1995 Kentucky Small Grain Variety Trials

Small grain performance tests were conducted at seven locations in six of Kentucky's agroclimatic regions: Purchase, Western Coal Field, Ohio Valley, Bluegrass, Southern Tier ( Princeton limestone and Hopkinsville) and the North Central region. Plots were planted with a 6-row cone seeder with a row spacing of 7". Nitrogen was applied in the spring, as ammonium nitrate at an N rate of 45 lb/a at Feekes growth stage 3, and 45 lb/a at growth stage 5. Fungicides were applied to control diseases through grain fill at the Bluegrass and Southern Tier (Princeton limestone) tests only.

1995 Test Conditions

Favorable weather during October allowed for timely seeding of wheat and\barley variety trials. Both November and December were unseasonably warm and dry and good stand establishment and fall growth were obtained at all test locations. January and February weather was warmer and wetter than normal, resulting in excellent winter survival for all tests. Warm and dry weather during March and April were conducive to good spring growth and little disease development. However, the mild fall and winter did encourage Barley Yellow Dwarf virus infection at thePrinceton, Lexington and Christian county locations which probably resulted in someyield reductions at these sites. The Princeton limestone (Table 8) and Lexington (Table 7) trials were treated with fungicides to control fungal diseases. However, yield and test weight of the Princeton limestone trial were reduced somewhat by the presence of the soilborne take- all fungus disease which could not by controlled by foliar fungicides. Tests at all other locations were untreated, so varieties could be rated for disease resistance. Although the Barley Yellow Dwarf virus was present this year, no varietal ratings were made since the dry spring resulted in slow uptake of nitrogen which caused a general yellowing of the crop and made BYDV ratings difficult.