Research Accomplishment Reports 2010

Performance of Small Grain Varieties in Kentucky

D. A. Van Sanford, W. P. Bruening
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

 

Non-Technical Summary

Small grain production is an important component of Kentucky's agricultural economy. In order to maximize the profitability of small grain production, annual evaluation of wheat and barley varieties is needed to help farmers select varieties with superior agronomic performance and pest resistance. Grain yield and test weight, as well as straw and forage yield are directly related to crop income, but varietal traits, such as plant height, lodging potential, maturity, and disease resistance are also important management-related components of profitability. This variety evaluation project determines the agronomic performance, general adaptability and pest resistance of small grain varieties grown in Kentucky.

2010 Project Description

Field days (May 18), grower meetings(Jan 12), research reports and websites (http://www.uky.edu/Ag/wheatvarietytest/) facilitated presentation of data to stakeholders.

2010 Impact

Outcomes of these activities included a change in knowledge on the part of stakeholders: they became aware of new wheat varieties available to them and their relative performance. Based on this knowledge they changed behavior by growing new wheat varieties.

2010 Publications

B. Bruening, C. Tutt, C.S. Swanson, J. Connelley, G. Olson, and D. Van Sanford. 2010. 2010 Kentucky Small Grain Variety Performance Tests. University of Kentucky Progress Report 604