NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Acreage of small grains in Minnesota is declining with corn and soybeans replacing it. Maintaining small grains in the cropping systems is vital to the agro-ecological and economic wellbeing of the State. The purpose of this project is to increase profitability of small grains by researching the effects of inputs, developing decision support systems to assist in timely application of those inputs, and researching alternative production systems for small grains.

OBJECTIVES: 1. improve variety descriptions and comparisons. 2. develop decision support systems. 3. research alternative production systems. 4. evaluate subsurface tile drainage.

APPROACH: 1. conduct regional yield trials, evaluate effect of fungicides on individual cultivars. 2. validate Weed Scout decision support system. 3. Evaluate winter wheat following soybeans. 4. measure effect of tile drainage on grain yield.

KEYWORDS: wheat; barley; production systems; small grains; crop production; crop management; decision making; weeds; weed control; irrigation; crop varieties; soybeans; sugar beets; description; subsurface drainage; tile drainage; systems development; performance evaluation; cropping systems; alternatives; cultivars; breeding lines; fungus diseases (plants); chemical control (diseases); chemical control (pests)

PROGRESS: 2006/01 TO 2006/12
1) Development of variety specific recommendations--The Red River On-Farm Yield Trails continue their dual purpose as extension program and performance testing of released cultivars and advanced lines. The results of the trials were published in Crop Management and the Minnesota Variety Trials Bulletin. The HRSW yield trials at the Research and Outreach Centers in Morris, Crookston, Roseau, and Lamberton are, based on our previous results, expanded to include a second set of yield trials that includes the use of a fungicide at Feekes 5, Feekes 9, and Feekes 10.51 as well as the use of an insecticide to control aphids when economic thresholds are reached. There results of these trials are now completely integrated in the data that is included in the Minnesota Variety Trials Results bulletin. In cooperation with Dr. Beverly R. Durgan, the screening of current and new releases of HRSW and spring barley for crop injury to the labeled post emergence grass herbicides in Crookston and Rosemount continued. Evaluation of the growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl for Syngenta reached a third and final year. The data package for EPA submission is complete and Syngenta has informed me that the submission will progress as planned this winter. 2) Development of decision support systems--I continued the cooperation with Drs. Frank Forcella, David Archer, Krishona Martinson, and Beverly R. Durgan to validate the WheatScout decision aid for integrated management of grass weeds in spring wheat. The purpose of the WheatScout software is to aid weed management decisions to control green foxtail and wild oat (Setaria viridis and Avena fatua) in hard red spring wheat. To further test the model's robustness, we expanded the validation project by monitoring the emergence of wild oats in producers' fields across the Red River Valley. 3) Development of alternative production systems of small grains--I continue to develop winter wheat as a possible alternative to spring wheat and barley. The testing of foreign germplasm expanded with not only the evaluation of three winter barley cultivars, but an additional six winter wheat varieties. Underscoring the importance of snow cover for winter survival, the winter barley cultivars tested survived Roseau, but winter killed in all other Minnesota locations this past season.

IMPACT: 2006/01 TO 2006/12
Variety selection continues to change for the better, with producers selecting HRSW that are adapted to their production system and have the quality characteristics important in the market. The adaptation of producers of the appropriate timing of fungicides is resulting in not only improved disease control, but improved grain quality, and food safety. The adaptation of the research ensures prudent use of fungicides in the environment. A significant increase was reported in winter wheat acreage in 2005.

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2006/01 TO 2006/12
1. Anderson, J.A., R.H. Busch, D.V. Mcvey, J.A. Kolmer, Y. Jin, G.L. Linkert, J.V. Wiersma, R. Dill-Macky, J.J. Wiersma, and G.A. Hareland. 2006. Registration of 'Ulen' wheat. Crop Sci. 46:979-980.
2. Wiersma, J.J. H. Kandel, and Z. Fore. 2006. The feasibility of winter wheat following soybean in Northern Minnesota. Online. Crop Management.
3. Martinson B., B.R. Durgan, and J.J. Wiersma. 2006. Wild Oat (Avena fatua L.) control with reduced rates of postemergence herbicides. Online. Crop Management.
4. Anderson, J.A., R.H. Busch, D.V. Mcvey, J.A. Kolmer, Y. Jin, G.L. Linkert, J.V. Wiersma, R. Dill-Macky, J.J. Wiersma, and G.A. Hareland. 2006. Registration of 'Ada' wheat. Crop Sci.(accepted)
5. Wiersma, J.J., J.A. Anderson, and B.R. Durgan. 2006. 'Ada' - Hard Red Spring Wheat. Fact Sheet. Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul.
6. Wiersma, J.J., J.A. Anderson, and B.R. Durgan. 2006. 'Freyr' - Hard Red Spring Wheat. Fact Sheet (revised). Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul.
7. Wiersma, J.J., J.A. Anderson, and B.R. Durgan. 2006. 'Granite' - Hard Red Spring Wheat. Fact Sheet (revised) . Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul.
8. Wiersma, J.J., J.A. Anderson, and B.R. Durgan. 2006. 'Trooper' - Hard Red Spring Wheat. Fact Sheet (revised). Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul.
9. Wiersma, J.J., J.A. Anderson, and B.R. Durgan. 2006. 'Alsen' - Hard Red Spring Wheat. Fact Sheet (revised). Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul.
10. Wiersma, J.J., J.A. Anderson, and B.R. Durgan. 2006. 'Briggs' - Hard Red Spring Wheat. Fact Sheet (revised). Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul.
11. Wiersma, J.J., J.A. Anderson, and B.R. Durgan. 2005. 'Knudson' - Hard Red Spring Wheat. Fact Sheet (revised). Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul.
12. Wiersma, J.J., J.A. Anderson, and B.R. Durgan. 2006. 'Oklee' - Hard Red Spring Wheat. Fact Sheet (revised). Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul.
13. Wiersma, J.J., J.A. Anderson, and B.R. Durgan. 2006. 'Ulen' - Hard Red Spring Wheat. Fact Sheet (revised). Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul.
14. Wiersma, J.J., J.A. Anderson, and B.R. Durgan. 2006. 'Walworth' - Hard Red Spring Wheat. Fact Sheet (revised). Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul.

PROJECT CONTACT:
Name: Wiersma, J. J.
Phone: 218-281-8629
Fax: 218-281-8603
Email: wiers002@umn.edu