Mark Reichert A central Illinois farmer shows off his winter wheat. Jessica Rutkoski, U of I assistant professor, small grains breeder and winter wheat breeding program lead, detailed the efforts during the recent Illinois Soybean Association Field Advisor Forum. The work is among 22 soybean production research projects for funding by the soybean checkoff. Many of the projects span multiple years to more fully understand and address critical issues affecting the future of Illinois soybean production.
The project provides jointing time, maturity time and yield data for available winter wheat varieties to Illinois farmers so they can make more informed decisions about which varieties to incorporate into a double-crop rotation.
The research is also developing the next-generation wheat varieties that will help growers reach higher yields on both wheat and double-crop soybean crops. So, we have our own breeding program. They call things by different names. Other research includes identifying wheat varieties that lose moisture quicker. The data is available online, providing yields across locations, test weight and scab resistance.
A new feature is the maturity time and jointing time for various varieties. You lose half a bushel of soybean yield per day the later you plant.
Noting the stages of development for wheat, she said a critical stage which happens usually in March is jointing. That is when the wheat becomes vulnerable to a freeze. Temperatures below 26 degrees will cause damage to the crop. The data provided in the Variety Testing program includes early, middle or late jointing time, as well as maturity date. We did find some plots that got completely damaged by spring freeze. The frost damages the stem and it will cause sterility. Rutkoski provided the following recommendations on early wheat varieties:.
