~<--I-—-mqy-w»—--v-1w--w».7...-W-1,.__w..-.TWW,-v'..1.,-qw,-,w,_.t . .7,‘ . ,, . 14V . . TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION R. D. LEWIS, Director College Station, Texas BULLETIN NO. e91 SEPTEMBER 1947 Oat Production in Texas I. M. ATKINS and E. S. McFADDEN Department of Agronomy 4' <5 ML/BR» In cooperation with the Division of Cereal Crops and Diseases, Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils, and Agricultural Engineering, Agri- cultural Research Administration, U. S. Department of Agriculture. AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS GIBB GILCHRIST, President Jl3-1047-6M-L18O 1° ~ men-u mun » = . | n r A I _ w ¢¢¢¢ >- -, LKNIL y: 3000 \.‘?- n ¢ w ; Q u Q c a u c - ; u n u v rs carat c c cu a n|§bl - .l A ~ w Q _ - “ v u n ‘ \ | Q r n n vvvvv ur ,,,, w ;~tc- . , Q ~ : » \ II “QWEQY cccc = - Figure 3. Oat-growing regions of Texas with locations of‘ stations which oat experiments are conducted. and feed along the Gulf coast where precipitation often amounts as much as 5o inches per year. Also, in favorable spring seas they may be successfully grown in West Texas where the aver, annual precipitation is less than 2o inches. In order to be able toemore accurately designate the areas un discussion in this bulletin, the State has been arbitrarly divided if seven major subdivisions in Figure 3, representing seven ma” climatic conditions varying in their suitability and adaptation? between areas is not sharp, one area blending into the adjoin' area. The locations of the several experiment stationscooperat in the oat investigations herein reported are also shown. A very brief description ofthe areas and their suitability oat growing follows: ' 1. Panhandle-Plains warn-precipitation 18-22 inches; ele OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 7 tion 3,ooo-4,ooo feet; spring-sown oats grown extensively in years of favorable spring rainfall; fall-sown oats hazardous because of winter-killed. 2. Rolling Plains area—precipitation 24-28 inches; elevation 750-2,000 feet; more than half the area has sandy soils not well adapted to small grains; majority of oats fall-sown but subject to winter-killing; spring-sown acreage smaller, except when fall-sown oats are winter-killed. 5 3. Blacklanal and Grand Prairie areas——precipitation 30-40 linches; elevation 500-750 feet; majority of oats fall-sown, subject jto winter-killing occasionally; spring-sown acreage smaller, except when fall-sown oats are winter-killed. 4. Gulf Coast arezr-precipitation, 25-45 inches; elevation 50- 500 feet; only fall-sown oats grown, much of the acreage for graz- ing purposes only; crop subject to serious damage by rust. 5. Lower Ria Gramie Valley and Winter Garden areas——pre— cipitation 20-30 inches; elevation 50-500 feet; considerable areas 4under irrigation; majority of acreage used for grazing purposes Zonly; crop subject to serious rust damage. A 6. East Texas T amber area—precipitation 40-50 inches; only limited acreage grown, requires high applications of fertilizers for growing of oats on sandy-loam soils. 7. West Texas rane/liag area—small acreages planted for win- ter pasture, usually too dry for grain production. The most extensive acreages of oats are grown in the Central Texas Blackland area from Bell County northward to the Okla- homa state line, with the largest acreages in Tarrant, Denton and rayson Counties. A second area of intensive cultivation of oats is i Bosque, Hamilton ‘and Coryell counties. In this area (Region 3) he majority of the crop is fall-sown, except in seasons when win- erkilling occurs when a majority may be spring-sown. Farther uth in the State, fall seeding is universal; while to the west of entral Texas an increasingly larger proportion of the crop is pring-sown. In order to show the comparative productiveness of oats with Other feed crops at various locations in the State, the average pro- uction of these crops in bushels per acre, pounds per acre, and _g productive energy per acre are given in Table I for several ex- Iriment stations. In the final analysis, the value of a crop is not Aependent entirely upon the number of pounds or bushels per ire it produces but upon the amount of productive energy it , akes available to livestock from this feed. The productive energy, 8 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Table 1. Comparative production of five farm crops in bushels, pounds and productive energy per acre at experiment stations in Texas Grain sorghum Corn Barley Oats Wheat I Productive energy of each feed-therms per 100 lbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 84.8 84.8~ 74.4 70.5 78.8 Texas Substation No. 6, Denton, Texas Average yield, 14 years, 1929-1943, bushels 33.4 29.2 36.5 73.8 27.5 Average yield, 14 years, 1929-1943, pounds 1870 1635 1752 2362 1650 Productive energy per acre-therms . . . . . . . . 1586 1386 1303 1665 1300 Texas Substation No. 5, Temple, Texas . Average yield, 6 years, 1938-1943, bushels. 18.2 37.1 23.8 47.6 18.6 Average yield, 6 years, 1938-1943, pounds. 1019 2078 1142 1523 1116 Productive energy per acre-therms . . . . . . . . 864 1762 850 1074 879 U. S. Cotton Field Station, Greenville, Texas i Average yield, 6 years, 1938-1943, bushels. 28.1 19.6 26.9 42.9 20.7 Average yield, 6 years, 1938,1943, pounds. 1574 1098 1291 1373 1242 Productive energy per acre-therms . . . . . . . . 1335 931 961 968 979 Texas Substation No. 16, Iowa Park, Texas . Average yield, 9 years, 1932-1943, bushels. 25.0 8.4 35.7 68.2 26.1 Average yield, 9 years, 1932-1943, pounds. 1400 470 1714 2182 1566 Productive energy per acre-therms . . . . . . . . 1187 399 1275 1538 1234 Texas Substation No. 12, Chillicothe, Texas Average yield, 5 years, 1938-1943, bushels. 21.2 15.8* 27.5 30.9* 22.0 Average yield, 5 years, 1938-1943, pounds. 1187 885 1320 989 1320 Productive energy per acre-therms . . . . . . . . 1007 783 982 697 1040 *10-year average yield of fall sown oats at U. S. Dry Land Field Station, Lawton, Oklahoma. on an acre basis, was computed by multiplying the yield in pounds ‘i per acre by the value of this grain in terms of productive energyi per 100 pounds as reported in Texas Agricultural Experiment Sta-i tion Bulletin No. 461, “The Composition and Utilization of Texasj Feeding Stuffs.” i In the more intensive oat-growing area, Region 3 of Central: Texas, represented by the experiment stations at Denton and Greenf ville on the north and by the station at Temple on the south, oats’; rank either first or second in pounds of feed and productive energy; produced per acre. At Denton, oats produced more pounds of feed}? per acre than any other crop. At Greenville, grain sorghum leads? oats slightly in productive energy per acre; while at Temple, corn? is slightly more productive than oats. In the Rolling Plains areai grain sorghum is the major feedcrop, with oats a close second. At‘ Chillicothe, which is representative of this area, oats have been un-q der test only a short time, but at the U. S. Dry Land Field Station, Lawton, Okla., which is located just north of Chillicothe in a sim~ ilar soil and climatic area, Red Rustproof oats averaged 30.9 bush- els per acre for the 10-year period 1931-40, inclusive. This average yield is used for comparison with other crops for the Chillicothe area and indicates that oats are less productive than the other feed OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 9 ‘crops for this area. At the Iowa Park station, where all crops are irrigated, oats produced more feed per acre than any other crop. No adequate comparisons can be made in South Texas. Uses of the Oat Crop Nearly all oats grown in Texas are utilized as feed for livestock .within the State. Only in seasons of very high production or of i crop failures in nearby states, are oats shipped out of the State ex- tensively. The vast areas of the State devoted to. ranching, where climate or soils are not suitable for the growth of sufficient feed crops to maintain the livestock through the winter, provide a good market for any surplus oats produced in other areas. Oats have long been known as a desirable feed for breeding stock of all kinds. The analyses of oats and several other feed grains in Texas, as reported in Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin No. 46x, “The Composition and Utilization of Texas Feeding Stuffs,” is given in Table 2. From this table it will be seen that oats do not compete with corn, barley or grain sorghum in the fattening ration, but are unsurpassed as a balanced food for growing stock or the breeding herd. The very high value of small grains as a source of winter pas- ture in Texas has only recently been fully recognized. The possi- bilities of further extending the periods of grazing through the use of varieties especially adapted to grazing at particular periods has not been adequately explored. Oats are a favorite crop for win- ter pasture because they produce high yields of a succulent, pala- table, high protein food. Controlled grazing is also beneficial dur- ing many seasons because it reduces the succulent top growth, hereby reducing the chances of winter-killing. Comparative tests ‘f the value of wheat, oats, barley and rye grass for winter pas- Table 2. Analysis of some Texas grown feeds Produc- Y No. of Percent Ether Crude Nitro- Digest- tive i Crop tests protein extract fiber gen-free Water Ash able energy extract protein per 100 lbs. » . . . . .. 105 10.4 4.4 2.3 72.5 9.1 1.3 6.4 84.8 . 336 12.0 2.1 6.3 67.5 9.3 2.8 9.6 74.4 0 . . . . .. 652 11.1 2.9 2.5 70.9 10.7 1.9 8.1 84.8 , dOats.. 469 11.4 4.9 12.8_ 58.6 8.6 3.7 8.9 70.5 eat..... 14 14.0 1.7 3.0 69.4 10.0 1.9 11.3 78.8 10 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AQRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION and Rye Grass for Winter Pasture.” It was found that oats a barley grew more rapidly in the fall, thus producing the quicki fall grazing and the greatest tonnage of forage. Wheat and made slower fall growth but were better suited to Winter and spring grazing. The grain yield of oats and barley was injured mo by late spring grazing than was that of rye or wheat. l Recent studies of the pasture and forage value of new rust-resis ant oat varieties made at Beeville, Winter Haven andlWesla show that in South Texas the varying growth habits of the sprin type and winter-type oat varieties may be utilized to good advc tage to give prolonged periods of grazing or high yields of foraii These studies. are reported in Texas Agricultural Experiment S tion Progress Reports No. 903 and 95o. At Beeville, Ranger o! planted September 22, I943, furnished a long period of grazi during the winter, producing 2.3 tons of dry matter per acre. U’ der field conditions, 3 acres of Rustler oats produced a total of unit days of grazing per acre from December 18v to February I‘ having a total value of $8.7 5 per acre. Tests at Winter Haven du ing the 1944 and I945 seasons showed that fall-sown, rust-resi ant, spring-type varieties, such as Vicland and Boone, are of speci value for fall and early winter grazing. These spring-type vari ties, owing to their rapid early growth, furnish abundant earl fall pasture while later maturing varieties, such as DeSoto, Flor‘ lee, Ranger and the Red Rustproof strains, may be used to produ, later grazing. Combination plantings of the two types may furth, supplement the temporary pasture for that area. i L - Oats alone, or in mixtures with sweet clover or other legume make valuable h-ay. Oat straw is superior to wheat or barley stra as a roughage for livestock. Oats may be used either as a greed‘ manure crop or as a cover crop to protect the land from erosion dui ing the winter months. ln recent years, oats have beenused exte l sively as a companion crop for sweet clover, especially the bienni” varieties. Culture of Oats The cultural operations for oats are similar to those required other small grains and are familiar to most farmers, therefore, on a few suggestions regarding culture will be made. The best yiel are obtained when well-adapted varieties are used and the crop I‘: grown onfertile, well-drained soil, following good seedbed pre‘ aration. i i’ OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 11 Place in The Rotation Oats may follow nearly any crop in themore intensive oat-grow- ing areas of Central Texas, although the most common sequence is for oats t0 follow corn 0r cotton. Corn usually matures sufficiently- early to allow a good seedbed to be prepared for fall-sown oats. Cotton land provides ‘an inexpensive, almost ideal seedbed for grain. Occasionally when cotton picking is delayed, seeding of the fall 1 oat crop must be delayed beyond the optimum time. Volunteer grain and annual weed grasses such as false wild oats and cheat often give trouble if oats follow other small grains in the rotation. If such a sequence is necessary, this difficulty may be overcome by delaying planting until spring-Oats should not follow sorghum crops in Central Texas. The residue of a sorghum crop decays» slowly during the winter months. Any crop planted on this land iduring this time will suffer from lack of available nitrogen. This is a temporary effect which is especially apparent in the growth of "fall-sown grain crops. Spring-planted crops such as cotton or sum- mer legumes may be used with less reduction in yield providing the residues are turned under early in the fall. This deleterious effect 1f sorghum is much less important in the western part of the State. A combination of spring-sown oats and Madrid biennial sweet- ’ lover has been found to be a desirable sequence in 3-year and 4- "gure 4. Sweet clover growing alone and in combination with spring- j sown oats as a companion crop at Denton, Texas. sweet clover. Planting of the sweet clover should be a separate 12 . BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION year rotations at the Denton station. In such rotations oats are seed. ed in January or early February, then overseeded immediately wit eration since it requires shallower planting than the oats. The plant, ing may be made in 3-foot rows, 18-inch rows or drilled in th usual manner.‘ Where the clover is planted in 3-foot rows it ma becultivated after oat harvest to kill weeds. After the oats are har vested for grain, the clover may produce considerable hay or pa ture the first season and either hay or a seed crop or combinatio of the two the second year. Hubam, the annual sweet clover, .f been used successfully as a fall-sown crop in combination with fall, sown oats in the southern half of Region 3 and in Region 4 in cent years. In Figure 4 is shown the first year’s growth of Madr“ sweet clover when planted alone and in combination with sprin sown oats as a companion crop. i? Oats are grown extensively in Region I of West Texas only seasons when spring moisture conditions are favorable. With ti development of more hardy strains now in prospect, it may be p0 sible to seed larger acreages in the fall. Under such conditions, mo attention will need to be given to good seedbed preparation an crop squence. Seedbed Preparation Seedbeds for oats following corn are usually prepared by shallot, plowing ‘with the one-way plow, followed by harrowing or su_ other preparations as are necessary to prepare a good, firm seedb For oats which follow cotton, the land is usually not plowed but l worked down to a level seedbed with a disc-harrow, spring-too harrow, spike-tooth harrow, or spring-tooth field cultivaton-As co, ton land is usually free of weeds, the only preparation necessary j to level the ground to permit uniform drilling. A good seedbed i‘ cotton-stalk land made by cultivating with a spring-tooth field c __ tivator followed by a spike-tooth harrow is shown in Figure 5, whf, in Figure 6, oats are being drilled on this same seedbed. The cott stalks are cut early in the spring. Because of the danger of soil blowing, seedbeds intended f spring-sown oats in Region I of West Texas should be left as rou as possible through the winter months. This will also aid in retai ing snow or other winter moisture. The seedbed may be work down just previous to planting. Fallow provides a favorable - bed for oats, but, owning to the low cash value of the crop compari with wheat, oats are seldom planted on fallow. Where oats foll grain sorghum, the sorghum stubble should be plowed sufiicien OAT PRODUCTHDJIN TEXAS M,‘wv-vwww-flwr-wwwmnwwmflmmwvaway-my»-w» 1- ~ - I Figure 5. Seedbed for oats prepared in cotton stalks by a spring-tooth cultivator followed by a harrow. Figure 6. Drilling fall-sown oats in a seedbed prepare-d in cotton stalks. The cotton stalks provide- some protection during the winter and are cut before spring growth starts. 13 14 BULLETIN NU. 691, TIQAAS‘ AUIHUULIUICAL ISABEICLMIhNI Siz-xuuiv early to permit weathering and the preparation of a good seedfi Seedbeds for fall-sown oats in this region should be prepared carefully as those for wheat. i" a Rate and Date of Seeding Oats should be drilled rather than broadcast in order to insure uniform rate and depth of seeding. The rate and date of seedirf varies considerably within any region depending upon weather‘ c ditions and the needs of the individual grower. Approximate op, mum dates and rates of seeding, based on experiments and prevf ing farm practices, are given below. Earlier seedings are of i justified if fall pasture is needed. Late fall seedings and spril seedings should usually be planted at higher rates than nor date fall seedings. The rate of seeding should be higher on 1 fertile soils than on fertile soils since the plants tiller less. Optimum planting date Optimum planting rate? Spring Fall Spring . Fall p Region 1 . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 1 Sept. 15 56 lbs. 48 lbs. Region 2 . . . . . . . . . .. Feb. 1 Oct. 1 72 64 i, Region Jan. 15 Oct. 15 96 72 Region 4 . . . . . . . . . .. * Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . .. ' 72 Region 5 . . . . . . . * . Nov. 15 . . . . . .. 72» . Region 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . Very few oats grown . . . . . ; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Region 7 . . . . . . . . . . . Very few oats grown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Not recommended Harvesting and Threshing Until recently, practically all oats in. Central Texas were vested with a binder and threshed with _the usual custom. thresh; This method, though more expensive than direct combine harves ing, has several advantages in this area. May, when most fall-so, oats are harvested, has the highest. average precipitation of .L month, which often results in unfavorable conditions for combi’ ing. By using a binder, the crop can be harvested before it is ripe while the crop is standing erect and the grain still contai considerable moisture. The grain may then be threshed at a lat date when conditions are more favorable. This usually results if better quality grain and the straw may be saved for feed or w“ ding- The disadvantagespof this. method include higher cost of vesting, later tillage of the land and longer exposure of the cr OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 15 t0 weather conditions during extended periods unfavorable to threshing. A field of New Nortex oats in the shock ready for thresh- sing is shown in Figure I, on the front cover. Combine harvesting of oats and other small grain has been com- mon in the Texas Panhandle (Region I) for many years, and has been common in the Rolling Plains area (Region 2) for a somewhat shorter period. With the introduction of the small combine har- vester-thresher suitable for the average farm of Central Texas, this method of harvesting has rapidly increased in this area. Oats are not as well adapted to direct combine harvesting as other small grains because the straw is weak and the crop breaks over soon after i aturity. When extended periods of wet weather occur near har- vest time, serious losses from shattering and lodging may result. The use of erect, stiff-strawed varieties such as Fultex and Victor- grain is of distinct advantage under many‘ conditions, but, if these varieties are forced to stand in the field for prolonged periods, seri- ilous shattering losses may result. In the Rolling Plains area where weather conditions are more favorable at harvest time, these varie-. ties have proved well adapted. Even though varieties break over, they can usuallybe harvested with a small combine, although the cost of harvesting is increased because of the necessity of cutting Figure 7. Direct combine-harvesting of severely broken-down or lodged oats. Under such conditions the cost of harvesting is increased but most grain can be recovered. Some‘ loss from shattering and cutting off of heads occurs. 16 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Figure 8. Windrowing of oats with an ordinary binder from which the tying mechanism has been removed. Figure 9. Threshing oatsfrom the Windrow, using a small combine with a pick-up attachment. OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 17 very low and running all the straw through the machine. When such severe cases of lodging occur, some grain is cut off by the sickle and 10st and some shattering occurs. A field of oats which has broken over but is being harvested with only moderate loss of grain is shown in Figure 7. a Another method of harvesting, which has been found practicable ’ by some growers, is that of windrowing or swathing the crop, then threshing a few days later with a combine having a pick-up attach- ment. This method is especially suitable on land infested with Johnson grass or other weeds. As with the binder and custom thresh- er, this increases the cost of harvesting. The windrowing or swath- ing can be done with regular machinery made for this purpose, or, if that is not available, it can be done with an ordinary binder by removing ‘the tying mechanism. The oats will pass through the binder and out in a continuous swath which can then be threshed with the combine using a pick-up attachment. Caution should be exercised that the swath is small enough to be handled by the com- fbine used. For example, a 5-foot combine often cannot handle the rank grain cut by an 8-foot binder, therefore, the width of grain cut should be adjusted as necessary. Oats in the swath may be seri- p. ously damaged during extended periods of wet weather. Windrow- s ing of oats with an ordinary binder is shown in Figure 8, while in Figure 9 the grain in this same field is being threshed with a com- i: bine using a pick-up attachment. When harvesting with a combine, great care is necessary to see that the grain is fully ripe and of low moisture content. Oats with high ,moisture content heat rapidly if stored in large quantities in tight bins. Viability of the seed may be reduced greatly if oats heat in storage. If oats of high moisture content must be stored, they should a be stored in small piles and stirred frequently for several days or some provision made for artificial drying. The placing of .burlap “sacks filled with straw at intervals throughout the bin to provide ventilation and absorb moisture is suggested as an aid in drying out grain of high moisture content. Varieties of Oats Most oat varieties grown commercially in Texas at present be- 5 long to the red oat group (Ar/em; byzantina). They are divided i into three types: the early maturing Fulghum type, the midseason Red Rustproof type, and the late maturing Fulghum (winter type). ; By far the largest acreage is seeded to the Red Rustproof type jfoats. The varieties of yellow or white common oats (A vema sativa), 18 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION grown in the major oat-producing states of the Corn Belt, are poor- ly adapted to Texas conditions because they are not sufficiently hardy to survive when fall-sown in most of the State and, when spring-sown, encounter hot weather at maturity. Some of the recent- ly developed disease-resistant varieties of this type may be valuable as supplementary pasture crops in extreme South Texas. Some promising white kernel strains have recently been developed in Texas from crosses of adapted varieties and disease-resistant com- mon oats, but none is yet available commercially. The winter-hardy varieties, Hairy Culberson, Curtis, Lee, Winter Turf, Wintok and the Fulghum (winter type) strains Fulwin, Ten- nex and Forkedeer are so highly susceptible to crown (leaf) rust and stem rust that they cannot be generally recommended in Texas. Recently developed rust-resistant strains selected from crosses on these hardy varieties give promise of hardy disease-resistant varie- ties in the near future. Brief descriptive notes of the more impor- v tant commercial types and varieties follow. Red Rustproof Types The original Red Rustproof oats were introduced into the United States from the Mediterranean region of northern Africa many years ago, but the recorded history is inadequate. The best infor- mation available indicates that Red Rustproof oats were brought to Texas about 1875. Because they were more rust-resistant and" bet- ter adapted than the Winter Turf oats, and more heat tolerant than ._ the common white oats then grown in Texas, they found immedi- ate favor. They soon became the dominant variety and have con- tinued in that place to the present. They became known as Texas Red Rustproof oats because large quantities were shipped from Texas to the Southeastern States to supply seed needs of farmers of that area who grew them for feed. In that area, the oats were fed in the sheaf as no threshing facilities were available and the farmers depended on buying new seed from Texas each year. Sher- man, Texas, became the center of this seed business which thrived for many years.* Red Rustproof oats have been grown in Texas under many strain names, among the better known being Texas Red, Bancroft, Appler Rustproof, McReynolds Rustproof, and in more recent years under . the named improved strains Nortex, New Nortex, Ferguson 71 and ' Ferguson 922. Additional localized names have been given strains *Taken from the 1904 Texas Almanac published by the A. H. Belo Cor- poration, Dallas, Texas. 41.. ,__ i z OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS , 19 selected in other states, among the more recent being Delta Red in Mississippi. All these strains are similar in most plant and grain characteristics and, in most instances, originated as either mass 0r pure-line selections. Although moderately tolerant t0 crown rust, A the name Red Rustproof is misleading since serious losses occur during rust epidemics. Owing to the tolerance or “late rusting” characteristic of Red Rustproof oats, they are usually injured less than most susceptible varieties. [Vortex am! New Nortex: These strains were developed in the small grain breeding program at the Denton station. Both originated as pure-line selections from Red Rustproof type oats. Nortex was se- lected from a lot of Texas Red Rustproof oats purchased from a farmer near Krum, Texas, in 1914. More than 1,000 head selections were made from this and other lots 0f seed. After extensive test- ing from 1921 to 1926, Nortex was distributed to farmers in 1926. As compared with the original lot of seed from which it was select- ed, Nortex is more uniform in plant characters, more productive, and from spring seeding is often earlier in maturity. New Nortex was selected in 1919 from Appler Rustproof oats that had been obtained from a farmer near Krum, Texas, in 1914. The original Appler Rustproof oats originated in Georgia many years ago on the farm of a Mr. Appler for whom the strain was named. New Nortex is slightly rnore winter-hardy than Nortex, often taller, and from spring seeding is often later in maturity. The grain of the two strains is indistinguishable, being typical of Red Rustproof with long, slender kernels of light red color with a large proportion Iof husk and moderately heavy, non-twisted awns on both kernels of ‘the spikelet. Tests subsequent to the distribution of Nortex, proved that. New Nortex was consistently higher yielding, therefore, it was distributed to" farmers in 1936. Distribution of Nortex has been discontinued. Acreages 0f the two varieties constitute the majority of oats in Central Texas as few other varieties were distributed in the State until recent years. They are probably the most extensively ‘grown varieties of Red Rustproof oats as, in addition to the Texas iacreage, large acreages are grown in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missis- sippi and’ Alabama. Ferguson 1V0. 71 and 1V0. 922: These strains, the former dis- tributed from I916 to 1926 and the latter from ‘1926 to the present time, were developed as pure-line selections from Texas Red Rust- proof oats by the A. M. Ferguson Seed Farms, Howe, Texas, for- merly of Sherman, Texas. According to A. M. Ferguson: “Ours was the first effort to ever attempt to develop a pedigree selection of the thousands of forms of what was called the Texas 20 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Red oat. During some 2o years, we made over ten thousand stooled selections and possibly planted as many rows in head to row tests. This work began about the turn of the century. After about 9 years’ testing we selected No. 371 for propagation and it was in- troduced in 1916 as Ferguson 71 oats.” _ Both Ferguson No. 71 and No. 922 are typical Red Rustproof oats of superior yielding ability and were important advances in j uniformity and yield over the mixed stocks then grown commer- cially. Ferguson No. 71 oats were once extensively grown in Texas_ and their successor, Ferguson No. 922 oats, now occupies consider-i ableacreages in Texas, Arkansas and other Southern States. i Ranger and Rustler: These two varieties are sister selections ~- from a cross of Nortex with Victoria, a crown (leaf) rust and smut- i resistant red oat introduced from South America. These varieties j'_ were developed cooperatively by the Texas Agricultural Experiment A Station and the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The cross made at Arlington Farm, Va., in 1930, and bulk hybrid seed sentf to a number of southern agricultural experiment stations. Many selections were tested at all substations in Southern Texas, and 2‘ superior strains were named and distributed to farmers in 1941.. Ranger and Rustler are similar to Nortex in many plant and grain characters but are resistant to crown (leaf) rust and to. smut. Rus-l tler is shorter in stature than Ranger and earlier in maturity un-f der most conditions. Both varieties are superior to Nortex in test weight, but both are less winter-hardy, hence they cannot be rec- ommended for fall seeding in the northern part of the State. In Region 4, they produced yields much superior to the older Red Rustproof strains until 1945 when they were seriously damaged by the new Helminthosporium blight disease. Because of their resist- ance to crown rust, they have been of special value for winter graz- ing in South Texas. Both varieties are highly susceptible to stem‘ rust. Verde: This variety was distributed to fill a special need in South Texas for a variety suitable for grazing and for clipping to. produce dehydrated cereal forage for livestock and poultry feed. Verde was developed cooperatively by the Texas Agricultural Ex- periment Station and the U. S. Department of Agriculture from a cross of Texas Red Rustproof and Selection 5542-1 of Victoria- Richland, the first generation of which was backcrossed to Texas! Red Rustproof. Verde is similar to Red Rustproof in many plan’ characters but has more slender grain and is resistant to cro (leaf) rust, to smut and to some races of stem rust. It is adapte. to only a small area in extreme South Texas because of its lack 0 cold resistance. OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 21 Alber: This variety was introduced from South America by the U. S. Department of Agriculture and, after testing, was dis- . tributed in Louisiana by the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment I Station. It is classed as a Red Rustproof type oat but differs in sev- feral characteristics, among which are lack of cold resistance and moderate resistance to crown (leaf) rust. It is adapted to fall-seed- ‘A ing only in Regions 4 and 5. I I Camellia: This variety was developed cooperatively by the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station and the U. S. Depart- ment of AgriculturejIt was selected from a cross of Bond, a varie- ty of red oats introduced from Australia, and Alber, described above. Camellia has large, plump, red kernels; erect, vigorous ear- ‘ly plant growth; and is highly resistant to nearly all the races of crown (leaf) rust and to Helminthosporium blight, but, it is highly jzsusceptible to stem rust. Because of its lack of winter-hardiness, it ‘A should not be fall-seeded except in Regions 4 and 5 of South Texas. Fulghum Types The original Fulghum oat was selected from Red Rustproof by A. Fulghum, a farmer of Warrenton, Georgia. This occurred before I900. It was increased by Mr. Fulghum and seed sold to neighbors. It is not known when it was brought to Texas, but‘ it has 1- grown here many years. At one time the area devoted to Ful- hum oats was rather extensive. Fulghum oats have been grown Lnder the trade and strain names of Fulghum, Early Red Rust- roof, Nicholson Improved Extra Early, Coker Fulghum, Frazier nd Kanota. In general, the Fulghum strains differ from the Red ustproof strains in being from IO to I4 days earlier in maturity ._ d in producing grain with fewer awns and higher test weight. 3-‘ ll strains of Fulghum are highly susceptible to the rusts and smuts revalent in the State. i! , In Figure IO are shown panicles and kernels of several varieties f oats representing the commercial types grown in the State. Rep- psentative grain samples of a few of the more important commer- ial varieties are shown in Figure 11. Frazier." This strain of Fulghum was named for Tom Frazier of ort Worth, Texas, from whom it was obtained in 1912. Numerous lure-line selections were made from the mass lot of seed. One of hese strains was increased and distributed to farmers in 1926 by vie Denton station, being recommended for spring seeding. Later ests proved that Frazier is less productive even from spring-seed- g than the better Red Rustproof strains, hence, its distribution 22 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Figure 10. Panicles and grain of some oat varieties grown in Texas. Upper row from left to right: New Nortex as representative 0f Red Rustproof strains, Fulghum, Frazier, Fultex and Victorgrain. Lower row from left to right: Stanton, De- Soto, Wintok and Fulwin. has been discontinued. Occasionally when earliness permits the escape of disease or other hazards, Frazier produces high yields. The present acreage of this variety is very small. Frazier is similar to Fulghum, except that a larger proportion of the kernels develop awns. Kanam: This variety has probably’ been the most widely and extensively grown Fulghum strain. The variety was named and dis- tributed by the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station in 1926. having originated as a mass selection from Fulghum. It has been grown extensively in the Midwestern States from Illinois west-- ward to Colorado, and in California. It is grown in the Texas Pan-' handle from spring seeding. Kanota is typical of the Fulghum va- riety. Both Kanota and Frazier are less winter-hardy’ than Red Rust- proof strains, and Kanota is apparently less hardy than Frazier. Fulton: This variety was developed cooperatively by the Kan- sas Agricultural Experiment Station and the U. S. Department of”. Agriculture. It was selected from a cross between Fulghum and Markton, a common white oat variety resistant to smut. As com- pared with Fulghum, Fulton is earlier in maturity; has a larger, r ‘ imaimnilmmmarnoimusmsmmm‘ -* ..i......v.».-i.... . OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 23 more spreading panicle, a weaker straw, and is resistant t0 many races of smut. It is lacking in winter-hardiness and should not be fall-sown in Texas. Although it has not been tested extensively, it appears satisfactory and is being grown to some extent com- mercially from spring-seeding in the Texas Panhandle. Fultex; This variety was developed cooperatively by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and the U. S. Department of Agriculture from a cross between Fulghum and Victoria, a red oat introduced from South America. It was distributed to farmers in I939. Fultex, though considered a Fulghum type, is considerably different from Fulghum in grain and plant characters. It matures about 5 days la.ter than Fulghum but about 5 days earlier than Nortex. The seedling growth of Fultex is erect and the leaves broad. Plants tiller less than Red Rustproof oats and produce short, strongY-strawed plants. The grain is dark red in color with a small black awn which breaks off easily in threshing. The variety is re- sistant to crown (leaf) rust and to most races of smut, but, is very susceptible to stern rust and to the new Helminthospo-rium blight Figure 11. Grain of the more important oat varieties grown in Texas. Upper left: New Nortex as representative of the Red Rust- proof strains; upper right: Frazier; lower left, Fultex; and lower right, Victorgrain. '24 ' BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION fdisease. The variety is well suited to direct combine-harvesting be- cause of its strong straw, but, under some conditions, the grain may shatter. Fultex now occupies a considerable acreage in the Rolling Plains area (Region2) where it has been a consistently high yield- er. In Central Texas, it has averaged lower in yield from fall-seed- ing than the old standard strains of Texas Red Rustproof, but higher from spring seeding. Fultex oats are shown in Figure I2 in comparison with the early maturing Frazier at the left and the later maturing Nortex at the right. Victorgrain: This variety was developed and distributed by the Coker’s Pedigreed Seed Company, Hartsville, S. C. The variety was developed from a cross of Fulgrain and Victoria. The original Fulgrain variety was developed from a cross of Norton and Na- varro. Victorgrain is somewhat similar to Fultex in general plant characters. It is resistant to crown (leaf) rust and to smut, and has strong straw that makes the variety suitable for combine harvest- ing. The grain is larger than that of Fultex, of light red to grayish white in color, and with either a small awn or no awn on the ker- nels. Victorgrain appears to have no advantage over Fultex for Texas conditions and only a small acreage is. grown. Osage, N eosho and Ventzmz: These are new varieties of spring- type red oats which are resistant to crown (leaf) rust and stem I 1 Figure 12. Fultex oats (center) growing in experimental variety test plots at the Denton station in 1939. Compare with early maturing variety Frazier (left) and Nortex (right). OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 25 rust. They were developed cooperatively by the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Kansas, Iowa and Idaho Agricultural Ex- periment Stations. Osage and Ventura are sister selections made from a cross of Victoria-Richland x Fulton. Neosho was selected from a cross of Fulghum-Markton x Victoria-Richland. Osage and Neosho are being distributed by the Kansas Agricultural Ex- periment Station and Ventura by the California Agricultural Ex- periment Station. These new varieties have not yet been adequate- ly tested in the State, but it appears that none is sufficiently hardy to be fall-sown. They may have value as a spring-seeded oat. Miscellaneous Winter-hardy Types Fulwin and Tennex are winter-hardy sister strains developed by the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station as selections from Fulghum selection 699-2011, a winter type Fulghum oat that orig- inated at Arlington, Va., in 1927 as a selection from Fulghum (C. I. 699). The latter strain was obtained by the U. S. Department of Agriculture from the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station in 1912. Although classed as Fulghum oats, these varieties differ widely from other Fulghum strains. They are among the most winter-hardy oats known, producing a winter growth similar to wheat with prostrate, narrow, dark green leaves. They mature even later than Red Rustproof strains from fall-seeding in Texas and are also late maturing from spring-seeding. Both varieties are highly susceptible to the oat rusts which make them poorly adapted to most sections of Texas. They have produced high average yields from fall-seeding at the Iowa Park and Chillicothe stations and at the U. S. Dry Land Field Station at Lawton in Southern Okla- homa. Recently they have been distributed to farmers in Southern Oklahoma by the Lawton station and are now being grown com- mercially in that area. They are adapted to fall-seeding in the ex- treme northern part of Region 2 and in Region I. They have been used extensively in crosses in an attempt to combine their hardiness with disease resistance. ' Fulwm x Lee-Victoria (C. I. 4383) is an unnamed, newly de- * veloped strain of oats that has shown unusual promise as a winter- hardy disease-resistant oat. It survived the severe winters of I943 I and I946 in North Texas when the Red Rustproof strains were _ killed or seriously thinned. Results of tests made in regional win- ‘ ter-hardiness nurseries conducted in cooperation with the U. S. De- 1 partment of Agriculture indicate that it approaches the Fulwin j parent in hardiness. In addition, it is resistant to crown (leaf) rust. 26 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION The early plant growth is prostrate like the Fulwin parent but the mature plants are shorter in stature a.nd mature earlier. The grain is gray in color. This strain and reselections from it have produced high yields from fall-seeding at all stations in the northern part of the State and in Southern Oklahoma. lt was developed coopera- tively by the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Denton station and will be distributed as soon as seed can be increased. In Figure I3, Fulwin x Lee-Victoria (C. l. 4383) is shown growing ‘beside the Fulwin parent in I945 at Denton. The Fulwin parent was killed by rust while the new strain yielded 52 bushels per acre. Wmtok oats were developed cooperatively by the Qklahoma Agri- cultural Experiment Station and the U. S. Department of Agricul- ture from a cross of Fulghum (winter type) (C. I. 2500) and Hairy Culberson. Winter-hardiness tests conducted in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Agriculture indicate this is the most winter- hardy oat variety tested. Because of its cold resistance it is valua- ble for fall seeding in the marginal zone between fall-sown and spring-sown oats. It is highly susceptible to the oat rusts and poor- ly adapted to Texas conditions for this reason. It is grown to a small extent in Region I and 2. Stanton oats were developed from a cross of Lee, a winter-hardy yellow oat and Victoria, a South American variety previously de- scribed. The Lee x Victoria cross was made by the U. S. Depart- ment of Agriculture and either bulk hybrid seed or selections were distributed to a number of southern experimental stations. From the Figure 13. Rust-susceptible Fulwin variety. (left) killed by rust. Ful- winxLee-Victoria (C.I. 4383) trust-resistant (right) which yielded 52 bushels per acre at Denton, Texas, 1945. _. a. _a.mhaxi»..a-.im..n....an.flm.gus._uamd_mxumwmm4m ._x.t__.._u.........i....g.m..i...~..m..m~-im -»...~...._...¢.a.. .....-... .a-...xm...._'....xn.a.i....i_...rm.ii..l...c...i“Mummi- ' ./....~..,.._ AL ..... .1 ... __. 1-. lg; OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 27 cross have been developed the named varieties, Stanton, Letoria, De- Soto, Lelina, Levic, Lelate, Florilee and Leroy. These named strains differ in hardiness, plant characteristics, and adaptation t0 the various states from which they have been distributed. Stanton oats were selected, named, and distributed by the Coker’s Pedigreed Seed Company, Hartsville, S. C. It has been distributed in Texas by commercial dealers and appears, on the basis of preliminary tests, to be the best adapted strain of the group. Stanton is less win- ter-hardy than Fulwin or Wintok but slightly more winter-hardy than the Red Rustproof strains. lt produces a prostrate early growth and the leaves are a distinct blue-green color. Mature plant growth is taller than Red Rustproof with strong straw that stands well for combine harvesting. The panicle is larger and more spread- ing than Red Rustproof, and the grain is yellow. DeSoto oats were selected, named, and distributed from the Lee x Victoria cross by the Arkansas Rice Branch Experiment Station at Stuttgart, Ark. They are short in stature, tiller abundantly, and pro- ' duce a very leafy growth, characteristics that have enabled them to produce very high forage yields at Weslaco, Texas. The grain is red, of moderate size and has a small awn. DeSoto has yielded well in preliminary tests at several locations in the State but does not ap- pear to be superior to present commercial varieties. It is less winter- hardy than either Stanton or the Red Rustproof strains. Traveler oats were developed from a cross of Victoria and Cus- tis, a winter-hardy oat. It was developed and has recently been dis- tributed by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. It is resistant to crown (leaf) rust and to smut. The grain is large and dark red in color. Traveler oats are taller than Red Rustproof and have stronger straw. The variety is slightly hardier than Red Rust- proof. It has been included in yield tests in the State only a short time, producing good yields, but has not shown superiority over present commercial varieties. , - Diseases of Oats The most common and destructive oat diseases in Texas are the 1‘ rusts, smuts, and, in recent years, lHelminthosporium blight. Oc- casionally, local losses are caused by other diseases such as halo blight, root rot or blast. Diseases are usually most serious in those 1 sections of the State having high precipitation and humidity com- bined with intensive cultivation of the crop, namely Regions 2, 3 i and 4. Diseases are usually of minor importance in the Panhandle ; region. - 2s BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Rusts The rusts are of major importance in the growing of oats through- out Central Texas and the Rolling Plains areas. They are so de- structive in the southern part of the State that, until crown rust- resistant varieties were developed, the growing of oats for grain was impractical. Owing to the mild winters of South Texas, crown rust and stem rust may infect susceptible varieties in the seedling stage during the fall, thereby reducing their value for winter pas- ture and preventing normal growth to such an extent that little grain is produced. Furthermore, the disease, after overwintering in South Texas, may increase rapidly as spring growth develops and spread northward to menace the crop in the more extensive oat- growing areas of Regions 2 and 3. The development of rust-resist- ant varieties for South Texas not only reduces the hazards of the grower in that area, but reduces the amount of inoculum that spreads northward to infect the crop in the northern part of the State. Crown rust: This disease (often called leaf or red rust) is prob- ably the most destructive single disease that attacks oats in Texas. The damage may range from complete destruction of the crop for grain in large areas of South Texas to minor losses in the less humid sections of the State. The average loss from crown rust in Texas, Figure 14. Showing the serious damage that may be caused by crown rust of oats. Fulwin (left) was damaged by rust, yielding only 2 bushels per acre at Denton, Texas, in 1939, while Fultex (right), resistant to rust, yielded 6'7 bushels per acre. ..._....I.........-_xl~.._s.¢4. Vnnnxfii-nu ." ' .. ‘I ' OA'I' PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 29 according to reports of the Division of Mycology and Disease Sur- vey of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, amounted to 2,192,600 bushels annually during the period r931 to I939, inclusive. Losses are now being decreased by the expansion in acreage of the rust- resistant varieties Fultex, Victorgrain, Stanton, Ranger, Rustler, Alber, Camellia and Verde. Additional improved varieties will soon be available. The protection from rust losses that may be gained by growing a rust-resistant variety is demonstrated in Figure I4 where the variety Fultex (right) yielded 67 bushels per acre of good quality grain at the Denton station in I939 when an adjoining plat of Fulwin (left), a susceptible variety, was so damaged by rust that it yielded only 2 bushels per acre. In Figure I5, leaves of res-istant varieties Bond, Victoria and Fultex are shown beside those of the susceptible varieties New Nortex and Fulghum. Crown rust is caused by a fungus that enters the plant, destroys the tissues, and absorbs the plant food normally used by the plant for the development of the grain. The disease shows up as small, salmon red pustules or spots on the leaves and leaf sheaths of the plant. The tiny spores produced in thesepustules serve the same purpose as seeds do for ordinary plants, that of reproduction. These spores are spread to other leaves or other plants near by, or may be carried long distances by the wind. They then germinate some- what like seeds, enter the plant, and in from 8 to I5 days produce new pustules with a new crop of spores. TheQspread of the disease is favored by showers and frequent dews, since the spores require moisture for germination. This accounts for the erroneous idea often held that rust is caused by rain or dews. No method of con- trol is practical other than that of breeding resistant varieties. Fortunately the plant breeder now has varieties that are resistant to the common races of crown rust and these are being used exten- sively in crosses with adapted varieties to develop. additional varie- ties suited to Texas conditions. i All the Red Rustproof and older Fulghum strains are suscepti- ble to crown rust, though the Red Rustproo-f strains are more tol- erant than most susceptible varieties. The newly distributed varie- ties Fultex, Victorgrain, Ranger, Rustler, Camellia, Stanton, De- Soto, Traveler and Verde are resistant to crown rust. Other varie- ties and strains, resistant to one or both of the oat rusts, are under test and may soon be available commercially. " Stem rust: This is commonly considered the most serious dis- ease of small grains in Texas, although on oats it is usually less de- structive than crown rust. The ravages of stern rust (commonly called Figure 15. Rust reaction of selected oat varieties in pairs from the left: first, Bond, immune; second and third, Victoria, highly resistant, but with some flecking of leaves caused by rust; fourth, New Nortex, susceptible, and fifth, Fulghum, highly susceptible. NOLLVLS LNEIWIHHJXEI "IVHILUIHOIHDV SVXELL ‘I69 'ON NLLCTYIHEI OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 31 black stem rust) are so apparent, and so spectacular under severe epi- demics that it often appears that the disease and destruction oc- cur almost overnight. Like crown rust, this disease is caused by a parasitic fungus, which enters the tissues of the plant, destroys the tissues, and uses the plant food. The disease attacks the stems, leaves, and even the panicle head). Long, brick red pustules break out on the surface of the plant, and from these, tiny spores spread the disease to other parts of the plant or to other plants. The spores may be carried by the wind to other fields nearby, or many miles away. The disease is favored by warm, humid weather with fre- quent dews or showers. Stem rust of oats is similar to stem ru'st of wheat, but is not exactly the same since stem rust of oats does not attack wheat or barley, and vice versa. The breeding of rust-resist- ant varieties is the only practical method of controlling the disease. With the exception of Verde, recommended for the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Plains area, all varieties of oats now l available commercially in Texas are susceptible to stem rust. New stem rust-resistant varieties and strains, as mentioned in the fore- f going discussions, are being developed or tested under Texas con- ditions, and may soon be made available. Smuts Two types of smut, loose smut and covered smut, attack oats. Loose smut destroys the entire head or panicle including the glumes and seed. Covered smut destroys only the seed in most instances, leaving the glumes surrounding and holding the mass ofblack smut spores. Usually, covered smut invades the glumes only slight- ly. Often, however, it is hard to distinguish the two types of smut and, as the seed treatment is the same for the control of both kinds, they are treated as one disease in this discussion. Smut, like rust, is caused by a microscopic, parasitic fungus that enters the tissues of the plant, absorbs the plant food, and replaces the seed with a mass of smut spores. At threshing time, the smut spores are spread to healthy seed, where they remain until the seed . is planted. As the seed germinates, the smut spores germinate also and enter the tissues of the young plant. The fungus grows ‘within the plant tissues until the plant matures, then the seed or the seed a and glumes are replaced by masses of smut spores. The two types of smut of oats are shown in Figure I6 in com- l» parison with a normal plant. In contrast with the rusts, the smuts may easily be controlled by seed treatment. Effective control may be obtained by dusting the 32 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Figure 16. Panicles or heads of oats infected with covered smut (left); normal plants (center) and infected with loose smut (right). seed with one of the commercial dusts such as New Improved Cer“ san, or by treating the seed with formaldehyde. One of the most eff fective and easily- applied treatments is that of dusting the se with New Improved Ceresan. Mercury dusts of this type are poi souous and precautions uoteol by t/te manufacturer should be our ‘ fully observed. The New Improved Ceresan is applied at the rat of one-half ounce per bushel by means of a gravity or rotary sea treater, or simply by adding the dust to a pile of grain and then’; shoveling it over repeatedly until the dust and grain are thorough-I ly mixed. Mixing in the drill box is not recommended. A small home-made device known as the Minnesota Seed Grainé‘ Treater,‘ has proved highly satisfactory for applying the dust; With this device, two men can treat upwards of 4o bushels of seed: per hour. Anyone handy with a hammer and saw can make the de- vice. Another kind of home-made duster, consisting of a rotating l barrel with a baffle board, can also be constructed? For larger quan-I; tities of seed, a cement mixer or a commercial treating machine is“ preferred. Several makes of satisfactory seed treating machines are available. Directions for applying New Improved Ceresan or other dust treatments are given on the label of each can and should be fol- lDirections for its construction and use are given in U. S. Department of Agriculture Miscellaneous Publication No. 2.19 entitled, “Treat Seed Grain”, 2Its construction and use are described in U. S. Department of Agricul-‘i ture Miscellaneous Publication N0. 199 entitled, _“Barley Diseases Con- trolled by Seed Treatmen .” OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 33 lowed closely. With New Improved Ceresan, seed should be treated about two weeks before planting, but seed should not be held more than a few months after treating or viability of the seed may be injured. Surplus seed treated with these poisonous dusts should q not be fed to livestock. Another method of seed treatment is with liquid formaldehyde. It is the most economical method but, under some conditions, may cause a reduction in germination. This most often occurs when . seed is sown in dry soil or when seeding is delayed following treat- ment of the grain. Treatment with liquid formaldehyde costs only about one cent per bushel, but is more laborious and disagreeable to handle than dust treatments. The formaldehyde may be applied by spraying it on the seed or by making a solution and dipping the seed in it. One pint of formaldehyde is sufficient to treat 50 bushels of oats by mixing it with one pint of water and spraying it on the seed, mixing it with 5 gallons of water and sprinkling it on the seed, or mixing it in 5o gallons of water and dip-ping the seed. For the spray or sprinkle method the oats are placed in small piles on the floor of a bin, and the formaldehyde is applied by sprin- . kling or spraying the solution onto the oats as they are shoveled into new piles. This should be repeated until all seed is uniformly‘ mois- tened with the solution. After treatment, the grain should be left f covered with a tarpaulin for two hours or over night. If it is not planted immediately, it should _be spread out to dry. Germination of the seed may be impaired if seed is stored more than a few weeks after treatment, so the treating should be done immediately before i planting. Dipping the grain into a solution of formaldehyde is equally ef- A fective. For this method the grain is placed in loose burlap or ; gunny-bags, half filled and tied at the top. They are dipped into a ' ~ barrel of the solution for an hour. They are then removed, the surplus water drained off, and the seed spread out t0 dry. Care should be taken to see that the seed does not heat or freeze. If the seed swells the rate of planting will have to be adjusted ac- cordingly. In treating seed with formaldehyde, care should be taken _ to keep the solution and fumes out of the eyes. After drying, sur- plus seed treated with formaldehyde may be fed to livestock with- out danger. - Figure 17. Oat variety trials at Denton, Texas, 1940 ‘Basted (foreground) and spring-sown tests in background. .. .._ .,...r,...,,._.,... .. . "Y€‘“!W—wvv(‘“'“'7”r 36 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Helminthosporium Blight Although H elmintlzosporium, F usawium, Pytkium and other soil fungi have probably always caused some losses in oats through re- , duction of stands and rotting of the roots, their damage has been largely overlooked or considered minor in extent. With the distribu- tion of new oat varieties in the United States that resulted from crosses on Victoria, a new species of Helminthosporium (H. vic- zim/iae, Meehan and Murphy) has increased to epidemic proportions to cause serious losses in oats. The varieties most seriously damaged in Texas are the new crown-rust-resistant varieties Fultex, Vic- torgrain, Ranger, Rustler and Verde. The Helminthosporium blight (also called Victoria blight and root rot) attacks the plants of oats at nearly all stages of growth. In untreated seed, the seedlings are attacked as the seed germinates, many are killed and others weakened. Plants that survive or escape early infection show infection in the later stages of growth by the production of orange to brown discolored lesions or streaks on the leaves. The nodes or joints of the stem become dark in color and are weakened so that many plants break over. Other plants are at- tacked at the crown and become so weak that lodging at the ground level occurs. When the plants are pulled it is found that roots are few in number, and badly discolored or dead. The grain produced is shriveled and light in test weight. Because of the heavy infection of the fungus on the seed, the grain frequently heats in storage. Figure 18-. Diseased, blackened nodes of oats infected with Helmintho- sporium blight (first five from left) shown in comparison with normal stem and node at extreme right. (Courtesy Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station.) OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 37 Infected stems and roots of diseased plants are shown in Figures 18 and 19 in comparison with normal ones. The fungus that causes the disease is probably present in most soils and increases rapidly when susceptible varieties are seeded on the land. It is also spread by infected seed. Relatively little is known about the influence of rotation, tillage and other crops on the spread and development of the disease, but limited tests in other states indicate that rotation of corps, together with seed treatment, aids in the control of the disease. Based on controlled experiments, it appears that the disease will be more serious in the warm, humid sections of the State than in the areas of more limited rainfall. Seed-borne infection can be largely controlled by treating the seed with New Improved iCeresan or other mercury dusts as for the con- trol of smut. Seed should be cleaned thoroughly to remove shriveled, infected kernels and the seed then treated as for smut about two weeks before planting. Fortunately, the Red Rustproof strains are much more resistant to the disease than varieties derived from crosses with Victoria. Where the disease becomes serious and the Red Rustproof varieties are adapted, they should be planted. In South Texas, it is suggested that Alber and Camellia may be more resistant to Helminthosporium blight than Range-r and Rustler. Figure 19. Four discolored, rotted root systems of plants infected with Helminthosporium blight compared with two normal root systems at right. (Courtesy Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station.) ss BULLETIN NO. e91, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Miscellaneous Diseases Several other diseases may attack oats in certain seasons or in certain sections of the State. Fusarium, Pythium and the com- mon species of Helminthosporium, often cause some reduction in stand and some leaf spotting, but usually are not serious. Seed treatment is an aid in producing strong, early growth of seedlings. Occasionaly halo blight, a bacterial disease that causes large brown lesions on the leaf, causes damage to oats in the more humid sec- tions of the State. The growing of resistant varieties is the only method of control for this disease. Winter-hardiness of Oat Varieties Oats are the least hardy of the three commonly grown small grain crops. Winter-killing is an important hazard of production under Texas conditions. Injury to the crop from low temperatures often occurs after periods of relatively warm weather, which may happen any time during the winter months. Under such conditions, plants are poorly hardened and all varieties may be killed regardless of their relative cold resistance, while at other times oats may be hardened and differential killing in proportion to true hardiness of varieties may occur. In the 35-year period, 1911 to 1946 inclusive, oats have been completely winterkilled six seasons at the Denton station. In addition, differential killing occurred in I924, 1927, 1942, 1943 and 1944. As fall-sown oats are more productive than spring-sown oats in most seasons, more hardy oats are desirable for the fall-sown oat area of the United States. Tests of the winter-hardiness of oat va- rieties have been conducted cooperatively by the U. S. Department of Agriculture and state experimental stations since I927. De- tailed reports of the survival of all strains tested are prepared each year. A summary of results is published under the title, “Survival of Oats Grown in Winter-hardiness Nurseries, 1932-1941” in the American Society of Agronomy journal 34(7): 651-658, july, I942. Data on the comparative hardiness of a selected group of strains in this nursery from I937 to I942 inclusive, and similar data obtained at Denton, Texas, from 1942 to I947 inclusive are given in Table 3. Data are recorded in percentage survival and in percentage of the check variety, Winter Turf. Data on survival at Denton, Texas, and throughout the Southern States are in agreement. The most hardy strains are Wintok, Ful- win, Tennex, Forkedeer and Hairy Culberson. Both Letoria and Stanton appear to be more hardy than their parent Lee; while De- Table 3. Comparatlve wlnter-hardmess of selected oat varletles 1n the U.S.D.A. uniform wlnter-hardlness nursery, 1937 to 1942 mclnslve, and at Denton, Texas, 1942 1:0 1947, mcluslve Percent Percent survival—average Weighted of Winter Percent survival at Denton* C. I Variety for number test shown average Turf for No. - No. of same of Aver- No. 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 tests years tests 1942 1943 1944 1947 age years Number test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 31 24 29 29 3296 Winter Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83.5 67. 6 79. 9 72. 2 - 58.5 71.4 100 135 90 3 94 30 54. 2 4 2505 Hairy Culberson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88.1 71.3 77. 2 75.3 64. 8 74. 6 104. 8 134 100 50 100 80 82. 5 4 3424 Wintok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 75.1 78.7 77.6 67.2 74.5 108.1 112 100 50 100 85 83.8 4 2042 Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 83.8 62.0 76.4 70.2 54.9 95.7 95.7 135 40 0 90 10 35.0 4 3392 Letoria . . . . . . . . . . .| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81.1 74 . 7 65.5 73.3 105.3 82 93 0 100 69 65. 5 4 3855 Stanton Strain 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64.0 64.0 109.4 29 75 0 93 55 55.8 4 3923 De Soto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 0 93 45 37.0 4 3170 Forkedeer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89.2 106.8 22 . . . . . . 20 100 . . . . . . 60.0 2 3169 Tennex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 90.1 75.6 83.0 73.5 68.8 77.4 108.4 135 100 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . 58.0 2 3168 Fulwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 91.2 76.1 80.2 74.5 70.9 77.8 108.9 135 95 30 100 95 80.0 4 4383 Fulwin x Lee-Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 98 85 77.7 3 4316 Fulwin x Lee-Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 98 . . . . . . 51.5 2 4206 Traveler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . s . . . . . . . . . . . 0 99 84 61 . 0 3 708 Fulghum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 88.0 70.0 77.4 70. 9 65.7 73.5 102. 9 135 l0 0 88 32 32.5 4 3531 Fultex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66. 7 59.1 62. 9 96.2 58 50 0 90 28 42.0 4 3692 Victorgrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58. 7 57. 5 58.1 88.8 58 25 0 93 35 38.3 4 4079 Camellia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 30 . . . . . . 10.0 3 1815 Appler Rustproof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 74.4 58.4 70.3 59.5 53.7 62.3 87.3 135 _ 5 0 90 28 30.8 4 2382 Nortex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73.1 57.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.7 85.8 53 19 0 86 18 30.8 4 3422 New Nortex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 77. 6 62.1 71.8 61.9 58.4 65. 5 91. 7 135 48 0 95 32 43.8 4 3754 Rustler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53.8 53.8 92.0 29 3 0 70 . . . . . . 24.3 3 3417 Ranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 65.8 . . . . .. 51.2 57.7 84.6 53 5 0 79 35 29.8 4 3733 Rangler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54.5 54.5 93.2 29 3 0 83 . . . . . . 28. 7 3 *No winter-killing in 1945 or 1946. 69 SVXELL NI NOLLOIICIOHJ LVO 40 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Figure 20. Showing the high survival of FulwinxLee-Victoria (C.I.{. 43-83) in 4-row nursery plots (left) when New Nortexf (right) and other surrounding strains were severely in- 1; jured by 10W temperatures at Denton, Texas, in 1947. Soto is about as hardy as Lee. Fulghum appears to be more hardy, then Red Rustproof on the basis of theregional tests but less hardy? in Texas. New Nortex is more hardy than its Appler Rustproof} parent and more hardy than Nortex. This agrees with observations under commercial conditions. Ranger, Rustler and Rangler are less hardy than their Nortex parent and probably should not grown north of the Waco, Texas, area. Camellia is also very tender :1 and should be grown only in South Texas. The most promising” new strain is Fulwin x Lee-Victoria C.I. 4383. This strain has, for practical purposes, been equal to its Fulwin parent in hardiness and is much superior in rust resistance, which has contributed to much Q higher average yields. These results are in agreement with unpub- a lished data of recent years in the regional tests. The high survival of C.I. 4383 in 1943 when most strains were winter-killed, is shown in“, Figure 2o. i Experimental Results Tests of oat varieties and strains, together with breeding work f to develop improved varieties, are being conducted at several loca- tions in the State. The location of the substations cooperating the work reportedherein is shown in Figure 2. The most exten-yié sive work has been done at the Denton station in Region 3 of North- OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS ' 41 central Texas, where work has been in progress since 1912. After the introduction of the crown-rust-resistant varieties Victoria and Bond, in 1927 and 1929, respectively, the breeding work in South Texas was expanded to develop adapted rust-resistant varieties for that area. As nearly all adapted varieties are of comparatively re- cent origin, yield data obtained only in recent years are presented in this publication. Through the courtesy of the Division of Cotton and Other Fiber Crops, Bureau of Plant Industry, 'Soils, and Agriculture Engineer- ing, U. S. Department of Agriculture, data on oat variety trials conducted at the U. S. Cotton Field Station at Greenville, Texas, are presented. Variety Trials at Denton* The Denton station is located 5 miles west of Denton, Texas, in the Grand Prairie area. This is a diversified farming section with cotton, oats, wheat and corn being the major crops. Large acreages are also devoted to barley, grain sorghum, hay and pasture crops. The 30-year mean annual precipitation is 32.6 inches, with the highest average precipitation being received in April, May and October.‘ Temperatures are relatively mild, although subject to I wide and rapid fluctuations which at times cause winter-killing of oats and barley. Complete winter-killing of oats occurred in six sea- sons since the establishment of the Denton station in 1912. Differ- _ ential injury winter-killing occurred in the five additional seasons of 1924, 1927, 1942, 1943 and 1944. Wheat was winter-killed in 1916 and injured by heaving and low temperatures in 1933 and 1935. The 28-year annual mean temperature is 64.7° F.; the record minimum temperature is -3° F. In this area, fall-sown oats yield on the average approximately 1o bushels more per acre than spring- i sown oats, so approximately 75 percent of the crop is fall-sown. The balance of the acreage is normally spring-sown but, in seasons ‘ when winter-killing occurs, the majority of the harvested acreage may be spring-sown. Variety tests of oats have been conducted ~ since 1912. Data on yields from both fall and spring seeding and tests conducted in field plots and nursery-plots are reported in Tables 4 to 7, inclusive. In Figure 17 are shown the field plot variety trials with the fall-sown test harvested in the foreground and the p spring-sown test in the background. Yields of fall-sown oats: Data on yields are presented in Tables it 4 and 5 for only the more recent period of 1929 to 1946, inclusive. *Small grain tests at Denton were conducted in cooperation with the late P. B. Dunkle, superintendent. Table 4. Yields of fall-sown oat varieties grown in replicated 1/44-acre field plots, 1929-1946, inclusive, at Texas Substation N0. 6, Denton, Texas - Average Number Yield of grain—bushels per acre variety or strain For Standard l“ years varieties C. 1. T. S. . 1929 1931 1932 1934 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1944 1945 1946 grown same period fi 2382 9235 Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61 7 85.9 73.8 71.7 76.6 77.7 92.7 76.8 78.5 20.7 67.2 46.0 85.0 83.1 80.6 3422 {Z6155 New Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 67 6 87.5 81.3 78.8 79.2 84.3 92.9 77.8 77.8 21.4 71.6 43.7 98.1 87.5 80.6 2150 361i 9400 Ferguson 922* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61.0 88.7 78.6 75.8 75.2 71.3 95.5 77.2 75.4 24.0 65.6 40.4 95.4 84.0 80.6 2503 1118-69 Texas Red RustprooP‘ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 66.7 88.9 73.6 75.8 76.6 76.6 91.8 73.9 79.8 21.6 64.2 46.9 90.4 84.2 80.6 2381 9234 Frazier* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 55.8 69.5 36.1 54.7 59.9 77.9 78.5 61.2 63.8 13.9 45.0 33.4 58.8 64.4 80.6 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 312 8 420.5 343.4 356.8 367.5 387.8 451.4 366.9 375.3 101.6 313.6 210.4 427.7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 62 6 84.1 68.7 71.4 73.5 77.6 90.3 73.4 75.1 20.3 62.7 42.1 85.5 80.6 89.6 . . . . . . .. 1415-12 TexasRedRustprool......................................... 83.7 74.4 85.8 86.1 98.7 76.8 78.0 75.8 68.8 . . . . . . .. 2805—39 TexasRedRustprool. 80.3 75.0 74.8 77.0 72.8 . . . . . . .. 2805-43 TexasRedRustproof......................................... 80.0 77.8 74.9 77.6 72.8 . . . . . . .. 6217-43 TexasRedRustproof-..................................._... 80.6 77.7 79.7 78.2 72.8 3417 27871 Ranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13.3 20.3 3754 27908 Rustler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 67.0 13.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 40.2 47.7 3733 . . . . . . . . Rangler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65.2 39 9 . . . . . . 52.6 53.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-34-3................................................................ 97.0 90.3 3534 . . . . . . . . Nortex x Victa. 11-34-103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 73.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84. 4 81.8 3535 . . . . . . . . Nortex x Victa. 11-35-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75.9 74.2 20.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56.9 56.3 3536 . . . . . . . . Applier x Bond, 15-34-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88.0 73.9 72.6 15.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62.5 64. 8 2498 15927 Fulghum (winter type) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64.9 75. 7 80. 7 62.3 81.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71.4 72.0 2909 19564 Norton No. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57.7 59.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58.9 72.4 3531 28889 Fultex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .._ 92.2 67.0 67.0 10. 7 57.0 39.7 89.2 60.4 64.2 3529 . . . . . . . . Fulghum x Victa. 12-34-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68.3 65.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66. 7 74. 2 3533 . . . . . . . . Kanota x vista. 13-33-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96.1 90. 3 3692 . . . . . . .. Victorgrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 65.4 47.1 80.5 64.3 63.4 3923 . . . . . . .. DeSoto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 60.4 48.1 84.7 64.4 63.4 3392 . . . . . . .. Letoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 68.6 43.5 . . . . .. 56.0 52.4 3855 . . . . . . .. Stanton (Strain 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 67.2 42.2 88.7 66.0 63.4 4315 . . . . . . . . Stanton (Strain 43-33) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39.6 82.8 61.2 63.8 4383 . . . . . . . . Fulwin x Lee-Viola. 3770 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70. 7 49.6 80.7 67.0 63.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FulwinxLee-Victa.3832..................................._..............................................._... 63.4 41.9...... 52.6 52.4 4603 . . . . . . . . R. R. P? x VicL-Riqh. 39-39-89 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47.0 37 9 83 4 57.8 63.4 R. R. P.’ x VicL-Rich. 39-39-163 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.2 62.4 R. R. P? x Vida-Rich. 39-40-146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 31.8 . . . . .. 31.8 42.1 R. R. P.‘—’ x Victm-Rich. 39-40-210 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.9 80. 1 56. 5 63. 8 R. R. P? x Victim-Rich. 39-40-223 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . » . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42.2 90. 6 66.4 63.8 R. R. P? x victm-Rich. 39-40-231 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.5 . . . . . . 27.5 42.1 R. R. P.’ x Vida-Rich. 39-40-250 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36. 7 83. 4 60.0 63. 8 R. R. P.” x VictL-Rich. 39-40-272 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.8 86.5. 62.6 63.8 R. R. P.” x victL-Rich. 39-40-427 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.1 73.0‘ 61.6 63.8 ‘Standard varietieslrngan of which _i_s _u_sed_to compile with other _va_rieties grown For lass than the full period. Z? NOLLVLS LNEIWIHEIJXEI TVHILLTIIOIHDV SVXELL ‘I69 'ON NLLEITTHH _W.._W r Table 5. Yields of fall-sown oat varieties and strains grown in replicated nursery plots, 1931-1946, inclusive, at Texas Sub- station No. 6, Denton, Texas . Average Number a Yield of grain——bushels per acre —————— Variety or strain For Standard ——-——~— ———~— years varieties C. I. T. S. 1931 1932 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1943 1944 1945 1946 grown same period 2382 9235 Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 93.1 76.0 95.2 93.8 95.7 89.6 99.2 53.9 0 68.2 53.3 82.5 75.0 73.1 3422 26155 New Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 111.6 87.8 90.8 99.1 92.9 86.2 94.0 55.7 0 71.0 55.3 96.2 78.4 73.1 2150 9400 Ferguson 922* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 102.2 85.4 83.6 85.0 90.1 81.0105.5 53.1 0 69.2 55.2 90.2 75.0 73.1 2381 9234 Frazier* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 71.0 52.1 68.8 78.6 95.9 67 1 83.2 44.8 0 43.5 36.1 60.2 58.4 73.1 2503 1118-69 Texas Red Rustproof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 98.9 72.0 98.4 86.4 99.0 91.4106.2 46.4 0 68.3 56.7 91.4 76.3 73.1 . . . . . . .. 2805-43 Texas Red Rustproof*............... 84.8 66.4 98.2 86.0 93.1 90.8106.1 59.0 0 69.3 50.6 84.6 74.1 73.1 . . . . . . .. 6217—43 Texas Red Rustpr0of*............... 81.0 75.0 99.8 90.0 84.4 93.6104 1 54.8 0 71.6 50.8 90 7 74.7 73.1 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 642.6 514.7634.8 618.9 651.1 599 7698 3367.7 0 461.1 358.0 595.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 91.8 73.5 90.7 88.4 93.0 85 7 99.8 52.5 0 65.9 51.1 85.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. 1415-12 Texas Red Rustpr00f................ 77.1 78.4 94.4 93.9 90.0 91 0108.0 58.1 0 75.1 50.3 74.2 72.0 1815 . . . . . . .. Appler Rustproof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 59.8 52.0 89.0 50.2 50.5 4220 . . . . . . .. Delta Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 33.0 51.2 86.4 42.6 50.5 4313 . . . . . . .. Carolina Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64.2 57.0 88.1 69.8 67.4 3934 . . . . . . .. Red Rustproof (Ala. 43a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 55.9 46.9 83 2 63.0 67 4 3417 27871 Ranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 89.4 82.9 94.6 40. 5 0 57.1 67.6 83.9 64. 5 66.6 3733 . . . . . . .. Rangler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 57.8 51.0 36.3 39.0 3754 27908 Rustler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 95.6 83.6 89.0 29.8 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 59.6 66 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-38-78....................... 93.8 72.3 91.2 84.2 87.5 915 3534 . . . . . . .. NorteXxVicta.11-34-103............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 83.8 90.4 93.0 97.4 51.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 83.1 83.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-34-104........................... 77.8 91.8 84.8 89.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-34-191-4............................... 92.4 82.6 91.4 92.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-34-193........................... 92.0 95.8 81.4 90.8 ’91.7 3535 . . . . . . .. Nortex x Victa. 11-35-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 95.6 92.4 91.2 42.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 80.4 82. 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-35-52...................................... 92.1 96.1 78.9 79.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..NortexxVicta.11-35-l71.....................................92.1 96.1 78.2 79.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-36-134..................................... 78.6 81.5 64.0 79.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P?xVicta.-Rich.39-40-l72(a).................................................... a2.a..... 32.3 511 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P3XVicta.-Rich.39-40-20l.................................................. 32.4 60.6 76.0 47.1 674 . . . . . R.R.P?xVicta.-Rich.39-40-219.................................................. 36.9 47.0..... 42.0 58.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P?xVicta.-Rich.39-40-243....................................................... 44.7..... 44.7 51.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R P?xVicta.-Rich.39-40-290.............................,.................... 342 49.3..... 42.0 58,5 4662 . . . . . . .. R. R. PF xVictm-Rich. 39-40-427 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 50 1 69.6 59.8 68.1 3424 . . . . . . .. Wintok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 85.9 35.2 29 8 67.3 .> . . . . . . . .. 54.6 54.5 3169 . . . . . . .. Tennex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .= 35.2 30.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 32.6 26.2 3168 . . . . . . .. Fulwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 41.8 21 9 67.8 2.6 52 1 37.2 50.9 2498 15865 Fulghum (winter'type)............... 86.5 68.7 70.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 75.3 85 3 2500 20446 Fulghum (winter type) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 97.8 75.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 86.4 82 7 708 20472 Fulghum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 58.3 65.6 79.2 87.8 65.6 82.2 52.6 0 47.7 38.5 62.3 58.2 71 4 8V SVXELL NI NOLLOHCIOHJ lVO Table 5. Yields of fall-sown oat varieties and strains grown in replicated nursery plots, 1931-1946, inclusive, at Texas Sub- ' station No. 6, Denton, Texas-—(C0ntinued) Average Nymber a Yield of grain—bushels per acre Variety or strain For Standard ii ————— years varieties C. I. T. S. 1931 1932 1936 1937 ' 1938 1939 1940 1941 1943 1944 1945 1946 grown same period . . . . . . .. 18565 C0kerFulghumNo.4..................... 81.5 75.2 82.1 2909 18564 Norton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.2 90. 7 3531 28889 Fultex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 79.2 95.6 82.4 91.2 53.8 0 64.4 60.6 86.6 68.2 69.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FulghumxVicta.12-33-60........................... 0 41.7 90.7 3528 . . . . . . .. Fulghum x Victa. 12-33-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 78.2 82.7 97.2 47.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61.2 83.9 3529 . . . . . . .. Fulghum x Victa. 12-34-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 73.4 93.4 76 4 97.8 47.0 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64.7 69.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FulghumxVicta.12-34-53........................... 0 39.3 90.7 3533 . . . . . . .. Kanota xVicta. 13-33-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 79.2 102.7 97.4 98.6 55.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 86.7 83.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. KanotaxVicta.13-34-12................................. 86.4 77.4 86.5 92.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. KanotaxVicta.13-34-l3........~.................... 79.4 97.7 93.l100.0 85.2 83.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ApplerxBond,15-34-63............................. 82.5 95.0 97.6l01.8 82.9 83.9 3536 . . . . . . .. Applerx Bond, 15-34-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 75.2 92.3 84.0 99.6 40.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 78.2 83.9 3692 . . . . . . .. Victorgrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 50.4 0 68 0 56.1 77 9 51.3 50.9 3693 . . . . . . .. Fulgrain Strain 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 44.8 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22.4 26.2 3991 . . . . . . .. Osage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9.6 42.5 64.7 38.9 67.4 2401 18562 Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64. 5 43.2 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 35. 9 ' 85.3 2733 20451 Bond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 90. 7 3923 . . . . . . .. DeSoto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 59.2 63.8 85.2 52.0 50.5 3392 . . . . . . .. Letoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 72.3 54.3 73.9 50. 1 50.5 3855 . . . . . . .. Stanton Strain 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 72.8 43.8 76.0 48.2 50.5 4315 . . . . . . .. Stanton Strain 43-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 76.2 50.7 81 0 69.3 67.4 3404 . . . . . . .. Lelina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 62. 6 . . . . . . . . .. 31.3 32.9 3379 . . . . . . .. Lega . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 72.6 48.2 40.3 39.0 3398 . . . . . . .. LeRoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64.3 43.4 53.9 67.4 4080 . . . . . . .. Lemont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 66.9 11.2 64.8 47.6 67.4 4079 . . . . . . .. Camillia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 55.4 50.7 35.4 39.0 4206 . . . . . . .. Traveler 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 64.2 55.9 86-9 51.8 50.5 4318 . . . . . . .. VictoriaxNorton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61.7 60.3 61.0 58.5 4383 . . . . . . .. Fulwin x Lee-Victa. 3770 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 50.2 69.8 60.0 68.1 4218 . . . . . . .. FulwinxLee-Victa. 3771 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0 73.9 43 9 39.3 39.0 4316 . . . . . . .. Fulwin xLee-Victa. 3788 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 62.8 41 9 85.9 63.5 67.4 *Standard varieties, mean of which is used for comparison with varieties grown for less than the full 12 year period. (a) (Red Rustproof 1415-8 x Victoria-Richland) x Red Rustproof 1415-8. NOILVLS LNEIWIHEIJXEI TVHIIJIIIIOIHDV SVXELL ‘I69 ‘ONI NLLEYYIIIH OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 45 _omplete winter-killing of all varieties in field-plot tests occurred r I930, I933, I935 and_I943. The same is true of the nursery ts, except that in I943 differential winter-killing of varieties oc- i rred in the nursery. All oats were destroyed by greenbugs in I942 ter differential winter-killing had occurred earlier in the winter. ; ss of the entire crop in I942 and of the fall—sown crop in I943 gscaused a serious delay in the development of new rust-resistant rieties. Five varieties included in the field-plot tests and eight in- uded in the nursery tests are used as standards for comparison iith varieties grown for periods less than the full I2 years. Of the Red Rustproof strains grown the full I2-year period, ew Nortex leads all others with an average yield of 4.4 bushels acre more than Nortex in the field-plot tests and 3.4 bushels “ore in the nursery tests. Differences among the other Red Rust- roof strains are small. During the period I936 to I941, large num- 3- of strains from a cross of Nortex and Victoria were tested in ,3 attempt to secure an adapted strain resistant to crown (leaf) 5 ‘st. As a group, these strains were disappointing because, although istant to leaf rust, they were less productive than New Nortex p‘ d were lacking‘ in hardiness; None was distributed commercial- and only a few are listed in the table. Ranger and Rustler were eveloped from this same cross for South Texas conditions. They iere tested at Denton from I938 to I945, but proved less produc- f've than New Nortex and are more easily injured by low tempera- i res. . Strains recently developed from a cross of Red Rustproof and a train of Victoria-Richland have been tested extensively. Yields of f few strains are shown for the period I944 and I946. These strains ‘e resistant to crown rust and some races of stem rust but, in most stances, are lacking in winter-hardiness. Several have appeared of Zecial promise from spring seeding. "’ Fulghum strains, such as Frazier, and most strains developed rom crosses with Fulghum, such as Fultex, are less productive ,an New Nortex when fall-seeded in the Denton area. Wintok and “e winter-type Fulghum strains, Fulwin and Tennex, are very vrdy but areoften seriously damaged by rusts in this area and 7 e not recommended. Fulwin x Lee-Victoria C.I. 4383) has pro- 3 uced yields much superior to its Fulwin parent and gives promise as A new rust-resistant hardy strain. Data on yield are given for the ore promising of a large group of strains from Fulghum crosses j ted from I937 to I941. Victorgrain, developed from the cross ulgrain X Victoria, has been tested less extensively than Fultex, ut appears to have no advantage over Fultex. Table 6. Yields of sl-iring-sown oat varieties and strains grown in replicated 1/44-acre field plots, 1933-46, inclusive, at Texas Substation No. 6, Denton, Texas as a: Average Number Yield of grair-bushels per acre Variety or strain For Standard — ————-— —-——- years varieties g C 1 T S. 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1943 1944 1945 1946 grown same period b. F‘ H 2381 9234 Frazier* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 77.2 71.5 75.1 41.6 64.8 48.7 67.3 64.9 39.2 35.7 49.1 28.2 45.8 54 5 57.6 L5 2382 9235 Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 88.0 67.9 76.7 65.9 60.3 54.7 54.3 82.3 43.0 20.2 34.3 44.1 57.9 57 7 57.6 z 3422 26155 New Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 85.2 83.7 81.7 71.4 55.0 47.4 54.9 79.6 51.7 28.5 33.4 43.7 56.1 59 4 57.6 2150 9400 Ferguson 922* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 83.7 81.2 81.6 69.9 53.2 50.4 55.7 79.3 53.7 21.2 27.6 42.4 54.8 58 0 57.6 Z 2503 1118-69 Texas Red RustprooP‘ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 87.2 81.7 77.2 74.2 50.4 47.4 55.9 80.8 46.7 26.3 33.9 45.7 52.2 58 4 57.6 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 421.3 386.0 392.3 323.0 283.7 248.6 288.1 386.9 234.3 131.9 178.3 204.1 266.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. § Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 84.3 77.2 78.5 64.6 56.7 49.7 57.6 77.4 46.9 26.4 35.7 40.8 53.4 57.6 57.6 ' *5 . . . . . . .. 1415—12 Texas Red Rustproof.............................. 87.9 88.9 86.7 69.9 56.4 53.4 54.1 81.0 46.8 29.2...... 65.4 61.9 P1 . . . . . . .. 2805-39 TexasRedRustproofm........................... 77.2 85.9 73.3 68.0 71.5 72.2 >4 . . . . . . .. 2805-43 TexasRedRustproo1.............................. 86.1 86.9 82.1 68.5 75,5 72.2 (a; . . . . . . .. 6217-43 TexasRedRustproof.............................. 76.3 86.0 78.4 71.5 73.1 72.2 3417 27871 Ranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 36.4 31.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 33.7 36.6 11> 3733 . . . . . . .. Rangler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 25.1 38.2 47.1 . . . . .. 36.8 34.3 Q 3154 2190s Rum... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 19.9 33.4 21.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45.9 50.2 E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-34-3............................. 47.6 49.7 O 3534 . . . . . . . . Nortex x Victa. 11-34-103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49.4 49.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49.2 53. 7 C 3535 . . . . . . .. Nortex x Victa. 11-35-41. . . .~ . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 49.5 78.8 39.7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 56.0 60.6 S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.PflxVicta.-Rich.29-39-304(a)......... 26.6 60.3 60.3 43.3 43.3 40.2 C: 4603 . . . . . . . . R. R. P? x Victm-Rich. 39-39-89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70.2 62.4 50.0 60.9 43.3 w . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.PfixVicta.-Rich.39-39-98...........................'........................................................... 59.4 42.0 50.7 _47.1 > R. R. P.’ x Victm-Rich. 39-39-100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54.6 . . . . . . 54.6 40.8 t‘ R. R. P.’ x Victm-Rich. 39-40-146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.4 . . . . . . 50.4 40.8 m R. R. P! x Victm-Rich. 39-40-210 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.9 35.4 43.2 47.1 N R. R. P? x Victim-Rich. 39-40-223 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.6 45.2 46.9 47.1 >1; R. R. P? x Victm-Rich. 39-40-231 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58.1 . . . . . . 58.1 40.8 p1 R. R. P? x Victa.-Rich. 39-40-250 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58.8 . 49.3 47.1 5U 4661 . . . . . . R. R. P? x Victm-Rich. 39-40-272 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49.6 47.1 E 3536 . . . . . . . . Appler x Bond, 15-34-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54.9 57.9 m 2909 18564 Norton No. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 63.1 76.1 z 2498 15827 Fulghum (winter type) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 69.9 76.1 i-q 3533 . . . . . . . . Kanota x Victoria, 13-33-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47. 6 49. 7 m 3531 28889 Fultex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 53.3 48.5 H 3529 . . . . . . . . Fulghum x Victa. 12-34-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67.8 67.5 {> 3692 . . . . . . .. Victorgrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 51.1 43.3 H 3923 . . . . . . .. e m ......................................... .. 46.8 39.0 5‘ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 42.9 34.3 z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39_Q 3Q_0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 52,1 “L8 . . . . . . _ . . . . .. 49.5 49.9 “ OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 47 The Lee x Victoria strains have beentested for relatively short periods. In comparison with standard varieties, several have good records, DeSoto and Stanton being the most promising in yield and general agronomic characters. The tender varieties, Osage and Ca- mellia, should not be fall-sown in this region. l Yields of spring-sown oats: Data on yields of spring-sown oats at Denton (Tables 6 and 7) are presented only for the more recent period, I933 to I946, inclusive. The crop was destroyed by green- bugs in I942, and no data were obtained in I939 owing to a spring freeze. Five varieties in the variety test and 8 varieties in the nur- sery test are used as standards for comparison with strains grown less than the full period of years. i Differences in yield are small among -the Red Rustproof type strains tested. In the variety test, New Nortex has averaged about 2 bushels more than Nortex, but in the nursery there is no difference between the two varieties. As with the fall-sown oat tests, a large number of Nortex x Victoria strains were tested from I936 to I941. Although resistant to crown rust, none was of sufficient prom- ise to name and distribute commercially. The Ranger and Rustler varieties, developed for South Texas from the "same cross, are less productive at Denton from spring-seeding than the standard varie- ties. Strains from the Red Rustproofz x Victoria-Richland cross showed unusual promise in I944 and I945 when their resistance to crown and stem rust was an important factor in yield. Some of these strains may be valuable for spring varieties in North-central Texas, or may be valuable farther south where hardiness is less im- portant. The winter-type Fulghum varieties, such as Fulwin and Tennex, yield low from spring-seeding in this area because of rust damage. Also, the older Fulghum strains, such as Coker Fulghum No. 4, Kanota and Frazier, though often rust-escaping, are less produc- tive from spring-seeding than New Nortex in the Denton tests. Rust-resistant strains developed from crosses with Fulghum ap- pear the most promising now available for the Denton area, although susceptibility to Helminthosporium blight may prevent their wide- spread use. Fultex has averaged 4.8 bushels more than the standard varieties in 8 years of field-plot tests, and 4.7 bushels more in the nursery test. Victorgrain has been tested 4 years, averaging ap- proximately the same as Fultex. Many new strains developed from '4 a cross of logold-Bond x Fultex are now being tested in the repli- cated nursery. In I945 and I946, strains from this cross made out- standing yields compared with the standard varieties. - Table 7. Yields of spring-sown oat varieties and strains grown in replicated nursery plots, 1933-1946, inclusive, at Texas Substation No. 6, Denton, Texas - Average Number Yield of grain——bushels per acre ‘ ————— ———————— Variety or strain For Standard -——-— —-—-—— " years varieties C. I. T. S. 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1940 1941 1943 1944 1945 1946 grown same periOd 2381 9234 Frazier* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61.6 51.3 68.4 54.4 66.9 72.6 70.4 32.7 43.9 36.4 25.9 43.9 52.4 54 8 2382 9235 Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64.6 53.6 65 7 72.2 71.2 63.3 85.9 29.4 36.0 33.8 41.9 51.7 55.8 54 8 3422 26155 New Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 66.2 49.9 61 2 58.4 79.6 57.5 80 5 34.6 42.9 36.8 43.7 55.2 55.5 54.8 2150 9400 Ferguson 922* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61.8 51.9 64 0 71.0 57.6 52.3 97 0 31.8 37.6 37.1 41.7 55 6 54.9 54 8 2503 1118-69 Texas Red Rustpr0of* . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 68.4 52.6 60 2 69.4 61.5 69.4 84 8 33.0 37.5 29.9 40 2 46.8 54.5 54 8 . . . . . . .. 6217-43 Texas Red Rustpr0of*............... 64.3 57.2 63 0 63.4 57.3 65.2 85 7 34.6 39.4 37.7 42.8 54.3 55.4 54.8 . . . . . . .. 2805~43 Texas Red Rustproof*............... 63.8 53.8 62 2 75.0 57.2 61.1 85.1 3l._4 36.4 35.4 46 6 53.2 55.1 54.8 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 450.7370.3444.7463.845l.3441.1589 4227.5273.7247.l282.8360.7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64.4 52.9 63.5 66.3 64.5 63.0 84 2 32.5 39.1 35.3 40.4 51.5 54.5 54.8 . . . . . . .. 1415—l2 Texas Red Rustproofi............... 68.0 53.0 65 6 63.4 57.9 65.4 89.0 32.4 36.1 31.8 45.0 55.2 55.1 3417 27871 Ranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61.6 87.0 26.7 44.1 32.9 . . . . . . . . .. 50.5 50.8 3733 . . . . . . .. Rangler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37.8 40.8 42.3 40.3 38.3 3754 27908 Rustler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 63.8 86.9 26.8 25 1 55.0 . . . . . . . . .. ' 51.5 - 50.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-33-78............................. 60.2 54.8 69.5 66.8 69.5 3534 . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta. 11-34-103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 54.7 71.6 82.0 23.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 57.9 61.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-34-193................................ 49.7 70.2 65.4 70.6 3535 . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta. ll-35-41............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 71.6 80.8 30.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 60.9 59.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-35-l71..................................... 73.7 84.0 62.0 59.9 1815 . . . . . . .. Appler Rustproof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 43.5 51.9 47.7 45.9 3536 . . . . . . .. ApplerxBond, 15-34-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 50.8 62.6 81.8 27.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 55.7 61.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ApplerxBond. 52.8 61.4 833 57.1 61.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P?xVicta.-Rich.29-39-304(a)............................................... 69.7..... 41.2 55.4 43.4 R. R. PfixVictan-Rich. 29-39-308 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30.3 60.3 61.4 50.7 38.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P?xVicta.-Rich.39-39-98................................................... 69.1..... 436 56.4 43.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.PPxVict.-Rich.39-39-l00.............................................. 29.4 69.8.......... 49.6 37.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.PfixVictm-Rich.39-40-95................................................... 53.7 51.2..... 52.4 37.8 . . . . . . .. R.R.P.2xVicta.-Rich.39-40-201.................................................. 52.6 49.6488 50.0 42.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P?xVicta.-Rich.39-40-2l9.................................................. 78.6.......... 78.6 35.3 4604 . . . . . . .. R. R. PfixVictm-Rich. 39-40-223 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 36.4 44.4 40.4 43.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P.2xVicta.-Rich.39-40-227.................................................. 67.6 54.7 40.4 54.2 42.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.PflxVicta.-Rich.39-40-243.................................................. 36.5 56.1..... 46.2 37.8 4462 . . . . . . .. R. R. Pix Victa.-Rich.39-40-250. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 82.9 39.7 61.3 43 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P3XVicl.a.-Rich.39-40-290.................................................. 62.3.......... 62.3 35.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P.2xVicta.-Rich.39-40-380....................................................... 59.2 45.4 52.3 45.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P?xVicta.-Rich.39-40-426.................................................. 50.5 44.5..... 47.5 378 4662 . . . . . . .. R. R. P-Qx Victa.-Rich.39~40-427 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 49.7 44.4 47.0 45 9 2498 15827 Fulghum (winter type) . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64.7 28.7 30.0 62.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 46.11} 61 8 60 3 2500 20446 Fulghum (winter type) . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 68.7 12.7 15.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 33. 8f’ NOLLVLS LNEIWIHEIJXEI "IVHILI/IIIOIHDV SVXELL ‘I69 ‘ON NLLEITIIIH Fulwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tennex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wintok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fulghum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kanota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coker Fulghum No. 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norton N0. 4 . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fultex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fulghum x Victa. 12-33-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . Fulghum x Victa. 12-34-13... . . . . . .. Kanota x Victa. 13-33-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kanota x Victa. 13-34-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victorgrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .' . . . . . . . Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Columbia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brunker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carleton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lega . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Letoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stanton (Strain 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stanton (Strain 43-33). . . . . . . . .. DeSoto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Camillia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Osage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ventura . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neosho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cedar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Boone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fultex x Iogold-Bond, 46-42-304. . . .. . . Fultex x Iogold-Bond, 46-42-2234. . . . . Fultex x Iogold-Bond, 46-42-2870. . . . . Fultex x Iogold-Bond, 46-42-3027. . . . . Fultex x Iogold-Bond, 46-42-3028. . . . . Fultex x Iogold-Bond, 46-42-3035. . . . . Fultex x Iogold-Bond, 46-42-3070. . . . . Fultex x Iogold-Bond, 46-42-3110. . . . . Fultex x Iogold-Bond, 46-42-3113. . . . . Fultex x Iogold-Bond, 46-42-3115. . . . . Fultex x Iogold-Bond, 46-42-3132. . . . . 5&¢&§§bhb&& &L&b&é£L k#&k&@@bb$&565A&&&déb5¢&&&é§;b&&&¢h&b§&¢L&&& 3333333313@333;221231113333@¢@¢@¢;¢¢¢@¢¢@§3¢ *Standard varieties, mean of which is used for comparison with varieties grown for shorter periods. (a) (Red Rustproof 1415-8 x Victoria-Richland) x Red Rustproof 1415-8. 67 SVXIELL NI NOLLOHGOHJ JAVO 50 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION The Lee-Victoria strains, Letoria, Lelina, Stanton and DeSoto), are somewhat late maturing from spring-seeding at Denton, and: only DeSoto has exceeded the yield of the standard varieties. It? appears probable that if any of these strains find a place in T exasi’ it will be as fall-seeded varieties. The new rust-resistant varieties, Osage, Ventura and Neosho,-; and the Corn Belt rust-resistant White or yellow grained varieties, Vicland, Tama, Cedar, Boone and Clinton, have yielded Well ‘in com; parison with standard varieties during the past three wet seasons? when rust was an important factor in yield. Further testing more normal seasons is necessary to establish their value for this‘ area. All are highly susceptible to low temperatures and should - never be fall-seeded in Region 3. All, except Clinton, are highly? susceptible to Helminthosporium blight which has caused increasing" losses in recent years in this area. Variety Trials at Greenville* Small grain variety trials have been conducted at the U. S. Cot-’ ton Field Station, Greenville, Texas, since I936. Greenville is lo- cated in the northeast part of Region 3, some 5o miles northeast of Dallas. Cotton is the major cash crop, although in recent years the acreages devoted to the small grains have increased. During the first 5 seasons, the_ tests were grown in replicated j I/55-acre field plots, but during the last 6 seasons the tests have been made in replicated nursery plots. All have been fall-seeded-’ During the II-year period, only three varieties have been grown continuously. The difference in yields of the three varieties are § small, although New Nortex leads by a small margin. Many strains tested for short periods are not included in the data shown. A con- siderable number of strains from the Nortex x Victoria cross havejif. been tested but none was of sufficient value for distribution. Ranger i; and Rustler have yielded less than the Red Rustproof strains. Sev- eral Red Rustproof2 x Victoria-Richland strains, resistant to crown Cl. rust and stern rust, were tested in I945 and I946 and appear to be of promise. The early-maturing Fulghum type varieties have been damaged 1 by birds several seasons, so yield data for these are neither entire-j ly satisfactory nor comparable. The Fulghum (winter type) strains, v Fulwin and Tennex, are inferior to Red Rustproof for this area, i tendent. producing lower yields, except in I943 when winter-killing oc-E *Small grain tests conducted in cooperation with D. R. Hooton, superin- ; . a ‘ uotton Field Station, Greenville, Texas Number Yield of grain—bushels per acre Average Variety or strain For Standard years varieties C. I. T. S. 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 grown same period 2382 9235 Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 42.6 47.4 44 9 45.4 49.2 61.8 31 4 6.0 68.6 45.4 111.1 50.3 51. 3422 26155 New Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 49.8 48.1 46.8 51.0 47.5 67.0 32.4 13.0 69.4 40.9 109.3 52.3 51.4 2150 9400 Ferguson 922* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 43.5 46.4 46.4 49.6 54.7 63.5 34.6 7.2 68.8 40.4 113.2 51.7 51.4 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 135.9 141.9 138.1 146.0 151 4 192.3 98 4 26.2 206.8 126.7 333.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45.3 47.3 46.0 48.7 50 5 64.1 32.8 8.7 68.9 42.2 111.2 51.4 51.4 . . . . . . ..1415—12 TexasRedRustproof............. 47..0 50.1 49 1 50.0 51 0 73.0 322 45.3 42.9 2503 1118-69 Texas Red Rustproof............. 48.2 45.4 43 3 45.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45.7 46.8 . . . . . . ..2805—39 TexasRedRustproof............. 43.7 45.9 46.3 3417 27871 Ranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 55.1 20.6 7.4 51.8 . . . . . . . . . . .. 33.7 43.6 3754 27908 Rustler.........., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 65.4 20.0 4.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30.1 35.2 E3733 . . . . . . .. Rangler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 32.4 7.2 43.7 . . . . . . . . . . .. 38.4 38.2 3434 . . . . . . .. Nortexx Victa. 11-34-103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45.9 48.7 3535 . . . . .. NortexxVicta. 11-35-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45.9 78.3 17.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 47.3 49.1 . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta. 11-35-171 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64.3 64.1 . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta. M19-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64.0 25.7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 44.8 48.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P.2xVicta.-Rich.39-39-89(a)...................................................... 39.0 85.0 62.0 97.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P.1xVicta.-Rich.39-40-201.............................................................. 101.2 101.2 111.2 . . . . . . . . . . . .. R. R. P? x Victa.-Rich. 39-40-2l0., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 43.8 96.8 70.3 97.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.PflxVicta.-Rich.39-40-223................................................_........ 34.6 87.8 61.2 97.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P5’xVicta.-Rich.39-40-23l........................................................ 42.9...... 42.9 42.2 . . . . . . .. R. R.P.2xVicta.-Rich.39-40-250.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 42.2 101.8 72.0 97.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.P?xVicta.-Rich.39-40-272........................................................ 38.4 95.6 67.0 97.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. R.R.PflxVicta.-Rich.39-40-427.............................................................. 111.0 111.0 111.2.. i 3536 . . . . . . .. ApplerxBond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45.8 44.0 71.3 16.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 44.5 49.0 [[2381 9234 Frazier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30.1 33.8 12.5 18.6 18.2 60.9 21.4 2.3 . . . . .. 11.8 . . . . .. 23.3 42.8 - 3327 . . . . . . .. Fulton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 60.2 16.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 38.6 48.4 F 2498 15827 Fulghum (winter type)...... . 34.5 34.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 34.4 46.3 - 3168 . . . . . . .. Fulwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45.4 17.2 28.2 68.9 18.7 58.5 39.5 54.7 ' l 3169 . . . . . . .. Tennex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 53.4 17.2 27.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 32.6 35.2 l 3531 28889 Fultex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 36.9 26.3 62.5 16.2 10.8 . . . . .. 29.1 82.9 37.8 51.2 l 4383 . . . . . . .. FulwinxLee-Vict. 3770 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37.8 110.1 74.0 76.7 f- 3529 . . . . . . .. Fulghum x Victoria, 12-34-13 . . . . . . . . . . .. -. . . . .. 29.0' 34.5 24.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 29.3 48.4 3692 . . . . . . .. Victorgrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 75.0 25.4 9.7 . . . . .. 28 0 88 7 45.4 51.8 I 3693 . . . . . . .. Fulgrain Strain 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 54.8 18.6 1.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 25.1 35.2 !_ 3404 . . . . . . .. Lelina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22.5 12.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17.4 20.8 l 3392 . . . . . . .. Letoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30.1 70.7 39.7 . . . . .. 46.8 40.0 ~ 3855 . . . . . . .. Stanton Strain 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13.9 66.9 34.3 102.7 54.4 57.8 I 4315 . . . . . . .. Stanton Strain 43-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 35.6 104.3 70.0 76.7 3923 . . . . . . .. DeSoto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.2 60.6 42.8 106.9 53.6 57.8 [[4206 . . . . . . .. Traveler 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 28.2 98.2 63.2 76.7 '19 SVXHL NI NOLLOIIGOQLI LVO *Standard varieties, mean of which is“ used for comparison with other varieties grown for shorter periods. (a) (Red Rustproof 1415-8 x Victoria-Richland) x Red Rustproof 1415-8 promise based onvz-year tests. 52 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION curred. Letoria, Stanton and DeSoto have been tested for only 31; short periods. Because of its hardiness, Letoria produced high yields a in 1943. On the average, these strains do not, from data available, 3 show any superiority over Red Rustproof strains. Variety Trials at Iowa Park* Small grain variety tests have been conducted at the Iowa Park if station since 1932. Iowa Park is located in the Wichita River Val- ley (Region 2) about 12 miles west of Wichita Falls, Texas. The i; average precipitation is 31.5 inches, but additional moisture is sup-. [if plied as necessary through irrigation from Lake Kemp. The prin- cipal crops of the region are small grains, cotton and grain sor- ghum. Extensive areas are devoted to ranching. All small grain tests at Iowa Park are fall-sown. From 1932 to A 1941, the tests were planted in replicated 1/44-acre field plots, but since 1941 the tests have been planted in replicated nursery plots. . Winter-killing of oats occurred in 1933 and 1935, while differential killing of varieties occurred in 1943. In 1942, all small grains were _ destroyed by greenbugs. Only the varieties Frazier and New Nortex 3 have been grown the full II years in which yields have been ob- 9 tained. They -are used as standard varieties with which to c0mpare_ . other varieties grown for shorter periods. Average yields reported are higher than would be expected un- der dryland farming’ in the area. New Nortex has yielded approx- ‘ imately 2o bushels per acre more than Frazier for the 11 years tested. Differences in yield among the Red Rustproof strains are probably within the limits of error. Ranger and Rustler and other _ Nortex x Victoria strains, were of little promise for the area as in- dicated in these tests. The winter-hardy varieties, Tennex, Fulwin and Wintok, have not yielded as well as New Nortex at this sta-_ ption. However, they are more winter-hardy and may survive from . fall-seeding more often. Theyhave produced high yields under i. dryland conditions at Chillicothe, Texas, and at Lawton, Okla. Ful- * win x Lee-Victoria (C.L. 4383) appears to be a promising new rust-resistant hardy strain from limited tests in this area. Fultex has been one of the leading varieties in yield at Iowa Park and Chillicothe, Texas, and Lawton, Okla., in the Rolling Plains area; it has also given satisfactory results in commercial production. The Lee x Victoria strains Letoria, Stanton and DeSoto appear of some ‘ *Tests conducted in cooperation with L. E. Brooks, superintendent. T6$1awa Park, Texas Average Number Yield of grain—bushels per acre ———— l——— Variety or strain For Standard years varieties C. I T. S. 1932 1934 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1943 1944 1945 1946 grown same period 2381 9234 Frazier* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 84.2 77.6 62.8 36.0 29.2 88.9 31.4 32.7 5.1 47.8 70.0 50.8 51.4 62.0 3422 26155 New Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 110.3 108.8 84.4 47.0 38.2 112.6 48.0 47.0 24.6 74.2 96.0 81.4 72.7 62.0 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 194.5186.4147.2 83.0 67.4201.5 79.4 79.7 29.7122.0166.0132.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 97.2 93.2 73.6 41.5 33.7100.8 39.7 39.8 14.8 61.0 83.0 66.1 62.0 62.0 2382 9235 Nortex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 108.4 94.0 77.7 46.0 34.4 . . . . . . . . .. 45 3 12.9 70.6 100.2 62.7 65.2 60.4 2503 1118-69 Texas Red Rustproof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 102.2 105.9 82.5 50.0 35.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 75.2 67.8 . . . . . . .. 1415—12 Texa Red Rustproof............................... 45.3 35.6114.4 51.2 42.9 51.9 45.0 2150 9400 Ferguson 922 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 117.8 46.6 48.4 10. 61.6 99.2 66.5 64.3 57.9 3417 27871 Ranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 33.1 12. 2 68.8 . . . . . . . . .. 38.1 38.6 3754 27908 Rustler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 31.8 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17.0 27.4 3733 . . . . . . .. Rangler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6.8 63.5 99.2 56.5 52.9 3535 . . . . . . .. Nortexx Victa. 11-35-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 33.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 33.9 39.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-35-l77............................................... 31.2 39.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.ll-36-41................................................ 35.8 39.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.M19-35................................................. 28.2 39.8 3717 . . . . . . .. R. R. PfixVictm-Rich. (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.3 14.8 3720 . . . . . . .. R. R.P.2x Victm-Rich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11.4 14.8 3725 . . . . . . .. R. R. PJxVictm-Rich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3.0 14.8 3536 . . . . . . .. Applerx Bond, 15-34-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 38.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 38.5 39.8 2498 15827 Fulghum (winter type) . . . . . . . . . 82.0 84.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 83.3 95.2 3168 . . . . . . .. Fulwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11.5 24.0 66.4 70.4 70.8 48.6 53.0 3169 . . . . . . .. Tennex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15.6 22.9 59.4 65.8 40.9 49.7 3170 . . . . . . .. Forkdeer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22. 9 14.8 3424 . . . . . . .. Wintok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 19.0 65.8 75.2 93.7 63.4 56.2 3327 . . . . . . .. Fulton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. 27.0 5.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16.2 27.4 839 7173 Kanota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 29. 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 29.7 39. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. KanotaxVicta.13-34-13................................................ 32.0 39.8 3531 28889 Fultex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 101.3 42.2 40.8 17.3 60.6 84.4 71.8 59.8 57.9 3692 . . . . . . . . Victorgrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.3 10.3 53.8 81.4 85.0 53.0 53.0 3693 . . . . . . .. Fulgrain Strain 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30.6 7.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18.9 27.4 3404 . . . . . . .. Lelina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 21.7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 21.7 14.8 3392 . . . . . . .. Letoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 78.3 97.0 83.8 86.4 70.0 3855 . . . . . . .. Stanton Strain 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 66.0 84.0 86.5 78.8 70.0 4315 . . . . . . .. Stanton Strain 43-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . .. 97.6 75.2 86.4 74.6 4206 . . . . . . .. Traveler 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 95.4 95.4 83.0 4383 . . . . . . . . Fulwin x Lee-Victa. 3770 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70.7 85.6 85.4 80.6 70.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FulwinxLee-Victa.3832........................................................... 70.4 88.2..... 79.3 74.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FulwinxLee-Victa.38l8............................................................... 88.0..... 88.0 83.0 3923 . . . . . . .. Desoto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 27.0 65.6 84.2 58.9 52.9 *Standard varietie, mean of which is ued for comparison with other varieties. (a) (Red Rustproof x Victoria~Richland) x Red Rustproof 1415-8. 89 SVXELL NI NOLLOIICIOI-Id LVO 54 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Variety Trials at Chillicothe* The Chillicothe station is located in the northern part of Region 2 in the Rolling Plains area of Central-west Texas. The mean an- nual precipitation is 24.4 inches. Principal crops in the area are grain sorghum, cotton and wheat. Extensive areas are devoted to ranching. From 1919 to 1928, inclusive, variety tests of - spring-sown oats were conducted in 1/ 44-acre field plots. Complete failure of oats be- cause of drouth and other hazards occurred in 1922, 1923 and 1925. Five varieties were grown the full 10-year period, and of these, Frazier produced the highest average yield, 21 bushels per acre. Nor- tex, grown during the same period, yielded about 2 bushels less than Frazier. At the end of this period, it was concluded that spring- sown oats were not a profitable crop and the test was abandoned. Because of the introduction‘ of more winter-hardy strains of oats and the interest in fall-sown oats, variety tests were again inaugu» rated in 1942 on a nursery-plot basis. The 1942 crop was destroyed by greenbugs. Data for the 1943, 1944, 1945. and 1946 crops» are presented in Table 11. Differential winter-killing of varieties oc- curred in 1943 and 1944, causing wide fluctuations in yields. No adequate explanation is known for the wide fluctuations in yields in 1945. Five varieties, grown all three seasons, are used as standard varieties for comparison with varieties grown for shorter periods. Of these five, Fulwin leads in yield because of its winter-hardiness. The other winter-hardy varieties, Tennex, Forkedeer and Wintok. also yielded well, which agrees with results obtained at: the nearby Lawton, Okla., station for longer periods. The Fulwin x Lee-Victoria strains, especially C.I. 4383, appear promising on the basis of tests in two seasons. The Lee-Victoria strains, Letoria and Stanton, which are slightly more winter-hardy than the Red Rustproof strains, yielded well in the past two seasons but DeSoto was less promising at Chillicothe. The Red Rustproof strains yielded less than the more winter- hardy varieties. Strains developed from hybrids with Red Rust- proof such as Ranger, Rustler, Rangler and the Red Rustproof? x Victoria-Richland strains, are too susceptible to low temperatures to be grown from fall-seeding in this area. Fultex has produced ex- ceptionally high yields at Chillicothe, and has survived the win- ters better than Red Rustproof strains. This is in agreement with its record at Iowa Park, Texas, and at Lawton, Okla. Victorgrain has averaged nearly 1o bushels per acre less than Fultex. *Tests conducted in cooperation with J. Roy Quinby, superintendent. Table 10. Yields of spring-sown oat varieties and strains grown in replicated field plots, 1919-1928, inclusive, Texas Sub- station No. 12, Chillicothe, Texas Average Number Yield of grain—bushels per Acre Variety or strain For Standard years varieties C. I. T. S 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 grown same period 2382 9235 Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 36.3 56.5 13.0 0 0 22.9 0 49.8 8.8 6.7 19.4 19.1 . . . . . . .. 1401 Appler Rustproof*.................... 27.5 45.0 11.5 0 0 30.9 0 50.2 8.4 7.0 18.1 19.1 . . . . . . .. 1415 Texas Red Rustproof*................ 30.5 44.2 22.5 0 0 28.1 0 45.0 10.4 6.9 18.8 19.1 . . . . . . .. 775 Alabama Red Rustproof*............. 34.2 50.5 13.0 0 0 27.3 0 59.0 11.4 8.0 20.3 19.1 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 128.5 196.2 60.0 0 0 109.2 0 204.0 39.0 28.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 32.1 49.0 15.0 0 0 27.3 0 51.0 9.8 7.2 19.1 19.1 . . . . . . .. 776 TexasRedRustprooL................ 40.2 52.5 9.2 0 0 20.4 19.2 . . . . . . .. 986 McReynoldsRedRustproof......................................... 26.3 0 50.3 10.6...... 21.8 29.4 . . . . . . .. 985 23.5 0 54.0 12.1 7.5 19.4 19.0 . . . . . . .. 1414 Bicknell............................. 22.3 45.0 11.0 0 0 15.9 19.2 . . . . . . .. 1409 Culberson........................... 27.0 58.5 34.8 32.0 . . . . . . .. 782 24.5 0 60.2 12.0 4. 20.2 19.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Frazier, 765-16-1..................... 36.5 66.8 9.0 0 0 25.5 0 55.4 13.0 3.5 21.0 19.1 839 7173 Kanota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 28.4 0 60.6 13.7 4. 21.4 19.0 *Standard varieties, mean of which is used for comparison with varieties grown for shorter periods. SVXELL NI NOLLOQGOHJ LVO Table 11. Yields of fall-sown oat varieties and strains grown in replicated nursery plots, 1942-1946, inclusive, at Texas Substation No. 12, Chillicothe, Texas " Average Average of Number Yield of grain—bushels per acre for standard ———————————— Variety or strain years varieties C. I. T. S. " 1943 1944 1945 1946 grown same period 2382 9235 Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61.2 13.6 53.6 37.8 41 6 45.6 3422 26155 New Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ." . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75.0 21.6 64.2 44.2 51 2 45.6 2150 9400 Ferguson 922* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59.6 29 5 70.2 27.2 46 6 45.6 3168 . . . . . . .. Fulwin* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 72.3 31 4 73.2 32. 7 52 4 45.6 2381 9234 Frazier* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 63.4 27 6 34.4 19.6 36 2 45.6 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 331.5 123 7 295.6 161 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 66.3 24 7 59.1 32 3 45.6 45. 6 . . . . . . .. 1415-12 TexasRedRustproof............................................ 60.0 60.0 66.3 3417 27871 Ranger. .' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 48.9 23.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 36.0 45.5 3754 27908 Rustler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32. 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.7 66.3 3733 . . . . . . .. Rangler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 42.1 37 0 56 1 . . . . . . .. 45.1 50.0 3717 . . . . . . . . Red Rustproof? x Victoria-Richland (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.3 66.3 3720 . . . . . . . . Red Rustproof? x Victoria-Richland (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56. 6 66.3 3725 . . . . . . . . Red Rustproof? x Victoria-Richland (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43.8 66. 3 3424 . . . . . . .. Wintok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 74.5 37.0 84.7 36.1 58.0 45.6 3170 . . . . . . .. Forkedeer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 46.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 46.3 66.3 3169 . . . . . . .. Tennex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 38.2 80.0 59.1 41.9 4383 . . . . . . . . Fulwin x Lee-Victoria, Sel. 3770 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.3 83.4 33.6 50.1 38. 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FulwinxLee-Victoria,Sel.3832................................... 310 68.9 50.0 41.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FulwinxLee-Victoria,Sel.3818................................... 80.0 80.0 59.1 4206 . . . . . . . . Traveler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83.8 . . . . . . . . 83.8 59.1 3392 . . . . . . .. Letoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 29.9 57.9 42.5 43.4 38.7 3855 . . . . . . . . Stanton Strain 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35.9 103.0 43.4 60.8 38. 7 4315 . . . . . . . . Stanton Strain 43-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83.8 43.8 63.8 45.7 3923 . . . . . . .. DeSoto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61.8 18.2 64.2 . . . . . . .. 48.1 50.0 3404 . . . . . . . . Lelina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.8 66.3 3692 . . . . . . . . Victorgrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60.4 29 1 91.9 32 7 53. 5 45 . 6 3693 . . . . . . . . Fulgrain Strain 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.9 66.3 3531 28889 Fultex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 71.1 32.9 111.9 38.7 63.6 45.6 3327 . . . . . . .. Fulton . . . . . ..- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16.6 66.3 *Standard varieties, mean of which is used for comparison with varieties grown for shorter periods. (a) (Red Rustproof 1415-8 x Victoria-Richland) x Red Rustproof 1415-8. 99 NOLLVLS LNEINIHEIJXEI "IVHIILTQOIHDV SVXELL ‘I69 ‘ON NIJIJTIIIH OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 57 Variety Trials at Amarillo* Tests of fall-sown oats were started at the Amarillo Conserva- tion Experiment Station in 1942 but had to be discontinued after the one season because of reduction of personnel during World War II. Amarillo is located in the Texas Panhandle, Region I of Figure 2. The elevation is 3,657 feet and the mean annual precipitation is 21.01 inches. Principal crops in this area are wheat and grain sor- ghums. Extensive areas are devoted to ranching. Table 12. Yields of fall-sown oat varieties grown in replicated nursery tests at the Amarillo Conservation Experiment Station, Amarillo, Texas, 1942 Number —-—-i Variety Grain yield C. I. T. S. bushels per acre 3527 . . . . . . . . Woodward composit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.0 3170 . . . . . . . . Forkedeer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46.8 3169 . . . . . . .. Tennex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47.0 3168 . . . . . . .. Fulwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 41.6 3531 28889 Fultex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 . 5 2499 . . . . . . . . Fulghum (winter type) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.4 The I942 season was a favorable crop season. All varieties of oats survived the winter and, had it not been for rust damage in the spring, oats would have produced very high yields. Crown (leaf) rust was an important factor in yield, which is unusual in that area. The highest yields were produced by Fulghum (winter type, C.I. 2499) and Tennex, although differences in yield were small. It seems probable from these data and observations under limited commercial production that the very hardy varieties, such as Win- tok, Tennex and Fulwin, may be used for fall-seeding in the High Plains area. Winter-killing would occur rather frequently but, be- cause of their value for fall pasture, and for those who value oats as a bundle feed or for grain for breeding stock, the risk might be worthwhile. No recent tests have been made from spring-seeding, but commercial production in favorable seasons consists largely of the varieties Kanota, Fulton and Red Rustproof strains. Variety Trials at Temple? The Temple station is located in the central Blacklands 3 miles south of Temple, Texas. The mean annual precipitation is 35.2 inches. The principal crops in the area are cotton, corn, grain sor- ghums and oats. *Tests—conducted by David A. Reid, agronomist. Cooperative project be- tween the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Soil Conserva- tion Service, U. S. Department of "Agriculture. ~ tTests conducted in cooperation with H. O. Hill, superintendent. Table 13. Yields of fall-sown oat varieties grown in replicated nursery plots, 1936-1941, inclusive, at Texas Substation No. 5, Temple, Texas U! @ Average Number Yield of grain—bushels per acre Variety or strain Standard w —*———————i— For years varieties C: C. I. T. S. 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 grown same period t. b‘ » B1 2382 9235 Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64.5 69.0 59.4 56.3 36.0 33.7 53. 2 52.1 {j 2766 20456 Alber* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 69.9 66.4 48.7 ° 50.6 27.8 34.6 49.7 52.1 z 2861 . . . . . . .. Country Common* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 83.2 61.8 51.4 - 51.7 33.8 38.7 53.4 52.1 z Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217.6 197.2 159.5 158.6 97.6 107.0 156.3 . . . . . . . . . . .. .9 Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 72.5 65.7 53.2 52.9 32.5 35.7 52 1 52.1 q; t0 3422 26155 New Nortex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 67.6 39.0 36 6 47.7 40.4 r 3417 27871 Ranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 58.3 66.3 53.6 29.3 37 4 49.0 48.0 H 3754 27908 Rustler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 33.0 58.3 68.2 53.1 26.2 32 7 45.2 52.1 F! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 92.8 59.0 52.4 48.0 22.8 39 5 52.4 52.1 >4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,M19-7................................ 64.6 74.4 53.4 34.0 352 52.3 48.0 a . . ._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nortex x Victoria, M19-7-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.3 38. 5 32.4 34.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 45.6 62.6 60.0 54.1 25.0 35.4 47.1 52.1 11> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,M19-8-2...................................................... 29.9 30.9 30.4 34.1 Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,M19-17-1..................................................... 31.4 36.3 34.1 34.1 E’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,M19-19-1..................................................... 29.2 29.6 29.4 34.1 O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 62.9 51.3 46.3 29.4 39.5 45.9 48.0 C: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,M19-29-1..................................................... 31.2 32.3 31.3 34.1 5' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 69.7 63.0 53.6 31.9 38.4 51.3 48.0 C: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 57.8 71.5 58.6 51.0 26.8 39.4 50.8 52.-l w . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 57.3 ~ 62.2 55.1 30.1 37.6 48.5 48.0 > . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 64.7 66.0 58.3 35.4 34.6 51.8 48.0 r1 3534 . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 11-34-103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 62.0 23.6 36.7 40.8 40.4 m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,11-35-8....................................................... 28.0 40.5 34.2 34.1 >4 3535 . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 11-35-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 31.0 34.0 32.5 34.1 >5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,11-35-58....................................................... 27.6 35.0 31.3 34.1 p1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,11-36-134..................................................... 21.6 32.2 26.9 34.1 5U 2401 18562 Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.4 41.8 43.7 59.4 22.2 34.8 34.0 52.1 g 2733 20451 Bond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 23.2 . . . . . . .. 53.6 47.0 25.0 29.8 35.7 49.3 F; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FergusonxAlber, 50.2 52.4 38.8 28.6 32.8 40.6 48.0 z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxBerger........................................ 52.8 49.1 39.2 34.4 338 41.9 48.0 >5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxAlber,.M10-11......................... 52.3 54.2 54.3 27.2 31 4 43.9 48.0 m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. LeexVictorimArk. 74.5 58.4 48.2 21.4 36.4 47.8 48.0 a 3531 28889 Fultex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 49.7 26.2 28 8 34.9 40.4 > 3528 . . . . . . .. FulghumxVictoria, 12-33-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 52.6 53.0 22.8 31 4 40.0 43.5 H 3529 . . . . . . .. FulghumxVictoria, 12-34-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 48.6 27.4 35.0 37 0 40.4 6 3533 . . . . . . .. KanotaxVictoria, 13-33-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 71.0 52.2 35.3 30 8 47.3 43.5 z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. KanotaxVictoria,13-34-12...................... .. 31.2 356 334 34.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. KanotaxVictoria,13-34-13...................... 27.8 354 316 34.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Appler&Bondi,15-34-63........................ .. 30.9 35.6 33.2 34.1 3692 . . . . . . . . Victorgrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.8 33.8 35.7 3855 Stanton Strain 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26.6 26.6 85.7 OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 59 From 1936 t0 1941, oat variety tests from fall-seeding were con- ducted in replicated rod-row nursery plots. The varieties, Nortex, Alber and Country Common, are used as standard varieties for comparison with hybrid strains. Country Common and Nortex pro- duced the highest yields for the 7-year period. Nortex has a high average yield due largely to its exceptionally high yield in I936. Among the varieties grown during the 5-year period, 1937 to 1941, several selections from the cross Nortex x Victoria (in- cluding the named variety, Ranger) gave average yields slightly above the average of the standard varieties. Several varieties that were grown for only 3 years gave average yields above the standard varieties. New Nortex gave a 3-year aver- age yield of 61.5 bushels per acre, which was 7.3 bushels above the average of the standard varieties. It appears from these tests that none of the new varieties having the high resistance to crown rust derived from Victoria or Bond is superior in yielding ability in the Temple area to the commonly grown strains of the Texas Red type such as Nortex and New Nor- tex, which have only a moderate degree of resistance to crown rust. Variety Trials at College Station The Main Station Farm is located in the post oak strip of South- central Texas in Brazos County, one-half mile west of College Sta- tion. The mean annual precipitation is 38.8 inches The principal cultivated crops in the area are cotton, corn and truck crops. The upland soils represented by the station are sandy, poorly drained and of low fertility, and consequently poorly adapted to small grain production, although fair yields of rust-resistant varieties may be obtained through the use of liberal amounts of commercial fertiliz- ers. From 1936 to 1941, oat variety tests from fall-seeding were conducted in replicated rod-row nursery plots. Among the 15 varie- ties grown for the full 6-year period, the highest average yield was made by Ranger, avselection from a cross between Nortex and Vic- toria. The average yield of Ranger was 49.7 bushels per acre, or 9 bushels above its Nortex parent. In more recent years, several strains included in the tests for shorter periods have slightly outyielded the standard varieties, but few are outstanding. Table 14. Yields of fall-sown ‘oat varieties grown in replicated nursery plots at Main Station Farm, College Station, Texas, 1936-1941, inclusive c: Q . Average Number Yield of grain—bushels per acre Variety or strain i Standard w -{—~—————-——— _ For years varieties C: C- I- T- S- 1936 1937 r1938 1939 1940 1941 grown same-period b‘ t" . t1! 3417 27871 Ranger* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 59.2 41.5 56. 9 28.8 46.1 55.8 49.7 44.5 [j 3754 27908 Rustler* . . . . . . . . . .., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 66.7 24.7 46.2 28.2 36.3 63.4 44.2 44.5 z ' 2382 9235 Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 47.2 33.6 40.8 29.3 34.1 59.4 40.7 44.5 2766 20456 Alber* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45.8 32. 9 49. 9 29.1 41.0 61.8 43 ._4 44.5 g Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 228.9 132 7 193.8 115.4 157.5 240.4 , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. a Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 57.2 33 2 48.4 28.8 39.4 60.1 44.5 44.5 ‘,5 2733 20451 Bond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 39.2 39.8 55.7 33.0 31.8 64.9 44.1 44.5 H 2401 18562 Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 32.8 54.2 33. 2 25.8 53.0 39.8 42.0 P1 2861 . . . . . . .. Country Common . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 35.8 50.4 29.8 29.4 69.6 43.0 42.0 >4 3422 26155 New Nortex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30.7 ' 38.4 56.7 41.9 42.8 a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 45.1 33.0 52.6 28.9 40.1 73.6 45.6 44.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, ~34.1 33.7 49.8 29.4 44.4 71.4 43.8 44.5 I> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,M19-7-2...................... 31.4 67.4 52.4 491- Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 54.2 32.3 60.1 24.0 29.6 68.1 44.7 44.5 a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,M19-8-2...................... 36.1 57.4 46.8 49.7 Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,M19-17-1..................... 37.0 66.1 51.6 49.7 C: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. Nortexxvictoria.M19-19-1..................... 32.0 51.0 44.5 49.7 Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 51.5 28.4 46.9 28.4 38.2 62.3 42.6 44.5 c1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,M19-29-1............‘......... 44.5 63.7 54.1 49.7 p; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 44.2 30.2 52.1 31.6 36.9 53.4 41.4 44.5 ;> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 37.3 28.0 59.6 29.4 37.6 66.4 43.0 44.5 L" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 46.8 32.2 43.4 26.8 42.4 62.9 42.4 44.5 m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 35.7 31.5 52.8 29.2 43.8 61.4 42.4 44.5 >4 3534 . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 11-34-103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30.8 36.6 62.4 43.3 42.8 rg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,11-35-8....................... 39.0 51.6 45.3 49.7 -m 3535 . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria, 11-35-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 32.4 59.8 46.1 49.7 :13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,11-35-58...................... 38.2 70.2 54.2 49.7 a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVictoria,11-36-134..................... 35.3 57.0 46.2 49.7 m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NorteXxAlber, 60.0 '34.6 59.6 32.2 35.1 57.9 46.6 44.5 Z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxBerger, 54.1 33.8 59.2 29.0 36.9 59.8 45.5 44.5 H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FergusonxAlber, 53.5 35.5 66.2 29.8 29.2 69.7 47.3 44.5 m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ApplerxBond,15-34-63......................... 44.4 64.4 54.4 49.7 g 3855 . . . . . . .. Stanton (Coker 40-5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 42.2 42.2 60.1 11> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. LeexVictoria,Ark.x2-25....................... 411 30.2 414 67.4 45.0 44.2 j 3692 . . . . . . . . Victorgrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59.0 59.0 60.1 Q 3531 28889 Fultex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.4 31 .5 63.0 42.6 42.8 Z 3528 . . . . . . .. FulghumxVictoria, 12-33-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37.3 40.6 36.8 29.2 57.6 40.3 42.0 3529 . . . . . . .. FulghumxVictoria, 12-34-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 34.2 41.7 74.2 50.0 42.8 3533 . . . . . . . . Kanota x Victoria, 13-33-70 . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40. 1 50.6 30.8 31 . 6 50.2 40. 7. 42.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. KanotaxVlctorid.13-34-12............ 86.0 52.8 44.4 49.7. . . . . . . . . . . ping»;;vlqaorlaylafaa-ia...................... 3a).: 51.0 4a.: A_40.1_ i OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS < e1 Variety Trials at Beeville* The Beeville station is located in the Rio Grande Plains area 5.5 miles northeast of Beeville. The annual average precipitation is 30.7 inches. The principal crops are cotton, corn, grain sorghums, broomcorn and vegetables. Extensive areas are devoted to ranching. From 1936 to 1941, oat variety tests were conducted in rod-row nursery plots. In 1936 and I937, the varieties were grown in sin- ~ gle unguarded rod-rows, and because of border effects and differ- ential injury by birds and rodents, reliable yield comparisons were not obtained. These tests gave indications, however, that some of the new crown rust-resistant varieties had considerable promise for both grain production and winter pasture. From 1938 to 1941, replicated nurseries consisting of 44 varieties were grown. The nursery was severely injured by a spring drouth in 1938. This was followed by a severe epidemic of stem rust which completely de- stroyed all varieties that had survived the drouth. The nurseries grown in 1939 and 1940 were also destroyed by the great drouths of those years that extended over the greater part of Southwestern Texas. Conditions were closer to normal in 1941, and in that year many of the new crown rust-resistant selections gave excellent yields in comparison with the old Red Rustproof types. Yields of the 44 varieties grown in replicated nursery plantings in 1941 are given in Table 15. Satisfactory yields were produced by Ranger, Rustler and Fultex. Since 1942, the Rustler and Ranger varieties have been grown commercially with fair success in the Beeville area. Variety Trials at AngletonT The Angleton station is located on the Coastal Prairie 3 miles northeast of Angleton. The annual average precipitation is 46.5 inches. The principal crops grown in the area are rice, cotton and corn. Extensive areas are devoted to ranching. From 1938 to 1940, oat varietal tests were conducted in replicated rod-row nursery plots. The strains included in the nursery con- sisted of crown rust-resistant selections of crosses with Victoria and Bond grown in comparison with parental and commercial va- rieties. The varieties Nortex, Ranger and Rustler are used as stand- ard varieties for comparison with new strains in Table 1=5. The .same strains were grown at Beeville in I941 and data are included in the same table. *Tests conducted in cooperation with R. A. Hall, superintendent. ‘fTests conducted in cooperation with R. H. Stansel, formerly superin- tendent. Table 15. Yields of fall-sown oats at Texas Substation N0. 3, Angleton, Texas, 1938-1940, inclusive; and at Texas Sub- station N0. 1, Beeville, Texas, in 1941 Angleton, Texas Average of Number Average standard Variety or strain Yield per acre——bushels for years varieties Beeville U! —i—————i grown same years 1941 C! C. I. T. S. 1938 1939 1940 p E 2382 9235 Nortex* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10.4 44.2 41.4 32 0 33.3 3.1 '-' 2766 20456 Alber* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8.2 52.8 33.8 31 6 33.3 5.0 z 3417 27871 Ran er* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11.9 53.3 37 4 '34 2 33.3 27.2 z _ 3754 27908 Rusler* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14.1 60.8 30 9 35 3 33.3 28.8 _Q Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 44.6 211.1 143 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64.1 3,3 Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11.2 52.8 35 9 33.3 33 3 16.0 t" 2733 20451 Bond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18.3 58.0 33.2 36.5 33 3 15.4 a 2401 18562 Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14.3 49.7 22.0 28.7 33 3 27.4 >4 2861 . . . . . . .. Country Common . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13.1 44.8 32.0 30.0 33 3 5.4 :> 3422 26155 New Nortex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 41.0 28.0 34.7 44 3 4.0 U1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.M19-2...........................-............ 11.9 62.6 32.8 35.8 333 26.7 h, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.M19-7....................................... 15.1 58.1 42.4 38.8 333 24.6 Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.M19-7-2..................................... 37.4 37.4 359 27.1 w . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.M19-8....................................... 13.3 59.0 35.6 36.0 33.3 31.8 a‘ . . . . . . NortexxVicta.M19-8-2..................................... 39.5 39.5 35.9 28.4 C; _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Nortex x Victa. M19-17-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37.1 37.1 35.9 28.4 [-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.M18-18-1.................................... 38.5 38.5 35.9 29.8 P] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.M19-29...................................... 11.9 64.2 33.6 36.6 333 22.8 C: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.M19-29-1.................................... 33.9 33.9 359 30.8 F“ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..NortexxVicta.M19-34...................................... 8.8 56.8 35.4 33.7 33.3 27.9 g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.M19-35...................................... 14.6 60.3 35.8 36.9 33.3 29.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.M19-38...................................... 13.5 62.4 37.6 37.8 333 28.9 F! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.M19-46...................................... 12.9 51.9 37.7 34.2 33.3 26.9 >4 3534 . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta. 11-34-103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 55.6 34.0 44.8 44.3 26.8 g 3535 . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta. 11-35-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 33.0 33.0 35 9 27.2 w . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxVicta.11-35-8...................................... 40.0 40.0 359 28.2 --¢ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxAlber,M9-l0....................................... 18.2 49.8 32.4 33.5 333 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxAlber,M10-11...................................... 15.9 52.4 35.2 34.5 333 18.8 m ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NortexxBerger, M5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 12.4 36.8 31 8 27.0 33 3 13.0 E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FergusonxAlber,M4-5...................................... 18.2 47.0 35.6 33.6 33.3 21.7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ApplerxBond,15-34-63...................................... 39.9 39.9 35.9 24.4 m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. LeeXVicta.Ark.x2-25...................................... 5.0 48.4 37.8 30.4 33.3 25.4 E 3855 . . . . . . .. Stanton (Coker 40-5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16.8 a 3531 28889 Fultex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.2 22.5 35.4 44.3 26.2 >-< 2528 . . . . . . .. FulghumxVictoria, 12-33-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 20.0 53.0 29.4 34.1 33.3 15.4 o 3529 . . . . . . .. FulghumxVictoria, 12-34-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 48.7 23.2 35.5 44.3 21.6 z 3533 . . . . . . .. KanotaxVictoria, 13-33-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15.4 55.8 37 6 36.3 33.3 5.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. KanotaxVictoria,13-34-12............................... .. 38.0 38.0 35.9 25.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. KanotaxVlctorla,13-34-13............................. .. 35.8 35.8 35.9 24.3 8692 Vlctorgrahu! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 23.4 I H‘ i 7 - ~' , ‘.1,YIM"I;’)"‘P!'P"m'(¢<~;I—1"}'*"Fv!“'"flV>“YH7“4~v"'~=‘>@‘.g@klfl~filflf. wi-‘v- - v 1 i i OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 63 Rust is less serious in the Angleton area than farther west in the State. Consequently, the commercial red oat varieties have given fair yields. However, manyiof the new hybrid strains, particularly Fultex and the Nortex xVictoria selections, have given higher average yields than any of the Red Rustproof types. The Ranger and Rustler varieties, and to a smaller extent Fultex and Victor- grain, have rapidly expanded commercial oat production. However, these varieties have recently been found to be very susceptible to Helminthosporium blight in this area, especially when grown on poorly drained soils. Where trouble is experienced with this dis- ease, the Alber and Camellia may give better results, although Al- ber is less resistant to crown rust than the Victoria and Bond hybrid strains. Variety Trials at Weslaco* The Weslaco station is located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley about 3 miles east of Weslaco. The average annual precipitation is- 24 inches, but only 6.94 inches of this amount falls during the small grain growing season of November to March, inclusive. Con- sequently, it is necessary to irrigate small grains occasionally dur- ing the growing season. The principal crops grown are citrus, vege- tables and cotton. Observation oat nurseries consisting of single rod-row plots were grown at Weslaco in 1940, I941 and I942, none of which gave re- liable yield comparisons. The nursery was completely destroyed by storms in 1941, and birds injured some of the varieties in 1940 and I942. Strains included in the test were from compound crosses with Table 16. Yields of fall-sown oat varieties grown in single rod-row nursery plots at Texas Substation N0. 15 at Weslaco in 1940 to 1942, inclusive . Yield of grain—bus_hels per acre Variety 1940-42 1940 1941 (a) 1942 average Ranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.7 . . . . . . . . . . New Nortex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (d) 0.0 . . . . . . . . .. 5.8 2.9 X35CL-2-l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 49. 6 . . . . . . . . .. 35.8 42. 7 X35CL-2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69. 3 . . . . . . . . . . 36.1 52 7 1415-8 x 5542-1 x 34BP-4-25-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75.9 . . . . . . . . . . 32.8 54.4 1415-8 x 5542-1 x 34BP-4-25-71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . (c) . . . . . . . . . . (b) 6.6 . . . . . . . . .. 1415-8 x 5542-1 x 34BP-2-30-4 . . . . . . . . . ..... (b) 17 1 . . . . . . . . .. 39.1 28.1 1415-8 x 5542-1 x 34BP-2-30-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . (c) . . . . . . . . . . 51.5 . . . . . . . . . . 5542-1 x 1415-8 x 34BQ-3-24-5 . . . . . . ........ (b) 20.0 . . . . . . . . .. (b) 20.7 . . . . . . . . . . 5542-1 x 1415-8 x 34BQ-3-24-l9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 27.3 . . . . . . . . .. 5542-l x 1415-8 x 34BQ-3-36-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 98.5 . . . . . . . . .. 49.5 74.0 (a) Destroyed by storms. (b) Injured by birds. (c) Destroyed by birds. (d) Destroyed by rust. *Tests at Weslaco made in cooperation with W. H. Friend, superintendent. 64 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Red Rustproof, all being resistant to crown rust and t0 some races of stem rust. New Nortex and Ranger were included as standards for comparison. Although no satisfactory yield data were obtained, observations and limited data indicate clearly that rust-susceptible varieties, such as New Nortex, are not dependable for grain production in that area. Ranger gave a yield of 31.7 bushels per acre in 1942, which would not be profitable under irrigation. Several early-maturing selections from crosses on Red Rustproof gave satisfactory yields i i4 -. “-1... in 1940 and 1942. Selection 3-36-6 from Victoria-Richland x Red = Rustproofz produced a 2-year average yield of 74 bushels per acre. " Before bird injury, several other strains appeared even more prom- ising. Selection 32-24-5 from the same cross has proved especially p adapted for the production of hay, pasture and dehydrated cereal leafrneal, and was released under the name Verde. Under commer- cial production, it was seriously damaged in .1945 by Helmintho- sporium blight and in certain other seasons by race 8 and 1o of stem rust. Summary Oats rank fifth in acreage among the farm crops of Texas, being exceeded by cotton, corn, wheat and grain sorghums in the order named. In the Central Texas Blackland area where the crop is best adapted, oats rank second only to cotton in acreage and value of the crop. The acreage and production in the western part of the State varies greatly, depending upon spring moisture conditions. The acreage of oats in South Texas has increased and will continue to increase as ample seed supplies of new rust-resistant varieties be- come available. In Central Texas, nearly all oats are fall-sown in the southern part of the area; and more than half are fall-sown in the northern part of this area. In the Rolling Plains area a large proportion are fall-sown, the remainder spring-sown; while in the High Plains area nearly all oats are spring-sown. The yields of oats in pounds and in feeding value per acre are equal or superior to other grain crops in Central Texas. . In the western part of the State, where precipitation is lower, oats yield less than grain sorghum, barley or wheat. In addition to grain production, oats provide a valuable winter pasture crop for much of the State; and provide a winter cover on land to prevent soil ero- sion. Practically all oats produced in Texas are utilized as feed for livestock within ‘the State. As a grain feed for breeding stock, oats are unsurpassed. As a pasture crop, oats are the most palatable of the small grains and this green forage contains from 25 to 3o percent protein (dry basis). OAT PRODUCTION IN TEXAS 65 Oats fit into the rotation in a manner similar t0 other small grains. In Central Texas, oats follow corn or cotton in the rotation most often as these crops provide satisfactory seedbeds. A common and inexpensive seedbed is that of drilling in the cotton stalks after only a light cultivation with a disc harrow or spring-tooth cultiva- tor to level the ground. In \/Vest Texas, oats may follow nearly any crop since oats are spring-sown only in favorable seasons. In Cen- tral Texas, oats may be fall-sown from September to November, depending upon weather conditions and the needs of the growers for pasture. Optimum seeding dates are October I5 for fall-seeding and January I5 for spring-seeding. In South Texas, fall-seedings may be made somewhat later. In the Rolling Plains area, fall-seed- ings should be made between September 15 and October I 5 for grain production, and spring-seedings before March I. Fall-sown oats are hazardous in the High Plains area. If such plantings are made, they should be made by October I, so that the crop may be- come well established before winter. Spring-seedings maybe made from February I5 to March I5 as favorable conditions develop. Oats may be harvested with a binder or with a combine harvester- thresher. They are less well-suited to direct combining than the other small grains as the straw usually breaks over soon after ma- turity. The use of strong-strawed varieties, such as Fultex, is of advantage for direct combining. Windrowing the crop followed by use of the combine with a pick-up attachment a few days later has been satisfactory under some conditions, especially when the oats are weedy. Oat straw has considerablepfeeding value, so many farmers prefer to, harvest the crop with a binder before the grain is dead ripe in order to utilize the straw more advantageously. Varieties of oats grown commercially in Texas are described in the text. Detailed data on yields of varieties and strains at the ex- periment stations at Denton, Greenville, Iowa Park, Chillicothe, Amarillo, Temple, Beeville, Angleton, Weslaco and College Sta- tion, Texas, are presented. A map showing the important oat—grow— ing areas in the State and the location of the experiment stations is given. All varieties of oats now grown in the State belong to the red oat (A vemz byzantina) group, being selections from or resulting from hybrids with the early-maturing Fulghum type, the Fulghum g (winter type), or the Red Rustproof type. Varieties recommended for growing in the main oat belt of Cen- tral Texas (Regions 3 and 4) are New Nortex, Ferguson No. 922 and Fultex. Stanton and Victorgrain also may be used satisfacto- rily on the basis of present tests. In the southern part of the State, s? 66 BULLETIN NO. 691, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION south of the Temple area, only rust-resistant varieties should be grown. These include the varieties Ranger, Rustler, Fultex, Victor- , grain, Alber, Camellia and Verde. For special grazing purposes, further tests may prove that the white Northern or Corn Belt rust- . resistant varieties may be valuable. For fall-seeding in the extreme northern part of Region 2, the Rolling Plains area, the very hardy varieties Wintok, Tennex and Fulwin may be used. Fultex, New A Nortex and Ferguson 922 are well-adapted throughout Region 2 and may be used for spring-seeding. Fulghum strains may be used for spring-seeding. In the High Plains area, Region I, only the most hardy varieties, such as Wintok, Fulwin and Tennex, should be used by those growers willing to risk fall-seeding. The Fulghum strains, Kanota and Frazier, and the varieties Fulton, Fultex or New Nortex may be used successfully in favorable spring seasons. The principal diseases of oats in Texas are crown (leaf) rust, a stem rust, smut and Helminthosporium blight. Careful grading of the seed to be sown will insure- more uniform stands and stronger seedlings. Seed treatment is an efficient and inexpensive insurance against serious losses from smut and will aid in the control of Hel- minthosporium blight and seedling diseases. Methods of seed treat- ment are given in the text. Crown and stem rusts can be effective- ly controlled only by the growing of resistant varieties. The im- proved varieties, Fultex, Ranger, Rustler, Victorgrain, Stanton and Verde, are resistant to crown rust but susceptible to stem rust and to Helminthosporium blight. Verde is also resistant to some races of stern rust. Extensive breeding work to develop additional new varieties re- sistant to these disease hazards is in progress.