expressed in percent from 0 to 100. Plots with a score of 0 to 25 percent are generally harvestable with conventional equipment, from either direction and at optimum speed. Plots with a lodging score of 25 to 50 percent are harvestable, but may require reduced speed. As lodging percentages exceed 50 percent, harvesting problems escalate quickly and beyond 75 percent some grain may be lost or damaged by contact with the soil.

Plant height, taken at harvest, was from the center of the plot and was measured to the nearest inch from the soil surface to the top of the head.

Winter killing data, at all locations, were taken when the plants were beginning spring growth. The data are based on visual observation and not on actual stand count, and were influenced by differences in plant vigor and vegetative growth.

Date headed is the day when 80 to 90 percent of the heads have ruptured the boot.

Fertilization programs are described in the footnotes of each table. Starter fertilizer was applied, at planting, at all locations and supplemental nitrogen was applied to wheat in the spring.

Soil test results for each of the 1998 trials are presented in the footnotes. This year, the soil test values for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are expressed in parts per million (ppm) instead of pounds per acre (lbs/acre). To change ppm to lbs/acre, multiply ppm by 2. Conversely, to change lbs/acre to ppm, divide lbs/acre by 2.

Seeding rates for proprietary wheat entries were chosen by the owner, and ranged from 1.4 to 1.7 million live seeds per acre. Public wheat varieties were seeded at 1.5 million live seeds per acre, and the oat tests were seeded at 1.53 million live seeds per acre.

Seed size will vary among seed lots for any entry. In extreme cases, the smallest size seed may contain nearly double the number of seeds per bushel in comparison with the largest size seed.

A final stand of 1 to 1.3 million plants per acre, or 30 plants per square foot, is the optimum population for soft red winter wheat production in Indiana. Yields generally plateau at this population, with any additional yield increases due to favorable weather combined with best management practices.

Approximately 90 percent of the live seed sown should emerge, if high quality seed is sown in a firm, moist seedbed. A seeding rate of 1.5 million live seeds per acre should produce a final stand of 1.35 million plants per acre, which is 30 plants per square foot.

The number of seeds per pound may be determined by counting out 100 seeds and weighing them on a gram scale (most grain elevators have one). Divide the weight of the 100-seed sample into 454 (the number of grams in a pound), and multiply by 100 (the number of seeds counted). Example: 100 seeds weigh 3.2 grams; 454 divided by 3.2 times 100 = 14,188 seeds per pound. Then adjust for germination to determine the final seeding rate. If the seed germinates 95 percent, there will be 13,478 live seeds per pound (14,188 times 0.95). Dividing 1,500,000 by 13,478 gives 111 pounds of seed per acre, or the amount needed to establish a stand of 30 plants per square foot.

This information is useful in deciding the population you want to achieve in the original stand, and for decisions you may need to make regarding an inadequate stand. Ask your seed dealer to furnish the seed count, in number of seeds per pound, and the recommended seeding rate for the seed lot you are planting. Then calculate the pounds per acre needed to provide an optimum population in the original stand.

The same principle applies to oats. However, the original stand is more important in oats, because during some seasons there may be little or no tillering, particularly if seeding is delayed, or moisture is deficient. The recommended oat population is 35 plants per square foot or 1.52 million plants per acre.

A plump-seeded oat variety (3 grams per 100 seeds) would require about 112 pounds of live seeds per acre. Use the same procedure for calculating oat seeding rates and stands as for wheat, but remember that oat populations need to be greater than wheat populations.

Stand reductions, in winter wheat, may occur if winter conditions are severe The wheat plant, if properly hardened through a gradual hardening process, should be able to tolerate temperatures as low as –5° F without injury. At temperatures of –5° F to –10° F injury could occur if unfavorable conditions such as dry soil, low phosphorus, late planted and/or small plants, or other plant stresses are present. If temperatures reach -10° F or lower, and remain at that temperature for two hours or longer, injury is likely. The extent of the injury will depend on the condition of the plant, how low the temperature goes, and how long it remains at that level.

Snow cover of 1 to 2 inches on wheat offers excellent protection against sub-zero temperatures. If cold weather is forecast, keep a record of the amount of snow cover, the extreme low temperature and the duration of the low temperature. This will be useful information in predicting the possibility of damage to the wheat crop.

When making stand counts on small grains, divide 144 (the number of square inches in a square foot) by the drill row spacing in inches to get the number of linear inches of drill row needed to equal 1 square foot. Example: 144 divided by 7 inches (drill row spacing) = 20.5 inches of linear drill row needed to equal 1 square foot. Make numerous random spot checks throughout the field by counting the number of plants or seeds in 20.5 inches of row length, and average several observations to estimate the population.

For purposes of making yield estimates, each wheat plant should produce one culm (main stem) and one or more tillers. The culm normally produces a head, but under stress the tillers may not produce heads. Less-than-ideal conditions reduce grain production in the tiller first and then in the culm.

One head of wheat usually produces one gram of seed (or grain), which is normally 30 to 32 grains of wheat. One head of wheat per square foot is equal to 1.6 bushels per acre. At 30 heads per square foot (one head per plant), the estimated yield potential is 48 bushels per acre.

At 30 plants per square foot, under ideal growing conditions, each plant may produce two heads (one culm and one tiller), which would have a yield potential of 96 bushels per acre.

A population of 15 plants per square foot may produce acceptable yields (15 to 20 percent yield loss); but 10 plants per square foot may reduce yields by 50 percent or more, and weed problems are likely.

Grain yields from the test plots are reported as bushels per acre adjusted to 14 percent moisture content. An analysis of variance and a test of significance were computed on all performance categories where sufficient data were available. The analysis of variance for yield, in bushels per acre, was significant at the 10 percent probability level in all of the 1998 single-year yield data presented.

The Waller-Duncan Bayesian k-ratio t test is used in determining significant differences for the Indiana small grain performance trials. The Bayesian procedure has a direct dependence upon the calculated F-value for entries. As the F-value increases, the Bayesian least significant difference (BLSD) decreases. In computing the BLSD for the test of significance, a k ratio of 100:1 was used. This ratio may be considered in a loose sense to take the place of the 5 percent level of significance. The BLSD value may be used to make all possible pair-wise comparisons, i.e., any two values in the same column of a sub-table may be compared.

Multiple-year results, especially those having the greatest number of years, are generally best for predicting performance. this is because no interaction of entries by years can be computed for one-year data. This interaction (entry by year) is usually larger than the experimental error in one-year analyses.

The coefficient of variability (C.V.) is an indication of the precision of the test. The coefficient of variability is a relative term. It is the ratio of the standard deviation to the grand mean of the test, expressed as a percent. On the western side of Indiana a small grain test with good precision will have a C.V. for yield of 5 percent or less; and on the eastern side of the state, the C.V. will be 10 percent or less. Whenever the C.V. is larger than normal for a test location it indicates that the precision of the test was below normal. When yields are high and the experimental error in the test is small, the C.V. will be small.

Across the years, several tests have been performed to determine whether there are specific areas of adaptation for small grain varieties. Is there a variety that is superior on sand, or clay, or adapted to a particular part of the state? To date, there is no evidence to support such a claim. In long-term averages, those entries that are either top or bottom yielders are generally the same at each test location. For normal production situations, these small grain performance data have broad application in Indiana.

At Location 1, the 1998 wheat test results are comparable to the results of previous normal test years. The last half of August and the month of September in 1997 were generally dry. The wheat plots were planted on September 30, 1997 in a firm seed bed. Emergence was uniform and stands were vigorous. The first significant moisture did not occur until mid-November and by that time, low temperatures were in the teens and single digits. Winter was warmer than normal, and the only below zero temperature occurred on March 16, 1998. Temperatures warmed rapidly and reached 79° F by the end of the month. Wheat broke dormacy and grew rapidly. April precipitation was 4.81 inches, May 2.42, June 4.89 and July 4.l6. Most of the July rain fell before the wheat harvest. Yields were lower, test weights better, lodging greater, plant height similar, and heading dates nearly 2 weeks earlier, than normal. The 1998 wheat test results should be useful in evaluating performance.

The spring oats test at location 1 produced lower than normal yields and test weights. There was virtually no lodging, compared to the severe lodging in previous years. Plant heights were shorter than normal, and heading dates were about a week earlier than normal. The 1998 spring oat test results should be useful in evaluating performance.

At Location 2, the 1998 wheat test results are similar to the results of previous normal test years, except that heading was much earlier than normal. August and September 1997 were relatively dry, and the regular date of seeding test was planted in a firm seedbed on October 1, 1997. Emergence was uniform and stands were vigorous. The late seeded test was planted on October 21 and stands were uniform, but growth was relatively slow. Winter snow cover was minimal. In January 1998 and again in March, low temperatures were in the single digits, but no below zero temperatures were recorded during the winter. By the end of March temperatures reached 79° F and wheat was beginning to grow. March precipitation totaled 5.62 inches, April 4.12, May 5.93, June 8.41, July 5.26 with about 3 inches falling when the wheat was ripe and ready to harvest. Harvest of the regular-seeded wheat test was delayed about a week to 10 days due to wet weather.

In the regular-seeded wheat test, yields were near normal, test weights near normal, increased lodging was due to delayed harvest, plant heights near normal, no winter killing, and heading nearly 2 weeks earlier than normal. The regular seeded wheat test results may be useful for performance comparisons, provided the impact of an unusual season is kept in mind.

The late seeded wheat test produced lower than normal yields and test weights. Lodging was greater, plant heights shorter and heading dates were 2 weeks earlier than normal. There was no winter killing. Harvest was delayed by wet weather and the delay probably increased lodging. The data are useful for performance comparisons, keeping in mind the unusual season.

The 1998 spring oats test yields and test weights were sharply lower than the 1997 results. Lodging was much less, plant height shorter than normal, and heading dates nearly 2 weeks earlier than normal. Although over all performance of the 1998 spring oats performance test is below normal, the results may be useful for making performance comparisons.

At Location 3, during August and September of 1997, moisture was favorable, and the test was seeded in a firm seed bed. The test was seeded October 2, 1997 and the remainder of the month was dry. Uniform vigorous stands were obtained and limited precipitation in November benefited the plants. November, December and January were unusually mild. The coldest weather arrived at the end of the second week in March. No below zero temperatures were recorded during the winter, and there was no winter killing. By the end of March the temperature reached 80° F and wheat was beginning to grow rapidly. March precipitation totaled 4.61 inches, April 5.24, May 2.62, June 6.48, and July 6.34. The first 2 weeks of July received about 2.8 inches of rain, which delayed harvesting and contributed to increased lodging.

The 1998 test was primarily damaged by water, which contributed to the sharply lower yields as well as affecting the precision of the test. While yields were much lower than in 1997 (when all-time-high yields were produced), test weights were normal, lodging greater than normal, plant heights near normal and heading dates 2 weeks earlier than normal. Due to the abnormal year, the test results may be of limited use for performance comparisons.

At Location 4, the weather station at Vincennes (about 15 miles from the test area) recorded 3.3 inches of precipitation for August 1997, and 2.45 inches for September. The plots were planted October 15, 1997 and uniform, vigorous stands were obtained. Rains, the first half of November benefited the plots, and 2.43 inches of precipitation were recorded for the month. December was mild with 2.29 inches of precipitation, January 1.97, February 2.46 and March 2.72. There was virtually no snow cover during the winter. The coldest temperatures arrived at the end of the second week of March, with 2 daily lows of 8° F and 9° F. By the end of March, temperatures warmed to 81° F and wheat was growing rapidly. Wet weather began in April with 9.68 inches of precipitation and persisted through the rest of the growing season. May precipitation totaled 6.5l inches, June 5.79, and July 7.0. The heaviest July rains (3.85 inches) came at the end of the first week. This virtually ruined the wheat test. When the plots were harvested July 10^th it was necessary to drive through standing water to trim out the plots. One of the 4 replications was abandoned due to the water and extreme weed pressure. Three of the 4 replications were harvested and dried before test weights were performed.

Compared to previous years, yields were lower and test weights sharply lower; severe lodging was due to the heavy rains; plant height was near normal; there was no winter killing, and heading dates were about 10 days earlier than normal. The test was about 2 weeks post ripe when harvested. The plot area received an arial fungicide application, but disease developed and data on the diseases are discussed in the "Disease Summary" section and reported in Table A.

The 1998 performance test results are an indication of the extremely difficult year in southern Indiana. For performance evaluation, previous years data and the data from other test locations are better indicators of performance.

Information presented here is based on the weekly Indiana Crop and Weather Reports, published by the Indiana Agricultural Statistician.

In 1997 top soil moisture conditions for the state were rated 30 percent short to very short, and 70 percent adequate to surplus. Sub-soil moisture ratings were similar to the top soil ratings. Wheat seeding was underway with 3 percent of the intended acreage planted. By the first week of October, 20 percent of the crop was in the ground, and 5 percent had emerged. Top soil and sub-soil moisture had declined to about 50 percent adequate and 50 percent short. Wheat seeding proceeded during October at a more rapid than normal pace, and by the first of November, 96 percent of the crop was planted and 78 percent had emerged. By the beginning of the second week of November, the wheat crop was 98 percent planted and 86 percent had emerged. Top soil moisture had improved to 25 percent short to very short and 75 percent adequate to surplus. The final crop report, issued for the week ending November 23, 1997 reported 97 percent of the wheat had emerged. The condition of the wheat was rated 12 percent excellent, 56 percent good, 27 percent fair, and 5 percent poor.

The first crop and weather report for the 1998 growing season (week ending April 5) reported 25 percent of the wheat had jointed compared to 2 percent for normal. This indicates the wheat broke dormacy very early and developed rapidly in early spring. The crop was rated 17 percent excellent, 63 percent good, 18 percent fair, and 2 percent poor. No long term damage from winter weather (cold temperature in March) was reported and the crop was developing 1 to 2 weeks ahead of normal. Soil moisture was rated adequate to surplus.

By April 25, 86 percent of the wheat was jointed compared to 39 percent for the five year average, and 5 percent was headed, compared to none in previous years. Virtually all soil moisture was rated adequate to surplus. By mid-May, 67 percent of the wheat was headed compared to 25 percent for the five year average. The crop was rated 26 percent excellent, 56 percent good, 16 percent fair, 1 percent poor and 1 percent very poor. By the end of May, 99 percent of the crop was headed, well ahead of the 68 percent average. Soil moisture ratings were over 80 percent adequate to surplus, and less than 20 percent short to very short.

By the first week in June, the wheat condition began to decline due to wet weather, lodging and disease pressure, especially in southwestern Indiana. The June 14 report announced wheat harvest underway with 2 percent of the crop harvested. By the end of June the condition of the crop had declined to 12 percent excellent, 43 percent good, 29 percent fair, 13 percent poor and 3 percent very poor. Harvest was 26 percent complete, compared to 11 percent for average. Half the crop was harvested in southern Indiana, and 13 percent in other parts of the state.

On July 12, harvest was reported to be 92 percent complete, or about 2 weeks ahead of average. By July 19, the crop was 99 percent harvested

In summary, the 1998 Indiana winter wheat crop was planted on time, in soils that generally had adequate moisture to establish good stands. The winter was unusually mild due to the influence of the El Nino weather pattern. While snow cover was minimal over most of the state, the only serious cold temperature concerns were in March, and resulting damage appeared to be little, if any. The excellent prospects of early spring declined due to heavy rains in the south, and to some extent from dry weather in northern Indiana. Disease in southern Indiana had a serious impact on grain quality. Oats were not subject to the wet weather problems, but still did not produce impressive yields.

The Indiana Crop and Livestock Reporting Service, in a report issued July 20, 1998 estimated the 1998 Indiana winter wheat production as follows:

On May 19, entries were rated for wheat yellow mosaic (wheat soilborne mosaic may also have been a factor). Kernels were at the watery to early milk stage of growth. Normally this disease appears early in the spring, and by the time wheat has headed, symptoms have faded. Cool weather later in the growing season than normal caused symptoms to appear on upper leaves. Disease reaction was rated as the percentage of flag leaf area showing mosaic symptoms. The mean severity for the entire trial was 33.5%. Means for cultivars ranged from 8 to 68%. There were highly significant differences in severity among lines. Among the most resistant lines were Clark, Patterson, DB 555W, 2540, and 25R26.

At this same time, leaf blotch was rated on a scale of 0-9.5, in which higher numbers reflect presence of symptoms higher in the canopy and more total leaf area affected. Leaf blotch appeared to be caused mainly by Septoria tritici. The trial had been sprayed with Tilt fungicide, and symptoms had not yet progressed to the flag leaf. The trial mean severity was 5.9, with entry means ranging from 4.5 to 6.9. Although severity was low, there were highly significant differences among entries. Among the most resistant entries were NK Coker 9663, 2540, 25R26, and Countrymark 569W.

The second set of disease ratings was made on June 6 when grain was in the dough stage of development. Leaf blotch had become more severe, and scab was severe in some entries. Leaf blotch was again rated on the 0-9.5 scale. Scab was rated as the percentage of heads in a plot that showed symptoms, and the average severity of blighting on affected heads (the percentage of spikelets blighted). Lodging ranged from 7 to 90%, with a mean for the trial of 49%. Leaf blotch mean ratings for entries ranged from 7 to 8.5 with an overall average of 7.5. Although blighting was severe, it would probably have been greater had Tilt not been applied. Entries differed significantly in severity of leaf blotch.

Among the most resistant were Mason, Terra-SR205, Foster, Cardinal, and 2571. Incidence of scab averaged 25%, with a range of entry means of 3 to 79%. Lines with greater incidence tended to have a higher severity as well (R=0.683). There was a tendency for scab incidence to decline with later heading date (R=-0.554), but except for the four latest-heading lines (May 9 or later), there was a considerable range in scab incidence among wheat entries of the same maturity. For example, among varieties heading on May 2 or 3, incidence ranged from 4 to 79%. Six entries had less than 10% incidence of scab. These included Cardinal, Countrymark 529W, Countrymark 569W, Clark, and DB XV556W, and Freedom. Cardinal and Countrymark 529W were the two latest-maturing lines in the test. Because there were no susceptible lines of comparably late maturity, we cannot be sure whether these two entries have true resistance or escaped the disease because weather was not favorable for infection when they flowered. It is surprising to find Clark among the more resistant wheats because it has been highly susceptible in previous tests. It seems unlikely that it escaped infection, because some entries that headed a half day earlier or later than Clark had a high incidence of scab.

After harvest, a sample of grain from each plot was surface-sterilized to kill external fungal contaminants, and then plated on a growth medium selective for the scab fungus. The percent of infected seed was determined 4 days later, by counting grains from which the scab fungus was growing. Entries that tended to have a greater incidence of head blight in the field had a higher frequency of infected grain, but the association was not close. Entries that had very little visible head blight, for example less than 10%, often had high frequencies of infection. There was very little visibly scabbed grain in any of the samples, despite the high frequency of infection.

Information concerning certified seed may be obtained from the Indiana Crop Improvement Association, which certifies seed from both public and private sources. Publicly developed varieties, presented in this bulletin, are listed under the Indiana Crop Improvement Association address. In both the wheat and oat trials, older public varieties are included as check varieties. Arthur is a wheat variety which is no longer available but is included as a long-time check.

Private companies have requested that inquiries concerning proprietary entries, presented in this bulletin, be directed to the addresses listed below.

Lower case letters preceding the entry name are; v-variety, b-brand, m-mixture (blend), and h-hybrid. Other names associated with the entry name are brand or company names usually associated in the trade with the entry name.

Telephone: 740-893-2501

Telephone: 765-572-2001

Telephone: 317-984-3508

Telephone: 309-557-6399

Telephone: 219-984-5837

Telephone: 765-474-3494

Telephone: 765-945-7777

Telephone: 870-483-7691

Telephone: 614-893-2501

Telephone: 800-258-3579

Telephone: 419-337-1841

v Rupp RS 901
v Rupp RS 927

Telephone: 712-233-3609

Indiana's climate and soils are well suited for the production of high quality soft red winter wheat, and local industries provide a market for the crop. No one wheat has all of the most desirable characteristics, but each has certain advantages. Performance data are presented in Tables 1 to 6.

At higher fertility levels, resistance to powdery mildew and lodging become important factors. Winter hardiness, yielding ability, straw strength, plant height and grain quality are important points to consider when choosing which wheat to plant. Disease resistance to leaf rust, Septoria blotch, and powdery mildew, and insect resistance to Hessian fly are also very important factors in selection. A few entries are better suited to acid soils where aluminum toxicity is a problem.

Early seeding favors Septoria blotch, barley yellow dwarf virus, spindle streak, and the fungus root and foot rots, especially take-all and Fusarium. Seeding after the fly-free date is suggested to reduce severity of these diseases.

The organisms causing plant disease are continually evolving, and occasionally new strains, races or biotypes appear that can attack previously resistant wheat. Strains of the leaf rust fungus that have overcome the resistance of older wheats are now widespread in Indiana. Likewise, the powdery mildew fungus has overcome the resistance of older varieties. Leaf rust and powdery mildew can reduce yields of susceptible varieties by 20 percent or more. Strains of the loose smut fungus that can infect older wheat varieties are also present in the state. The best time to detect this disease is just after the wheat heads. Certain fungicide seed treatments will control loose smut.

Proprietary wheat hybrids were first included in the 1982 performance trials. Some hybrids were produced using a chemical to sterilize pollen in the seed parent. Other hybrids were produced using the cytoplasmic male sterile and nuclear restorer system. Techniques of hybrid wheat production are often less than 100 percent effective. Therefore, the seed produced on the seed parent may not be 100 percent hybrid.

By Indiana law, seed labeled as hybrid must contain at least 75 percent hybrid seed, and if less than 95 percent hybrid, the hybrid percentage must be stated on the seed label.

Seed having less than 75 percent hybrid is considered a blend. Seed from hybrid wheat, like corn, should not be saved for seeding the following year.

Spring oats are the most heat tolerant of the spring-seeded small grains and are the only spring-seeded small grain adapted for Indiana. Adaptation to hot weather is usually important in choosing a spring oat. Late maturing varieties perform well, if planted early, in years with ample rainfall and relatively cool temperatures during June and July. Frequently in Indiana, temperatures are in the upper 80°'s and low to mid 90°'s F, and moisture becomes a limiting factor when oats are filling. This results in low test weights and reduced yields in late-maturing varieties. The farther south a variety is planted, the earlier maturing and more heat tolerant it must be. Yield, straw strength, grain quality and resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus and crown rust are also important in choosing an oat variety.

Oat performance data are presented in Tables 7, 8 and 9.