Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Managing risks of soft red winter wheat production: evaluation of spring freeze damage and harvest date to improve grain quality

Alt, Douglas S, Alt

Abstract Details

2018, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Horticulture and Crop Science.
Commonly ground into flour, wheat is a staple crop in many civilizations around the world. In Ohio, soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production supports a multi-million dollar wheat industry; however, low wheat prices and high production risks are reducing the number of harvested acres in the state. Identifying tools and information to better manage the risks could improve production and increase profit. Three separate experiments in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 were conducted in Ohio to evaluate the effects of spring freeze events, Fusarium head blight (FHB), and harvest timing on soft red winter wheat production. In the first study, field-acclimated wheat plants were collected at Feekes 6, 8, and 10.5.1 growth stages from Pickaway County and Wood County field locations, and then subjected to freeze treatments ranging from 4°C to -16°C, specific to each growth stage. Treatments were applied using a freeze chamber that decreased temperature by 2°C h-1 with a 15 min treatment duration. Plant survivability, grain yield, and straw yield were reduced by 50% at -12.4, -12.1, and -12.9°C, respectively, at Feekes 6 and -6.7, -7.2, and -7.4°C, respectively, at Feekes 8. At Feekes 10.5.1, grain yield was reduced by 50% at -4.9°C. Chlorophyll fluorescence, visual ratings, and fractional green canopy cover were used to measure freeze damage. Both chlorophyll fluorescence and fractional green canopy cover accurately estimated relative seed weight, but chlorophyll fluorescence can be measured 6 days earlier than fractional green canopy cover. Visual ratings over-estimated effects of freeze damage on relative seed weight. A second study was conducted in Clark County where three wheat cultivars ranging in FHB resistance were harvested early at a high grain moisture (>19%) then 5 to 7 d later at a regular harvest moisture (near 13%) to evaluate the effect on grain test weight, yield, Fusarium damaged kernels, and deoxynivalenol (DON). In 2016/2017, test weight and yield increased by harvesting early, while in 2017/2018, DON was higher at the early harvest date. A third study was conducted in Clark County and Wood County (only in 2017/2018) where four wheat cultivars ranging in maturity were harvested early, at a high grain moisture (>19%) and 5 to 7 d later at a regular harvest moisture (near 13%) to evaluate harvest effects on grain quality, yield, and profit. Harvesting early at a high moisture increased yield in 2016/2017, but test weight was higher at the regular harvest date at all site-years. All site-years received precipitation between harvest dates, but grain moistures were still high during the precipitation, so no significant rewetting occurred. High drying costs and low-test weight discounts at the early harvest date significantly reduced gross profit. In conclusion, the updated low-temperature guidelines and the use of chlorophyll fluorescence to estimate freeze damage can more accurately predict crop value following a freeze event, leaving producers more informed to manage the crop. However, harvesting early improved grain yield and quality in some years while early harvest treatments reduced gross profit at all site-years
Laura Lindsey (Advisor)
Piere Paul (Committee Member)
Alex Lindsey (Committee Member)
Mark Sulc (Committee Member)
219 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Alt, Alt, D. S. (2018). Managing risks of soft red winter wheat production: evaluation of spring freeze damage and harvest date to improve grain quality [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu15427871791186

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Alt, Alt, Douglas. Managing risks of soft red winter wheat production: evaluation of spring freeze damage and harvest date to improve grain quality. 2018. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu15427871791186.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Alt, Alt, Douglas. "Managing risks of soft red winter wheat production: evaluation of spring freeze damage and harvest date to improve grain quality." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu15427871791186

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)