Enhancing Protein Concentration in Hard Red Spring Wheat with Nitrogen Management Based on Plant Predictors

Abstract

In recent years (2009-2011) many producers have had issues meeting the market requirements of 140 g kg-1 of protein concentration in hard red spring wheat (HRSW) (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell) especially with newer cultivars that are genetically prone to producing lower grain protein concentration. To address this issue, the first part of this study was to determine whether if plant based predictors could be used to predict grain protein content prior to anthesis. Experiments were conducted in 2011-2012 at Crookston, Minnesota (MN) and Prosper, North Dakota (ND). The second part of this study was to determine if protein concentration in HRSW can be enhanced with different sources and rates of N, while maintaining high yields and maximizing net returns. Experiments were conducted across three different locations in MN and ND in 2011-2012. Fertilizer treatments consisted of 3 sources of N, 4 growth stages, and 2 rates of N compared across three cultivars.