2009 Test Conditions

Weather
Wet weather in the fall of 2008 resulted in planting into wet seed beds at most locations. Planting was at the optimal time based on the Hessian fly-free date at Portageville, Charleston and Columbia but was later than optimal at both southwestern locations (approximately 10 days late) and at both Novelty and Trenton where it was approximately 1 month late. In order to get Trenton and Novelty planted, both were no-till drilled into a very wet seed bed. Stands were negatively affected at most locations although the cool wet spring allowed for some recovery in tiller density in many varieties resulting in yields that were higher than originally predicted based on spring stands at green-up. Persistent rainfall during the heading window resulted in Fusarium head blight (FHB) being present in most varieties at all locations. It was least severe (1-2%) at Mt. Vernon as evidenced by the excellent yield and test weights at that location. Susceptible varieties were impacted to a greater degree with significant losses in both yield and test weight. Varieties that had some level of resistance, in general, maintained better test weights and grain yield. Persistent rainfall during the early growing season resulted in foliar diseases including both Septoria leaf blotch and some glume blotch at most locations. These foliar diseases were rated at Mt. Vernon.

Temperatures remained unusually cool during grain fill and moist conditions persisted. Ergot was present in some varieties at both Lamar and Novelty. The number of ergot bodies present in approximately 4,000 kernels was counted and presented for the Lamar location.

A prolonged dry period around harvest permitted near optimal harvest at most locations. In the southeast, southwest and at Columbia, harvest was optimal and consistent with growers in the surrounding fields, while the Trenton and Novelty locations were both delayed by rain. Yield and test weight at these two northern locations was reduced by Fusarium head blight, persistent rainfall, late planting and the late harvest.