Nathan D. Fortner and Robert Bacon. University of Arkansas, 115 Plant Science, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Blending two or more cultivars has been successful in some instances in increasing yield and yield stability. This experiment measured the effects of blending nine soft red winter wheat cultivars on yield, test weight, lodging, and six yield components. The cultivars were mixed in 50:50 ratios based on number of seed to create 27 two-way combinations. Two field experiments were planted in October of 2003 at Stuttgart and Kibler, Arkansas. Thirty-six entries consisting of 27 blends and 9 pure-line cultivars, were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. There were few yield responses as a result of blending. At Stuttgart only the Sabbe/McCormick blend resulted in a significant yield increase of 492 kg ha-1 (9%), compared to the average of the two component lines. Two of the blends, Coker 9152/USG 3209 and USG 3209/Croplan Genetics 514W, showed decreases in yield of 623 kg ha-1 (-16.4%) and 597 kg ha-1 (-17.4%) respectively, at Kibler, AR. At both locations, significant differences in yield did not correspond to significant differences in any yield component. Two blends, Roane/AGS 2000 and AGS 2000/McCormick, each had significant differences in four of the six yield components, but neither blend showed a significant change in yield. Blends had more effect on test weight than yield at both locations. At Stuttgart, where test weights were higher, if a significant (p=0.05) response was seen it was usually a reduction in test weight. At Kibler, where test weights were lower, most responses resulted in an increase in test weight. At Stuttgart, the only blend that had a significant (p=0.05) increase in percent lodging was Sabbe/McCormick. However, at Kibler there were eleven blends that had a significant increase in lodging compared to the average of their components. The average increase in lodging at Kibler was 22%.
Handout (.pdf format, 42.0 kb)
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