2005 Southwest Idaho Winter and Spring Small Grain Variety Performance
The 2005 season marked the 21th season of the Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Extension Winter and Spring Small Grain Performance Trials. The trials, supported by the Idaho Wheat Commission and Idaho Barley Commission, enable the testing of public and private varieties and advanced lines under the irrigated and dryland conditions of the Treasure Valley. The season was characterized by a mild early fall, bu a wet late fall that precluded the planting of a late planted winter nursery in Elmore Co. Winter was mild and very dry with many irrigation districts expereiencing reduced water allocations. Some acres were switched to small grains production and some acreage was abandoned for the season to provide water for other fields. As a result there was no offstation spring trial in southern Ada/Canyon County. Spring was relatively cool and wet with above normal precipitation beginning in late April and May. Mild temperatures during the rest of the season enabled longer than normal grain filling. Wheat Stripe Rust was a significant factor in the 2005 trials. Varieties that historically were among the leaders were relatively less productive in the late fall planted or spring trials.
Winter Trials
Three irrigated winter wheat trials were conducted during the 2005 season. Two of the trials were planted in October (Parma R &E Center on Oct 11 and Weiser on October 13) and one in November (Parma R& E Center November 15) to evaluate variety performance under both early and late planting conditions.
One dryland site was planted September 30 near Midvale. Yield at Parma was excellent for the early planting. Yield at Weiser was likely reduced due to moisture stress during stem extension as plant heights were considerably shorter than at Parma while wheat protein values were lower at Weiser indicating that available N was likely limiting production for the conditions present.Spring Trials
Two irrigated spring trials were planted at Parma on March 1 and Weiser on March 4. Plant heights were lower at Weiser than at Parma probably due to moisture stress during stem extension. Stripe rust affected several varieties at Parma but was less severe at Weiser.