A durum early-generation selection program for the Mondak region has been ongoing since 1997 in cooperation with the durum breeder in Fargo.  Each year, plants are selected from F₂ populations based on agronomic characters and disease resistance.  F₃ progeny from each selection are grown in the greenhouse during the winter at EARC to identify daylength insensitive lines. Progeny from daylength insensitive plants are grown in head rows in the field at EARC during the following summer. Lines are selected based on heading date, height, disease resistance, and other agronomic characters.  Selected lines are harvested and tested in the lab for quality characteristics including test weight, protein content, seed size, gluten strength, and hard vitreous amber color.  In 2004, we included a test for starch content and composition.

We tested 100 lines in 2005 in preliminary yield trials under irrigated and dryland conditions. Additionally, 67 advanced lines were tested in Sidney under irrigated and dryland conditions, and in Williston under dryland conditions.  Of the 67 advanced lines, 33 were double haploids developed in Fargo in 2001. These will be tested for semolina and pasta quality at Fargo during the winter. Three lines were tested in quality strips in Williston for inclusion in quality testing in Fargo.

1000 land races and varieties from the World Collection of durum were grown in Sidney in 2004 to be tested for starch content and composition. In addition, these lines and all single rows in the breeding program were rated for stem solidness. In all, 84 lines were rated with moderate to highly stem solidness, with 79 of them from the World Collection. These lines were crossed with agronomically acceptable plants in F₂ populations in 2005 to develop a solid-stemmed population.

One hundred forty-five winter durum lines and varieties from the world collection of durum were planted in September, 2004. These were evaluated for winter survival in this region. Fifty lines demonstrated fair to good winter survival and will be crossed with agronomically acceptable spring types. Early generations will be selected for winter survival and agronomic characteristics.

¹MSU Eastern Agricultural Research Center, Sidney, MT

²NDSU Department of Plant Sciences, Fargo, ND