Evaluation of Seed Coating Treatments in Soft White Winter Wheat.

The seed of soft white winter wheat of two varieties - Brundage and Stephens – will be treated with one of the following treatments: 1) SFP Tuxedo, 60 ml (2 oz)/100 lb seed; 2) SFP Surgent, 120 ml/100 lb seed, or 3) VLSci Take-Off, 10 ml/100 lb seed, utilizing a plastic or plastic lined mixer. Wheat was planted in October 2014 into 10x40 research plots at Southwest Idaho Research & Extension Center, Parma, ID. A randomized complete block design with 4 replications was used. The seed treatments were applied by on top of traditional commercial seed treatments already in place. Preferred fungicide and insecticide seed treatments were used throughout the season. A composite soil sample collected before planting was analyzed for all major macro and micronutrients. Visual stand assessment (on the scale from 1 to 5) was done at green-up. Additionally, wheat canopy reflectance (an indirect plant stand/vigor indicator) was assessed by collecting NDVI measurements at Feekes 2-3 and Feekes 5-6 utilizing a GreenSeeker 505 handheld optical sensor. Also, at Feekes 4-5, by-plot samples of above-ground wheat biomass were collected and analyzed for total nitrogen content. At maturity, the plots will be harvested with a 5-foot plot combine to determine by-plot grain yield. Subsamples will be collected to determine grain test weight and sent to be analyzed for nitrogen/protein content. At harvest time, a composite soil sample will be collected to be analyzed for all major macro and micronutrients. The effect of seed treatments on winter wheat grain yield and quality. Also, a potential varietal differences in wheat response to seed treatments will be assessed. The study will be repeated at 2 locations for one more year. Grower recommendations in regards to potential benefits of using seed treatments for improving wheat grain yield and quality will be developed.