Non-Peer ReviewedA supposedly very high yielding branched spike wheat (BSW) was shown to yield as much as 75 % less than standard Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) cultivars when severely infected with leaf and stem rust. With little or no disease pressure BSW still yielded 25-30% less than semi-dwarf wheat cultivars under both dryland and irrigated conditions. The BSW was very tall and later maturing than HY 320. Kernel and quality characteristics of BSW would appear to limit its market potential regardless of yield

Crowle, W.L.

Hucl, P.J.

Hughes, G.R.

English

University of Saskatchewan Research Archive

EVALUATION OF A PUTATIVELY VERY HIGH YIELDING "MIRACLE" SPRING WHEAT. P. Hucl (1), W.L. Crowle (2) and G.R. Hughes (3) (1) Product Development Section, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. (2) Agriculture Canada Research Station, Saskatoon. (3) Department of Crop Science and Plant Ecology, University of Saskatchewan. ABSTRACT A supposedly very high yielding branched spike wheat (BSW) was shown to yield as much as 75% less than standard Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) cultivars when severely infected with leaf and stem rust. With little or no disease pressure BSW still yielded 25-30% less than semi-dwarf wheat cultivars under both dryland and irrigated conditions. The BSW was very tall and later maturing than HY 320. Kernel and quality characteristics of BSW would appear to limit its market potential regardless of yield. INTRODUCTION A branched spike spring wheat which . supposedly yields up to 125 bu/acre received farm press and national television coverage in 1985 and 1986. Seed of this genotype was apparently being sold at $50.00/bu. Branched spike wheats (BSW) have been described (and illustrated) on several occasions (Percival, 1921; Bayles and Clark, 1954; Sharman, 1967). Genotypes with branched spikes have been classified as Foulard (syn. Rivet, Cone) wheat (Triticum turgidum L.). Percival (1921) describes three white seeded types of BSW (vars. pseudocervinum, Plinianum, mirabile) which were originally reported in 1885. Percival's BSW's were obtained from Turkey, Greece, Russia, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, North Africa and the United States. American genotypes went under the following names; 'Alaska', 'Seven-headed' ,'Mummy' and 'Miracle' wheat. The BSW genotype currently being promoted in Saskatchewan has been described as being of "Russian" origin. Branched spikes can produce up to a dozen branches with as many as 14 spikelets per branch. Basal branches tend to be sterile. A large branched spike can produce 140-150 kernels and 115-120 spikelets (Percival, 1921, Pennell and Halloran, 1983). The norm, however, is closer to 80-100 kernels and 85-90 spikelets (Percival, 1921). To quote Percival: "the wheat is nevertheless not prolific in field culture, the tillering power being low, each plant rarely producing more than two straws". 255 MATERIALS AND METHODS Seed of the BSW was obtained from growers in the North Battleford-Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area. In 1986, the trial (Table 2) was seeded at the University of Saskatchewan's Kernen Research Farm on May 30. The 1987 trials were seeded on May 7 (Saskatoon), May 14 (Watrous) and May 19 (Outlook). The harvested plot size was 4.4 m2 {Saskatoon, 1986), 2.3 m2 (Saskatoon, 1987), 4.3 m2 (Watrous) and 3.8 m2 (Outlook). Approximately 50 kg/ha of 11-51-0 fertilizer was drilled in with the seed at all locations. The Outlook site was fertigated during the growing season through a centre pivot irrigation system. The seeding rates were approximately 220 seeds/m2 (Saskatoon, 1986) 2 250 seeds/m2 (Saskatoon, 1987), 290 seeds/m2 (Watrous) and 440 seeds/m (Outlook). A randomized complete block design was used in all four trials with three replications at Saskatoon (1986) and four replications for the remaining trials. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The North Battleford "Russian" wheat sample used in the 1987 Watrous and Outlook trials was a composite of three wheat genotypes and a small percentage of barley {Table 1). The predominant wheat genotype closely resembled the Triticum turgidum L. BSW's described and depicted in the literature. Root tip chromosome counts confirmed the tetraploid nature of the currently investigated BSW. The rema~n~ng wheat components of the seed mixture were unbranched Triticum aestivum genotypes {Table 1). In 1986, the Saskatoon trial was characterized by a later seeding date and a very extensive rust infestation (Puccinia recondita and~· graminis). Yields of the BSW were very low, approximately 25% of that observed for standard CWRS cultivars Neepawa and Katepwa (Table 2). The BSW was nearly 30 em taller than the CWRS cultivars but only lodged to about the same extent as the check cultivars. The marked effect of rust on the BSW is evident from the low kernel and test weights for that genotype in 1986. Drou~ht at the 1987 Saskatoon site severely curtailed grain yields and plant heights {Table 3). Under those dry growing conditions and in the absence of rust infestations the BSW grain yield was not significantly (-9%) different from the mean of the CWRS cultivar (Katepwa and Columbus) yields. Katepwa yielded 12% less than BSW but on the other hand, Columbus out yielded the latter by 28% (P<O.Ol). On average the semi-dwarf cultivars yielded 29% more than BSW, a highly significant difference. (Table 3). As in the previous trial the BSW was approximately 30 em taller than the mean of the CWRS cultivars. The Watrous (dryland) and Outlook (irrigated) sites were moderate and high yielding, respectively. Leaf rust infection was slight to moderate at both sites. At both sites, the BSW yielded significantly less than the CWRS cultivar Columbus (Table 4). Under dryland conditions BSW yielded similarly 256 to the CPS semi-dwarf cultivar Oslo which matured a week earlier. At Outlook Oslo yielded significantly more {+16%) than BSW and still matured over a week earlier. The later maturing semi-dwarf cultivars HY 320 and Fielder significantly out yielded the BSW genotype under both dryland and irrigated conditions. Averaged over the two sites (Table 4) HY 320 yielded 23% more than BSW. The BSW genotype headed and matured significantly later thari the remaining entries in most cases. The BSW headed and matured four days later than HY 320. As was observed elsewhere (Table 2, 3) BSW was very tall. Under the relatively low disease pressure experienced in 1987 the kernel and test weights of the BSW were similar to those of the check cultivars (Table 3 and 5). This is· in sharp contrast to. the results obtained under heavy disease pressure at Saskatoon in 1986 (Table 2). The BSW produced nearly 6 branches/spike (range 2-9) in 1987 (Table 5). Due to the branching, BSW produced over twice as many spikelets/spike as Columbus and HY 320 and significantly more kernels/spike. The average number of spikelets/spike and kernels/spike for BSW are roughly half the figures reported by Percival (1921). The protein content of BSW was higher than that to that of the CWRS cultivar Columbus (Table harder than those of all cultivars (low PSI difference between BSW and Columbus does significant. The kernels of BSW are too soft (AD.) category (data not presented). of the semi·-dwarfs and similar 5). The kernels of BSW were value) but the kernel hardness not appear to be statistically to fall within the Amber Durum The original sample of BSW (Table 1) was tentatively classified as Canada Soft White Spring (Canadian Grain Commission, Personal Communication) due to the starchy appearance of the kernels. The protein content of the original seed sample was in the 8-9% range which is consistent with the extremely high level of piebald kernels (98%) observed. In 1987, however, (Table 5) the higher BSW protein levels were associated with lower starchy kernel levels (60.5±0.9%) resulting in a mixture of kernel types. Some resembled squat Amber Durums while others were similar to soft white wheat. The kernel of BSW is distinctly shorter than that associated with Amber Durums. The short, humped appearance and softer kernel texture of BSW is consistent with descriptions provided by Percival (1921) as well as Bayles and Clark (1954). Preliminary quality analyses on the original seed sample, indicated that very weak gluten properties of BSW preclude its use in commercial bread baking. Percival (1921) characcerizes Foulard wheat as having a •weak' flour which is unsuited for baking purposes. A BSW was To quote tested by the University of Saskatchewan from the conclusion from Champlin and Goulden's 1914 to 1916. (1922) study: 11It possesses a large branched head which gives it the appearance of a very high producer and this characteristic has again and again been made use of by unscrupulous dealers to foist it upon the unsuspecting farmer at exorbitant prices. This periodic exploitation of the farmer has been 257 continually taking place ever since the introduction of this wheat to the New Englru~d states over one hundred years ago. Needless to say the buyers have been sadly disappointed not: only in the yield but in the poor quality of w'le v;heat"" Claims of very high yield potentials for a branched spike wheat would appear to be unfounded based on yield trials conducted in 1986 and 1987. The kernel and qvality characteristics of this BSW exclude it from current wheat market classes. Producers wishing to grow high yielding wheat for livestock feeding purposes should consider presently recommended semi-dwarf cultivars. ACKNO~S The authors are grateful to Kevin Falk (ACRS, Saskatoon) for carrying out the chromosome counts. The i'latrous and Outlook trials were conducted by Barbara Fmder and Mary Ties sen, stationed at the Saskatche~J>Jan Wheat Pool's Watrous Research Farm. The Outlook trial was located on the farrn of SWP farmer co~ operator Mr" Merle Larson. Bayles, R.B. and Clark, J.A. 1954. Classification of wheat varieties grown in the United States in 1949, USDA Technical Bull. 1083. Champlin, M. and Goulden, C.H. 1922. Scientific Agriculture 2: 283-305. Milling quality of Saskatchewan wheat. Pennell, A.L. and Halloran, G.M. 1983. Inheritance of supernumary spikelets in wheat. Euphytica 32:767-776. Percival, J. 1921. The wheat plant: A monograph. Duckworth and Co. London. Sharman, B.C. 1967. Interpretation of the morphology of various naturally occurring abnormalities of the inflorescence of wheat (Triticum spp.). Can. J. Bot. 45:2073-2080. January 7, 1988. /ci MIRACLE.RPT#2 258 TABLE 1. COMPOSITION OF THE "RUSSIAN" SPRING WHEAT. t % of Plant Kernel eomponent Stand Type Type 1. Branched spike (awned) 78±3 Tall, late maturity Unclassified 2. Awned 8±1 short, medium maturity USA - Spring 3. Awnless 10±1 Medium, early maturity CWRS 4. Barley <5 2-row * Mean ± SE for two blocks 0.6 m2 in area (Watrous, 1987) Neepawa .Katepwa ND #1 ND #2 BSW LSD (0.05) Katepwa Columbus HY 320 Pi tic 62 BSW LSD (0.05) TABLE 2. PERFORMANCE OF A BRANCHED SPIKE WHEAT (BSW) AT SASKATOON (U OF S KERNEN FARM) IN 1986. Yield Height Lodging lOOOK Test Wt (kg/ha) (em) (1-9) (g) (kg/hl) 4494 104 2.0 36.3 78 4405 105 3.0 35.9 78 4233 92 1.5 35.6 78 4150 87 4.0 32.4 77 1177 133 2.8 20.5 64 519 4 0.6 TABLE 3. PERFORMANCE OF A BRANCHED SPIKE WHEAT ( BSW) AT SASKATOON (AGRICULTURE CANADA) IN 1987. Yield Height 1000K TEST WT. (kg/ha) {em) (g) (kg/hl} 1100 58 32.1 73.2 1578 70 34.6 1461 57 46.7 75.0 1713 67 38.7 72.4 1230 93 42.8 73.0 203 Single degree of freedom contrasts Katepwa & Columbus (averaged) vs BSW NS HY320 & Pitic 62 (averaged) vs BSW ** NS = non significant, ** = Significant at P < 0.01. 259 '!ABLE 4. AGROHCHIC PERFORMANCE OF A BRANCHED SPIKE WIIEAT (BSW) RELATIVE TO STANDARD SPRING WIIEAT COLTIVARS. (SWP, 1987). Yield (g£ha) Headg (Da:yll_ Maturig (Da:!§} Height Lodging ....(gl_ (1-9) WIR. ....Q;!;L_ ~320 WIR. m :I::BY320 WIR. on. fHY320 _....Q;!;L_ on. Columbus 4531 6281 90 Oslo 3699 6405 84 HY320 5050 6973 100 Fielder 4227 7054 94 B.S.W. 3799 5510 77 LSD (0.05) 391 685 Single degree of freedom contrasts. Clms VS BSW Oslo vs BSW HY320 & Fielder VS BSW NS SWP = Saskatchewan Wheat Pool WIR = Watrous OIL = Outlook 49 55 0 100 111 +2 44 47 -6 95 104 -4 48 55 0 99 108 0 49 56 +1 100 111 +2 54 57 +4 102 113 +4 3 2 3 l oJ:t: NS NS =Nonsignificant;*, '1m Significant at P<·0.05 and P< 0.01, respectively 120 86 90 96 145 10 'IABLE 5. KERNEL AliD SPIKE CHARA.Cn:RISTICS OF A BRAHCBED SPIKE WHF.AT RELATIVE TO STANDARD SPRING WBF.AT CULTIVARS (SWP, 1987)+ Columbus Oslo HY320 BSW 10001: (g) 35.2 ± 2.9 30.5 ± 0.5 34.4 ± 0.6 35.9 ± 0.1 Test Weight !&l!!!... 78 ± 4 73 ± 1 77 ± 1 75 ± 1 Protein 13.5%.b (%) 14.8 ± 0.6 13.3 ± 0.1 11.3 ± 0.2 14.5 ± 0.6 PSI (%) 58.8 ± 1.0 72.4 ± 0.4 75.6 ± 3.<' 57.0 ± 0.9 + For kernel characteristics, mean of 2 sites ± SE For spike traits mean ± SE of 2 Watrous samples Sites (1987) = Watrous and Outlook PSI - Particle size index (NIR determination) 260 Branches/ Spikelets/ Spike... Spike 0 12.9 ± 0.1 0 0 14.6 ± 0.3 5.8 ± 0.4 34.1 ± 1.9 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 4.0 Kernels/ Spike 24.4 ± 2.4 38.3 ± 0.4 50.2 ± 0.6 

Evaluation of a putatively very high yielding "miracle" spring wheat

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Evaluation of a putatively very high yielding "miracle" spring wheat

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