Small Grain Varieties

Station Circular 400 January, 1954
FOR INDIANA
RECOMMENDED BY THE PURDUE UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION LAFAYETTE, INDIANA, FOR SEEDING IN 1954-1
IMPROVED VARIETIES
Indiana farmers have been quick to recognize the value of improved small grain varieties. Increased yielding ability, greater strength of straw, improved quality, and resistance to some of the disease hazards are advantages which have already been realized. Each new variety represents a step forward in one or more of the important characteristics.
The Agricultural Experiment Station at Purdue University' maintains a coordinated research program for breeding new varieties and for the evaluation of the new and older varieties at a number of locations in Indiana. New varieties from other experiment stations are also evaluated for their adaptation to Indiana conditions several years before they are distributed to farmers. Performance records are available for nearly every variety' which may be offered for sale in Indiana.
ANNUAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Experimental results are summarized and reviewed annually to select the outstanding varieties for recommendation the following year. The appearance of superior new varieties and altered disease hazards present an ever changing problem.
Varieties which have been outstanding in production, quality and resistance to disease or weather hazards in a region are recommended. The experimental results indicate that these are the best varieties available to farmers. Varieties which have yielded well but are somewhat deficient in one or more other characters are listed as acceptable. We believe that there is an advantage in growing the recommended varieties, but specific characteristics of an acceptable variety may make its production desirable under special local conditions. Varieties are classed as unsuitable if their quality or other characteristics make them objectionable for commercial use or hazardous for production. In addition, other varieties are listed which have been tested but have not performed as well as the recommended and acceptable varieties.
Production of foundation, registered and certified seed of recommended varieties is promoted to assure farmers of a supply of good pure seed. Acceptable varieties are also eligible for certification.
SPRING OAT VARIETIES
Spring oats are the most heat tolerant of the different spring grains and are thus the only spring grain crop generally recommended in Indiana. The effect of hot weather is a major factor in determining the adaptation
of varieties. The farther south the region, the earlier and more heat tolerant must be the variety. Yielding ability, strength of straw, grain quality and resistance to disease—particularly crown rust—are important considerations in choosing a variety.
CLINTON 59: Medium early, very stiff-strawed medium short variety producing yellow grain of high test weight and high groats or meat percentage. High yielding in northern Indiana. Resistant to Indiana smut races and race 8 and related races of stem rust; susceptible to race 7 and related races of stem rust and to common races of crown rust. Clinton oats have the stiffest straw of any variety now available. Distributed by the Purdue Agricultural Experiment Station in 1948 as a more uniform selection from Clinton. Clinton 59 is recommended for Indiana north of U. S. highway 40 and is particularly recommended for heavier soils where its medium short, very stiff straw is an advantage. It is considered acceptable for southern Indiana where it has not yielded as well as in the north.
BENTON: Medium early, stiff-strawed, medium tall variety producing yellow grain of extra high test weight and extra high groats or meat percentage. High yielding in northern Indiana. Resistant to Indiana smut races and to race 8 and related races of stem rust; susceptible to race 7 and related races of stem rust and to common races of crown rust. Distributed jointly by the Iowa and Purdue Agricultural Experiment Stations in 1946. Benton is recommended for Indiana north of U. S. highway 40
Knox, a new, medium short, early maturing wheat in the center beside a taller variety. Knox is recommended for all of Indiana.
1 Prepared by the Small Grain Improvement Coordinating Committee consisting of R. M. Caldwell, Chairman, K. E. Beeson, L. E. Compton, H. R. Lathrope, R. R. Mulvey, J. E. Newman, F. L. Patterson and J. F. Schafer and approved by the Director.
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