Rates of yield gain of hard red spring wheat in western Canada

Thomas, J. B. and Graf, R. J. 2014. Rates of yield gain of hard red spring wheat in western Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1–13. The Manitoba and Saskatchewan Seed Guides dating back to 1972 represent an unused source of yield comparisons to re-examine current progress in western Canadian spring wheat cultivar yields. Adjusting for the shift in check cultivars over time showed that the yield rise due to new cultivars could be divided into two periods. Prior to the early 1990s, yields rose at a rate of about 0.33% per year; these low early rates agree with other published estimates from this period and were possibly influenced by a strong emphasis on replicating the quality of previous cultivars. From the early 1990s to 2013, yields rose by about 0.7% per year; this doubling of the earlier rate was significant based on the non-overlap of confidence intervals of comparable slopes. To compare rates published in the literature with these new rates, all slopes were adjusted to a common benchmark where mean yield = 100%. Following these adjustments, current rates in western Canada (about 0.67% per year) were comparable with a world average estimated to be about 0.62% per year. Variation in performance among Canada Western Red Spring cultivars based on the Seed Guides was significantly correlated with their on-farm yields based on Manitoba Management Plus Program (MMPP) crop insurance data (r = 0.81, n = 42). Beginning in 1991, on-farm yields rose by an average of about 1.4% per year both in Manitoba (Manitoba Management Plus Program data) and across the entire western wheat area (Statistics Canada data). This compares favorably with a world-wide rate of yield increase for wheat since 1991 of 1.16% per year. Although western Canadian on-farm yield gains were attributed to a combination of new cultivars and upgraded agronomy, the two influences were not separable in the Manitoba crop insurance data set. Opinions published in the farming press that rates of yield gain among western Canadian wheat cultivars are comparatively low were not supported by the evidence presented here.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of on-farm crop management decisions on canola productivity

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps2013-121 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 94 (1) ◽

pp. 131-139 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Chang Liu ◽

Yantai Gan ◽

Lee Poppy

Keyword(s):

Seed Yield ◽

Combine Method ◽

Crop Management ◽

Western Canada ◽

Key Factors ◽

Management Decisions ◽

Data Set ◽

K Fertilizer ◽

Farm Crop ◽

On Farm

Liu, C., Gan, Y. and Poppy, L. 2014. Evaluation of on-farm crop management decisions on canola productivity. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 131–139. This study determined key factors affecting canola productivity in western Canada and evaluated the differences among soil-climatic zones in canola crops responding to the key agronomic factors. A total of 68 canola farm fields were randomly selected in western Canada, and multiple correspondence analysis, coupled with multivariate predictive model with partial least squares projection and regressions, was used to analyze the data set. Canola produced in Alberta averaged 2500 kg ha−1, and was 23% greater than canola produced in southern Saskatchewan, 10% greater than canola produced in northern Saskatchewan, and 59% greater than canola produced in Manitoba. Canola produced on chem-fallow averaged 2557 kg ha−1, and was 17% greater than canola grown on cereal stubble, or 43% greater than canola grown on pea/lentil, corn stubble. Canola grown on canola stubble produced 54% of the seed yield as canola grown on cereal stubble, or 46% of the seed yield as canola grown on chem-fallow. Shallow and earlier seeding with narrow row spacing increased canola seed yields consistently. Canola receiving K fertilizer increased seed yield by an average of 25% compared with those receiving no K fertilizer. Straight combine resulted in 500 kg ha−1 or 24% more seed yield than conventional swath-combine method. Those key factors may serve as the first-hand information in the development of sound guidelines for less experienced canola producers in western Canada.

Download Full-text

GENOTYPE-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS IN YIELD OF WHEAT

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps69-127 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 49 (6) ◽

pp. 743-751 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

R. J. Baker

Keyword(s):

Detailed Analysis ◽

Spring Wheat ◽

Variance Components ◽

Wheat Yield ◽

Yield Stability ◽

Western Canada ◽

Environment Interaction ◽

Hard Red Spring Wheat ◽

Genotype Environment Interaction ◽

Different Types

A detailed analysis of genotype-environment interactions was carried out among yields of six cultivars of hard red spring wheat grown at each of nine locations in five different years. Subdividing the sum of squares for genotype-environment interactions into components due to each cultivar indicated that the Finlay-Wilkinson method of measuring yield stability is of little value for wheat yield in western Canada. Conventional estimates of variance components due to the different types of genotype-environment interaction indicated that all except the genotype-year interaction were significant and important.

Download Full-text

REACTION OF FLOUR OF SOME VARIETIES OF HARD RED SPRING WHEAT TO BLEACHING AGENTS

Canadian Journal of Research ◽

10.1139/cjr32-018 ◽

1932 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 255-264

Author(s):

R. K. Larmour ◽

W. F. Geddes ◽

J. G. Malloch

Keyword(s):

Spring Wheat ◽

Western Canada ◽

Hard Red Spring Wheat ◽

Relative Susceptibility ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Composite Samples

Composite samples of "aged" flour of 17 varieties of spring wheat grown in western Canada, were bleached by three methods, namely, [Formula: see text] oz. Betachlor per bbl., 1 lb. Novadel per 40 bbl., and [Formula: see text] oz. Betachlor per bbl. followed by 1 lb. Novadel per 40 bbl. Gasoline color values were determined for the bleached and unbleached samples and it was found that the more highly pigmented flours in the series could be reduced to approximately the same color as the less pigmented samples, indicating that the former respond to a greater extent to bleaching than the latter. The color of the bread was improved in all cases, the greatest improvement occurring with Betachlor plus Novadel and the least with Betachlor alone. Loaf volumes obtained with six different baking formulas showed no significant difference between bleached and unbleached samples. None of the dosages showed any evidence of overbleaching. It was thought that information might be obtained on the relative susceptibility of the varieties to damage by bleaching agents, but it was found that normal dosages are not sufficient for differentiation on this basis. It is suggested that this might be accomplished by using heavier dosages of Betachlor.

Download Full-text

CDC Teal hard red spring wheat

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps93-032 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

pp. 193-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

G. R. Hughes ◽

P. Hucl

Keyword(s):

Spring Wheat ◽

Black Soil ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Western Canada ◽

Early Maturity ◽

Hard Red Spring Wheat ◽

Soil Zone ◽

Early Maturing ◽

Cultivar Description ◽

The University

Teal is an early-maturing hard red spring wheat best adapted to the Black soil zone of western Canada. It combines early maturity with good yield potential, increased kernel size and leaf and stem rust resistance. It was developed at the University of Saskatchewan from a three-way cross involving BW514 (Nainari 60/Huelquen), Benito and BW38 (UM953A/Neepawa; UM953A = Sonora 64/Tezanos Pintos Precos). Key words: Triticum aestivum, cultivar description, bread wheat

Download Full-text

Prodigy hard red spring wheat

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p02-168 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 83 (4) ◽

pp. 813-816 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

R. J. Graf ◽

D. A. Potts ◽

P. Hucl ◽

K. M. Hanson

Keyword(s):

Triticum Aestivum ◽

Spring Wheat ◽

Triticum Aestivum L ◽

Test Weight ◽

Western Canada ◽

Loose Smut ◽

Common Bunt ◽

Head Blight ◽

Hard Red Spring Wheat ◽

Cultivar Description

Prodigy hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is adapted to the wheat growing regions of western Canada. Evaluation in the Central Bread Wheat Cooperative registration tests from 1995 to 1997 was relative to Neepawa, Roblin, AC Majestic and McKenzie. Prodigy displayed high grain yield, mid-season maturity, strong straw, high protein content and high test weight. It exhibited resistance to the prevalent races of stem rust, leaf rust, and common bunt, moderate susceptibility to loose smut and susceptibility to Fusarium head blight. Prodigy is eligible for all grades of Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat. Key words: Triticum aestivum L., cultivar description, red spring wheat, grain protein, test weight, disease resistance

Download Full-text

Breeding hard red spring wheat in western Canada: Historical trends in yield and related variables

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps95-065 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 75 (2) ◽

pp. 387-393 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

T. N. McCaig ◽

R. M. DePauw

Keyword(s):

Bread Wheat ◽

Spring Wheat ◽

Maximum Yield ◽

Grain Filling ◽

Kernel Weight ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Western Canada ◽

Historical Trends ◽

Early Maturity ◽

Hard Red Spring Wheat

The Western Bread Wheat Cooperative test and Central Bread Wheat Cooperative test are the bases of evaluation for cultivar registration in the Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat class. Historical data from these tests were analyzed with the objectives of comparing grain-yield-related variables of recently registered cultivars with those of earlier cultivars and determining the yield advances made within the CWRS wheat class. Canadian cultivars increased maximum yield potential approximately 6–9 kg ha−1 yr−1 during a 90–yr period. Yield potential of sawfly-resistant cultivars has been increasing at a rate of 11 kg ha−1 yr−1, although they consistently yielded less than the highest yielding hollow-stem cultivars. In general, the genetic yield increases resulted from an increase in the number of kernels produced rather than an increase in kernel size. This suggests that bread wheat grown on the prairies has been sink limited during grain filling. Breeding efforts focused on increasing Canadian production through the development of numerous CWRS cultivars with specific traits (e.g., early maturity, disease resistance) to allow hard red spring wheat to be grown over a broad geographical range. Plant height, time to maturity, and hectolitre weight did not change significantly during the 1947–1992 period. Key words:Triticum, kernel number, kernel weight, height, hectolitre weight

Download Full-text

THE EFFECT OF WINDROWING HARD RED SPRING WHEAT AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF MATURITY AT FOUR LOCATIONS IN WESTERN CANADA

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps79-052 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 321-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

M. E. DODDS ◽

K. E. BOWREN ◽

D. A. DEW ◽

D. G. FARIS

Keyword(s):

Spring Wheat ◽

Triticum Aestivum L ◽

Kernel Weight ◽

Significant Loss ◽

Western Canada ◽

Canadian Prairies ◽

Hard Red Spring Wheat ◽

Moisture Contents ◽

Percent Protein ◽

Growing Region

Hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Neepawa was windrowed at kernel moisture contents (KMC), wet basis, ranging from about 45 to 14% for 3 yr at four diverse locations, from 50° 16′ to 55° 12′ N latitude, in western Canada. Compared with windrowing at lower KMCs, cutting the crop at 35% KMC did not cause significant loss in seed yield or quality as measured by test weight (kg/hl), 1000-kernel weight, or percent protein. The results show that cutting wheat at 25–35% KMC can be recommended as a general practice throughout the wheat-growing region of the Canadian Prairies.

Download Full-text