Author(s)

Shana M. Forster^1*, Joel K. Ransom², Frank A. Manthey², John R. Rickertsen³, Grant H. Mehring²

¹North Central Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Minot, ND, USA.
²Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA.
³Hettinger Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Hettinger, ND, USA.

Durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) is a market class of wheat subject to price discounts in the marketplace if quality standards are not met. This study was conducted in order to determine how certain agronomic practices might impact durum wheat quality. The effects of planting date (PD), cultivar, and seeding rate on agronomic and semolina quality traits were investigated in field trials conducted near Hettinger and Minot, ND in 2014 and 2015. The interaction of PD and cultivar was significant for many of the traits evaluated. There was a significant PD X cultivar interaction or PD and cultivar effect for yield in all environments. Planting date X cultivar interacted for test weight at all environments. In general, a delay in PD resulted in a significant decrease in yield and test weight for all cultivars. However, Carpio yielded more than other cultivars in high yielding environments while the yield and test weight of Joppa was more adversely affected by delays in PD. Seeding rate did not have a consistent effect on any agronomic or quality trait. Protein content, kernel yellow pigment content, falling number (FN), and vitreous kernels were more dependent on cultivar, regardless of PD and environment. Semolina extraction, gluten index (GI), and wet gluten (WG) values tended to decrease with a delay in PD. These data continue to support cultivar selection as a critical component for obtaining high-yielding, high-quality durum wheat. However, PD and environment can impact certain agronomic and end-use traits, regardless of cultivar grown.

Durum Wheat, Durum Quality, Planting Date, Seeding Rate, Semolina, Grain Protein

Forster, S. , Ransom, J. , Manthey, F. , Rickertsen, J. and Mehring, G. (2017) Planting Date, Seeding Rate, and Cultivar Impact Agronomic Traits and Semolina of Durum Wheat. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 8, 2040-2055. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2017.89137.