Abstract
Reducing the Wheat Yield Gap Through Variety-Specific Management
Highlights
Summary In Kansas, wheat yields have been nearly stagnant at approximately 40 bu/a for the past 30 years, which corresponds to a yield gap of approximately 35 bu/a relative to the state average yield potential of ~75 bu/a
We have expanded the test to a paired-plot design in three variety performance tests (VPT) locations (Ellsworth, Conway Springs, and McPherson, KS) in the 2016–2017 growing season, where one plot is managed under standard management practice (SM) based on current farmer’s practice of each region with no fungicide application and the adjacent plot with the same variety is enhanced with additional 40 lb of N/a and two fungicide applications hereafter referred to as intensive management (IM)
Our results indicate that selecting varieties with resistance to major fungal diseases can narrow the wheat yield gap in most years, reducing the need for additional fungicide
Summary
In Kansas, wheat yields have been nearly stagnant at approximately 40 bu/a for the past 30 years, which corresponds to a yield gap (i.e. difference between average producer yield and economical yield potential of the region) of approximately 35 bu/a relative to state average yield potential of ~75 bu/a. A few studies and yield contests have reported average yields of ~110 bu/a, suggesting even larger opportunities for yield improvements in this region during particular growing seasons. Studies evaluating variety-specific crop management are crucial to sustainably improve yield in different farming systems. A comprehensive characterization of varieties under a wide range of cropping systems will assist producers to select varieties best suited to their area, and narrow the yield gap in wheat production through variety selection and variety-specific agronomic management
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