1998 Evaluation of Spring Einkorn

  Project Personnel

G.F. Stallknecht, Moccasin, MT
D. Wesenberg, USDA, ARS, Aberdeen, ID
H. Bockelman, USDA, ARS, Aberdeen, ID
P. Hucl, Ag. Canada, Univ. Saskatchewan, Sask. Canada
V. Vallega, Inst. Cereal Studies Rome, Italy
R.L. Murphy, Agricultural Research Specialist, Moccasin, MT
J. Vavrovsky, Agricultural Research Specialist, Moccasin, MT

    Objectives

To evaluate einkorn germplasm selections for yield and lodging resistance in Montana. Sections which exhibit agronomic potential in Montana will be evaluated for baking flour quality.

   Results and Discussion

Table 4 compares the yields and agronomic traits of einkorn to spring oats, wheat, and barley. Einkorn entries included PI accessions from the world collection, Aberdeen and PI accessions designated™ from Pierre Hucl, Canada. All einkorn accessions were significantly lower in yield compared to the traditional cereals in 1998. In contrast to 1998 many einkorn accessions produced yields equal to or higher than spring oats in 1996 and 1997. The emphasis of the einkorn studies at CARC will shift from large-scale evaluation of accessions from the world collection, to specific selections from the Italian breeding program. Evaluation of the more promising accession from the Aberdeen and Canada collections will continue to be included in future trials. Einkorn studies in 1998 also included single row planting of 32 einkorn germplasm selections from Dr. Victor Vallegas breeding program in Italy. These selections will be planted in replicate trails in 1999. The einkorn from Italy has been selected based on agronomic and baking four quality traits. Einkorn studies will continue to concentrate on the identification of selections adapted to Montana. Einkorn will be marketed as a specialty grin for human food uses, based on unique tastes, and high beta-carotene and protein content.