Continued low prices and shrinking markets for spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) have driven an interest in hard white spring wheat (HWSW) as an alternative to hard red spring wheat (HRSW) for the U.S. Northern Plains.  The latest U.S. Farm Bill also offers growers a monetary incentive for producing white wheat.  White spring wheat is an attractive alternative to red in the production of breads and Asian noodles, but to be of benefit to producers, HWSW genotypes must be competitive for grain yield and demonstrate high end-use qualities for these markets under different production practices.  In 2001 and 2002, HWSW, soft white spring wheat (SWSW), and HRSW genotypes were grown in replicated yield trials in cooperation with Dr. Bill Berzonsky, Specialty Spring Wheat Breeder.  Genotypes were grown under sprinkler irrigation at a Fort Peck, Montana location and under dryland and irrigated conditions at a Sidney, Montana location. 

Objectives

1.)            To determine if irrigated production results in a significant change in the ash content of hard white spring wheat compared to dryland production in western North Dakota locations. 

2.)            To determine if irrigated production of hard white spring wheat results in a significant change in noodle end-use quality (discoloration and texture) compared to dryland production in western North Dakota locations.

3.)            To compare the grain yield performance of white spring wheat with red spring wheat at locations across the U.S. Northern Plains under dryland and irrigated production practices.

End-use quality analyses and tests relative to objectives 1 and 2 are ongoing for 2002 production year samples with plans to have these analyses completed by the spring of 2003.  Kernel ash results from the 2001 Sidney samples are reported herein with additional results for the 2001 and 2002 production years forthcoming.  Yield results relative to objective 3 are reported herein with additional results for the 2002 production year forthcoming.

 The following are the most significant findings of the study to date:

§                 HWSW genotype AC Vista exhibited mean grain yields as high or higher than HRSW genotype Parshall at all locations.

§                 Among the white wheat genotypes, only AC Vista exhibited a mean grain yield comparable to Parshall under irrigated production practices.

§                 Compared with dryland production, under irrigation, most genotypes exhibited a significantly higher kernel ash content, and all genotypes grown under irrigation produced sheeted yellow alkaline noodles that were significantly darker in color after 24 h compared with genotypes grown without irrigation.

Comparison of mean grain yield and test weight of eight white spring with two red spring wheats at one ND and three MT locations, 2001.