Comparison of Hungarian Winter Durum Wheat to Ohio Soft Red Winter Wheat

The opening of a new durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) mill in Ohio and the premium prices paid for durum led to an examination of the feasibility of successfully producing Hungarian winter durum wheat in Ohio and the rest of the soft red winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) (SRWW) region. The grain yields and agronomic characteristics of three promising Hungarian winter durum wheat cultivars, ‘Basa ’, ‘Minaret ’, and ‘Pannondur ’, were compared to those of Ohio SRWW cultivars, ‘Cardinal ’ and ‘Dynasty ’, in seven field trials from 1989 to 1991, at Wooster, OH. Mean Hungarian winter durum grain yields were 20%, 48%, and 53% of Ohio SRWW in 1989,1990, and 1991, respectively. Mean plant densities for the Hungarian durums improved from 49% in 1989, to 71% and 93% in 1990 and 1991, respectively. These improvements were attributed to higher seeding rates and to milder temperatures in ‘90 and ‘91. Mean test weights for the durum cultivars were lower than for Ohio SRWW in 1989 and 1990, but not 1991. Higher than normal rainfall during grain‐fill and maturation in 1989 and 1990 encouraged disease development and preharvest sprouting in the durum cultivars reducing grain quality. The Hungarian winter durum cultivars headed an average of 1 to 4 d later than Ohio SRWW cultivars and they averaged 6 in. shorter. Unsatisfactory durum grain yields and quality were obtained in two of the three trial years, indicating the durum cultivars are not comparable to the Ohio SRWW. Production of these Hungarian cultivars in Ohio, and the rest of the SRWW region, must await their genetic improvement through breeding. Research Question The opening of a new durum wheat grain mill in Huron, OH, and the premium prices usually paid for durum prompted research into the production of Hungarian winter durum wheat in Ohio. This study compared the grain yields and agronomic characteristics of three Hungarian winter durum wheat cultivars to two Ohio soft red winter wheat cultivars adapted to the soft red winter wheat region. This comparison was made as a first step in assessing the feasibility of successfully producing these Hungarian winter durums in Ohio and the rest of the soft red winter wheat region. Literature Summary Durum wheat is produced on approximately 6% of the land used for wheat production in the USA, however, only spring types are grown. Spring durum wheat produces lower grain yields than soft red winter wheat, making it an unlikely crop for production in Ohio and the entire soft red winter wheat region. It is generally accepted that winter wheat will produce a higher grain yield than spring wheat in a region where there is adequate winter survival. Winter durum wheat is cultivated in Eastern European countries such as: Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Yugoslavia. In small, fall‐sown observation plots, which included 1200 durum accessions from 19 different countries, three Hungarian cultivars exhibited superior survival under Ohio conditions. If these Hungarian winter durum cultivars produce grain yields comparable to Ohio soft red winter wheat cultivars and have acceptable agronomic and quality characteristics, perhaps successful production in Ohio and the rest of the soft red winter wheat region is feasible. Study Description Three Hungarian winter durum cultivars, ‘Basa’, ‘Minaret’, and ‘Pannondur’, were compared in field trials with Ohio soft red winter wheat cultivars, ‘Cardinal’ and ‘Dynasty’, for grain yield and agronomic characteristics. Seven field trials were planted, from 1988 to 1990, at Wooster, OH. Descriptions of the trials are provided in Table . Field plots were visually evaluated in the spring (Feekes growth stage 4) for plant density and later for days‐to‐heading. Plants were measured for height at physiological maturity, and grain yield and test weight were obtained after harvest. Applied Questions Did the Hungarian winter durum wheat cultivars compare favorably with Ohio soft red winter wheat cultivars for yield and agronomic characteristics? What are the production implications based on the results of these comparisons? The Hungarian winter durum wheat cultivars did not compare favorably with Ohio soft red winter wheat cultivars for grain yield or for several agronomic characteristics. Mean grain yields for these cultivars were 20%, 48%, and 53% of the mean grain yields for the Ohio soft red winter wheats in 1989, 1990, and 1991, respectively (Fig. ). Mean plant density for the Hungarian durums improved from 49% in 1989, to 71% in 1990, and 93% in 1991. Seeding rate was increased from 2.0 bu/acre to 2.5 bu/acre in 1989 and 1990. Milder temperatures and increased seeding rate in 1990 and 1991 appeared to contribute to improved plant densities. Abnormally high rainfall during flowering and grain maturation in 1989 and 1990 decreased Hungarian durum test weights compared with the Ohio soft red winter wheats. In 1991, with dry conditions during the same period, Hungarian durum and Ohio soft red winter wheat test weights were comparable. The Hungarian winter durum wheat cultivars headed an average of 1 to 4 d later and averaged 6 in. shorter than the Ohio soft red winter wheats over the three trial years. The price paid for durum wheat on 9 Feb. 1988 at the Huron grain mill was $4.91/bu compared with $3.13/bu for Ohio soft red winter wheat. At these prices, an Ohio‐produced durum wheat would need to yield at least 64% of soft red winter wheat to be considered economically competitive. The highest mean grain yield of the Hungarian cultivars, compared with the Ohio soft red winter wheat cultivars, was in 1991 when their yield was 53% of the soft red winter wheat cultivars. The Hungarian winter durum cultivars were also not comparable with Ohio soft red winter cultivars for plant density, days‐to‐heading, and test weight in two of the three trial years. Therefore, we conclude that the successful production of these three Hungarian winter durum cultivars in Ohio, and the remainder of the soft red winter wheat region, must await their genetic improvement for yield, winter hardiness, and quality through selection and breeding. Description of field trials of three Hungarian winter durum wheat cultivars compared with two Ohio soft red winter wheat cultivars at Wooster, OH. Planting date Trial no. Seeding rate Soil type bu/acre 30 Sept. 1988 1 2.0 Riddles & Canfield 30 Sept. 1988 2 2.0 Canfield 30 Sept. 1988 3 2.0 Canfield 5 Oct. 1989 1 2.5 Riddles & Canfield 5 Oct. 1989 2 2.5 Riddles & Canfield 2 Oct. 1990 1 2.5 Riddles & Canfield 2 Oct. 1990 2 2.5 Riddles & Canfield Riddles silt loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Argixerolls), Canfield silt loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic Aquic Fragiudalf). Mean grain yields of three Hungarian winter durum and two Ohio soft red winter wheat cultivars from 1989 to 1991, at Wooster, OH (Bars = SE). image