Progress report for ONE18-312
Understanding Quality Standards for Cereal Rye to Help Farmers Access Value-Added Markets for Malting, Distilling, and Baking
Project Type: Partnership
Funds awarded in 2018: $14,971.00
Projected End Date: 10/31/2020
Grant Recipient:
University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
Region: Northeast
State: Vermont
Project Leader:
Project Information
Project Objectives:
Local bakers, maltsters, and distillers are eager to source locally grown rye for their products however, limited information is available on the necessary quality requirements. Farmers are interested in producing rye but have found it challenging to source varieties ideal for the end-users needs. It is also unclear how harvesting and fertility management impact rye quality and subsequent end-use quality. We have a good understanding of how variety selection and management influence wheat and barley quality but this same information does not exist for cereal rye.
The objectives of this project are to:
- To evaluate yield and quality characteristics of cereal rye and determine most appropriate uses for each variety.
- Determine the impact of nitrogen application timing on protein concentration and quality in cereal rye and subsequent impacts on end-use possibilities.
- Determine the impact of harvest timing on pre-harvest sprouting and overall quality in cereal rye.
- Identify cereal rye quality parameters necessary for specific end-uses, i.e. malt, distilling, and baking.
These objectives will be met through on-farm research and collaboration with end-use partners to develop best practices for cereal rye production. Ultimately helping farmers improve their ability to meet the requirements of a value-added market.
Introduction:
Surprisingly there is limited research available on best agronomic practices for food-grade rye production in the Northeast, or anywhere for that matter. Considering rye is second only to wheat among grains commonly used for bread production (Bushuk 2001). Based on our SARE database search we found no listings that were related to our proposed project topic. There were forty-five rye-based projects identified but all were focused on rye as a cover crop or for livestock grazing. Rye is the most winter hardy of winter grains and it is able to thrive in a wide variety of soil types, drainage situations, fertility levels, and climatic conditions. In other words, rye is an ideal crop for the Northeast.
Currently the majority of rye grown in Vermont is as a cover crop. The going rate for rye cover crop seed in Vermont is $0.16 per pound, whereas the price per pound of rye for baking ranged from $0.30 – $0.75 (organic), malting $0.20, and distilling $0.50 (personal communications). Selling rye for malt would result in an $80.00 per ton increase, and up to a $1,180 increase per ton for baking! Identifying rye varieties that meet end-users needs and best practices to produce high yielding and quality crop will ultimately help farmers succeed.
Rye in a cross-pollinated crop, meaning it is difficult to keep genetically “pure” varieties, which is why there are fewer rye varieties on the market compared to wheat (Bushuk 2001). However, the introduction of rye hybrids in the 1970’s has made it easier to keep “pure” lines. Today, 75% of all the rye grown worldwide is from hybrids (Brümmer, 2006). In recent years, more rye varieties have been released on to the market as the demand for more nutritious and hearty bread types has increased. Vermont is no exception. There is high consumer demand for locally sourced rye for baking, malt, and distilling, right now the demand far exceeds the supply. Vermont does not have much of a history of growing rye for human consumption. There is limited information available on the quality levels necessary for specific end uses and what is available is primarily based on European research. Quality parameters for rye are not necessarily the same as for wheat. For example, the falling number for rye has to be at least 120 seconds compared to 250 seconds for wheat (Brümmer, 2006). These differences in quality parameters may be the same or different depending on end-use, it is unclear.
It has been shown that different rye varieties differ in malting and brewing performance and flavor (Wang, 2016). Identifying varieties best suited for baking, malt, and distilling is critical for rye production expand in the Northeast. In addition, other agronomic practices like timely harvest and the impact of nitrogen on protein level is necessary to begin to build relevant information for this crop. Furthermore, quality tests and end-user testing is essential for increasing rye for human consumption in Vermont and throughout the country.
Therefore, through this project we will conduct large-scale variety trials with our partner farms to determine what varieties thrive for both yield and quality. Samples will have basic quality analyses run on them at the UVM Cereal Grain Testing Laboratory. We will then have our collaborating bakers, maltsters, and distillers perform end-use tests to determine which varieties are best suited for which end-use.
Cooperators
(Researcher)
(Researcher)
Research
Materials and methods:
Winter Rye Variety Trial – 2017/2018
In 2017, the experimental design of the study was a randomized complete block with treatment plots replicated four times. Treatments were ten varieties of cereal rye: Aroostook, Brasetto, Danko, Guardian, Huron, Musketeer, ND Dylan, Spooner, Wheeler, and one unstated variety (VNS). The field was plowed, disked, and prepared with a spike tooth harrow to prepare the seedbed for planting. The plots were planted with a Great Plains cone seeder on 21-Sep 2017; plots were 5’ x 20’. Prior to harvest, on 20-Jul 2018, three plant heights per plot were measured. Grain plots were harvested at the Alburgh site with an Almaco SPC50 plot combine on 20-Jul. Following harvest, seed was cleaned with a small Clipper M2B cleaner (A.T. Ferrell, Bluffton, IN). Grain moisture, test weight, and yield were calculated. An approximate one pound subsample was collected to determine quality. Quality measurements included standard testing parameters used by commercial mills. Test weight was measured by the weighing of a known volume of grain. Once test weight was determined, the samples were then ground into flour using the Perten LM3100 Laboratory Mill. At this time, flour was evaluated for its protein content, falling number, and mycotoxin levels. Grains were analyzed for protein content using the Perten Inframatic 8600 Flour Analyzer. The determination of falling number (AACC Method 56-81B, AACC Intl., 2000) was measured on the Perten FN 1500 Falling Number Machine. The falling number is related to the level of sprout damage that has occurred in the grain. It is measured by the time it takes, in seconds, for a stirrer to fall through a slurry of flour and water to the bottom of the tube. Deoxynivalenol (DON) analysis was done using Veratox DON 5/5 Quantitative test from the NEOGEN Corp. This test has a detection range of 0.5 to 5 ppm. Samples with DON values greater than 1 ppm are considered unsuitable for human consumption.
Winter Rye Variety Trial – 2018/2019
The experimental design of the study was a randomized complete block with treatment plots replicated four times. Treatments were fifteen varieties of cereal rye: Wren’s Abruzzi, Helltop, Bono, Merced, Dolero, Hazlet, Danko, Brassetto, ND Dylan, Huron, Musketeer, Aroostook, Guardian, Wheeler, and Spooner (Table 2). The field was plowed, disked, and prepared with a spike tooth harrow to prepare the seedbed for planting. The plots were planted with a Great Plains cone seeder on 22-Sep 2018; plots were 5’ x 20’ (Table 1). In the spring, winter survival was assessed for the cereal rye varieties on 6-May. Each plot was scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 indicating 0-20% survival and 5 indicating 81-100% survival. Prior to harvest, on 30-Jul 2018, three plant heights per plot were measured.
Table 1: Agronomic and trial information for the rye cover crop variety trial, 2017-2018.
|
|
Borderview Research Farm, Alburgh, VT |
|
Soil Type |
Benson rocky silt loam |
|
Previous Crop |
Corn |
|
Tillage Operations |
Fall plow, disc, and spike tooth harrow |
|
Harvest Area (ft.) |
5 x 20 |
|
Seeding Rate (live seeds m-2) |
350 |
|
Replicates |
4 |
|
Planting Date |
22-Sep 2018 |
|
Harvest Date |
30-Jul 2019 |
Grain plots were harvested at the Alburgh site with an Almaco SPC50 plot combine on 20-Jul. Following harvest, seed was cleaned with a small Clipper M2B cleaner (A.T. Ferrell, Bluffton, IN). Grain moisture, test weight, and yield were calculated. An approximate one pound subsample was collected to determine quality. Quality measurements included standard testing parameters used by commercial mills. Test weight was measured by the weighing of a known volume of grain. Once test weight was determined, the samples were then ground into flour using the Perten LM3100 Laboratory Mill. At this time, flour was evaluated for its protein content, falling number, and mycotoxin levels. Grains were analyzed for protein content using the Perten Inframatic 8600 Flour Analyzer. The determination of falling number (AACC Method 56-81B, AACC Intl., 2000) was measured on the Perten FN 1500 Falling Number Machine. The falling number is related to the level of sprout damage that has occurred in the grain. It is measured by the time it takes, in seconds, for a stirrer to fall through a slurry of flour and water to the bottom of the tube. Deoxynivalenol (DON) analysis was done using Veratox DON 5/5 Quantitative test from the NEOGEN Corp. This test has a detection range of 0.5 to 5 ppm. Samples with DON values greater than 1 ppm are considered unsuitable for human consumption.
Table 2. Winter rye varietal information, Alburgh, VT, 2019.
|
Variety |
Source |
|
Wrens Abruzzi |
Hancock Seed Company |
|
Helltop |
Nordic Seed |
|
Bono |
Albert Lea Seed |
|
Merced |
Hearne Seed |
|
Dolero |
Albert Lea Seed |
|
Hazlet |
SeCan |
|
Danko |
Knight Seed |
|
Brassetto |
Seedway LLC |
|
ND Dylan |
Seedway LLC |
|
Huron |
Kings AgriSeed |
|
Musketeer |
Saved Seed; Alburgh, VT |
|
Aroostock |
Albert Lea Seed |
|
Guardian |
LaCrosse Seed |
|
Wheeler |
Moore Seed Farm |
|
Spooner |
Alber Lea Seed |
Variations in yield and quality can occur because of variations in genetics, soil, weather, and other growing conditions. Statistical analysis makes it possible to determine whether a difference among treatments is real or whether it might have occurred due to other variations in the field. Yield data and stand characteristics were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, 1999). Replications within trials were treated as random effects, and application treatments were treated as fixed. Treatment mean pairwise comparisons were made using the Tukey-Kramer adjustment. Treatments were considered different at the 0.10 level of significance. At the bottom of each table, a level of significance is presented for each variable (i.e. yield). Treatments that differed at a level of significance >0.10 were reported as being not significantly different. Treatments that were not significantly lower in performance than the top performer in a particular column are indicated with an asterisk.
Winter Rye Harvest Date Trial – 2018/2019
In 2018, the experimental design of the study was a randomized complete block with treatment plots replicated four times. The variety Danko and Hazlet was planted at 100 lbs per acre on 6-Oct. The plots that were 5′ x 20′ were planted with a Great Plains cone seeder. The goal will be to determine the impact of rye harvest date on bread baking quality.
Table 1: Agronomic and trial information for the rye cover crop variety trial, 2017-2018.
|
|
Borderview Research Farm, Alburgh, VT |
|
Soil Type |
Benson rocky silt loam |
|
Previous Crop |
Winter Wheat |
|
Tillage Operations |
Fall plow, disc, and spike tooth harrow |
|
Harvest Area (ft.) |
5 x 20 |
|
Seeding Rate (live seeds m-2) |
350 |
|
Replicates |
4 |
|
Planting Date |
6-Oct 2018 |
|
Harvest Dates |
HD 1: 30-Jul 2019 HD 2: 5-Aug 2019 HD 3: 14-Aug 2019 HD 4: 19-Aug 2019 |
Grain plots were harvested at the Alburgh site with an Almaco SPC50 plot combine on 30-Jul, 5-Aug, 14-Aug, and 19-Aug. Following harvest, seed was cleaned with a small Clipper M2B cleaner (A.T. Ferrell, Bluffton, IN). Grain moisture, test weight, and yield were calculated. An approximate one pound subsample was collected to determine quality. Quality measurements included standard testing parameters used by commercial mills. Test weight was measured by the weighing of a known volume of grain. Once test weight was determined, the samples were then ground into flour using the Perten LM3100 Laboratory Mill. At this time, flour was evaluated for its protein content, falling number, and mycotoxin levels. Grains were analyzed for protein content using the Perten Inframatic 8600 Flour Analyzer. The determination of falling number (AACC Method 56-81B, AACC Intl., 2000) was measured on the Perten FN 1500 Falling Number Machine. The falling number is related to the level of sprout damage that has occurred in the grain. It is measured by the time it takes, in seconds, for a stirrer to fall through a slurry of flour and water to the bottom of the tube. Deoxynivalenol (DON) analysis was done using Veratox DON 5/5 Quantitative test from the NEOGEN Corp. This test has a detection range of 0.5 to 5 ppm. Samples with DON values greater than 1 ppm are considered unsuitable for human consumption. The final results have not been analyzed or compiled at the time of this report. The grain samples will be delivered to the bakers for
Winter Rye Nitrogen Rate Trial – 2018/2019
The experimental design of the study was a randomized complete block with treatment plots replicated four times (Table 1). Treatments were four nitrogen application timings: 90lbs N ac-1 applied in the fall, 90 lb N ac-1 applied in the spring, 45/45 lb N ac-1 split application applied in fall and spring, and a control receiving no N application (Table 2). Nitrogen was applied in the form of calcium ammonium nitrate (21-0-0). The field was plowed, disked, and prepared with a spike tooth harrow to prepare the seedbed for planting. The plots were 5’ x 20’ and the rye variety, Hazlet was planted with a Great Plains cone seeder on 6-Oct 2018 at a rate of 100 lbs ac-1.
Table 1: Agronomic and trial information for the rye cover crop variety trial, 2018-2019.
|
|
Borderview Research Farm, Alburgh, VT |
|
Soil Type |
Benson rocky silt loam |
|
Previous Crop |
Corn |
|
Rye variety |
Hazlet |
|
Tillage Operations |
Fall plow, disc, and spike tooth harrow |
|
Harvest Area (ft.) |
5 x 20 |
|
Seeding Rate (lbs ac-1) |
100 |
|
Replicates |
4 |
|
Fertilizer |
Calcium ammonium nitrate (21-0-0) |
|
Planting Date |
6-Oct 2018 |
|
Harvest Date |
5-Aug 2019 |
Table 2. 2018-2019 Winter rye nitrogen application dates.
|
Treatment |
Application date |
|
90 lb N ac-1 Fall |
4-Oct |
|
90 lb N ac-1 Spring |
29-Apr |
|
45/45 lb N ac-1 Fall/Spring |
4-Oct/29-Apr |
|
Control |
N/A |
Grain plots were harvested at the Alburgh site with an Almaco SPC50 plot combine on 5-Aug. Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) is a fungal disease found most commonly in rye, and it can lead to yield reductions and health problems in humans and animals. To assess the amount of ergot present, two 1 ft2 samples were collected per plot just prior to harvest, and the ergot incidence (percent of affected heads) was recorded. Following harvest, seed was cleaned with a small Clipper M2B cleaner (A.T. Ferrell, Bluffton, IN). Grain moisture, test weight, and yield were calculated. An approximate one pound subsample was collected to determine quality. Quality measurements included standard testing parameters used by commercial mills. Test weight was measured by the weighing of a known volume of grain. Once test weight was determined, the samples were then ground into flour using the Perten LM3100 Laboratory Mill. At this time, flour was evaluated for its protein content, falling number, and mycotoxin levels. Grains were analyzed for protein content using the Perten Inframatic 8600 Flour Analyzer. The determination of falling number (AACC Method 56-81B, AACC Intl., 2000) was measured on the Perten FN 1500 Falling Number Machine. The falling number is related to the level of sprout damage that has occurred in the grain. It is measured by the time it takes, in seconds, for a stirrer to fall through a slurry of flour and water to the bottom of the tube. Deoxynivalenol (DON) analysis was done using Veratox DON 5/5 Quantitative test from the NEOGEN Corp. This test has a detection range of 0.5 to 5 ppm. Samples with DON values greater than 1 ppm are considered unsuitable for human consumption.
Variations in yield and quality can occur because of variations in genetics, soil, weather, and other growing conditions. Statistical analysis makes it possible to determine whether a difference among treatments is real or whether it might have occurred due to other variations in the field. Yield data and stand characteristics were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, 1999). Replications within trials were treated as random effects, and application treatments were treated as fixed. Treatment mean pairwise comparisons were made using the Tukey-Kramer adjustment. Treatments were considered different at the 0.10 level of significance. At the bottom of each table, a level of significance is presented for each variable (i.e. yield). Treatments that differed at a level of significance >0.10 were reported as being not significantly different. Treatments that were not significantly lower in performance than the top performer in a particular column are indicated with an asterisk.
Research results and discussion:
Winter Rye Variety Trial – 2017/2018
Heights, lodging, yield and test weight was measured prior to cereal rye harvest (Table 1). Wheeler was the tallest variety, whereas Brasetto was the shortest. Wheeler did not experience any lodging, yet Brasetto, Danko, Guardian, Huron, and VNS were not statistically different from Wheeler. It is also worth noting that lodging was very low across the board, with Musketeer and ND Dylan showing only 4% lodging for the growing season. The average lodging for the trial was 1.63%. Yields are presented at harvest moisture. Yields at harvest ranged between 2511 and 4210 lbs ac-1 with Brasetto, Guardian, ND Dylan, and VNS as the top performing varieties. The ideal test weight for rye is 56 lbs bu-1; top performing varieties reaching this mark in descending order were Danko, Musketeer, VNS, Spooner, Guardian, and Aroostook.
The ten cereal varieties were analyzed for crude protein content, falling number, and the vomitoxin DON (Table 2). Wheeler had the highest crude protein at 13.96%, and was significantly higher than the other varieties in the trial. Falling number ranged between 216 and 272; an ideal falling number falls around 260 seconds. The top performing variety was Brasetto at 272 seconds, but was not statistically significant fom Danko,Guardian, ND Dylan, Spooner, Wheeler, and Bono, who were also top performers. Danko had very low DON levels, and was not significantly different from Aroostook, Huron, Spooner, and Wheeler.
Table 1: Harvest measurements of winter rye varieties, Alburgh, VT 2018.
|
Variety |
Height |
Lodging |
Yield |
Test weight |
|
cm |
% |
lbs ac-1 |
lbs bu-1 |
|
|
Aroostook |
141 |
3.50 |
2925 |
56.0* |
|
Brasetto |
114 |
0.50* |
4210 |
49.8 |
|
Danko |
132 |
0.50* |
2837 |
57.2 |
|
Guardian |
143 |
0.25* |
4061* |
56.1* |
|
Huron |
143 |
1.50* |
3239 |
51.0 |
|
Musketeer |
145 |
4.00 |
3320 |
56.7* |
|
ND Dylan |
138 |
4.00 |
3627* |
54.5* |
|
Spooner |
152 |
1.75 |
2980 |
56.3* |
|
Wheeler |
167 |
0.00 |
2511 |
53.3* |
|
VNS |
115 |
0.25* |
4015* |
56.4* |
|
Trial mean |
139 |
1.625 |
3373 |
54.7 |
|
LSD (0.10) |
10.4 |
1.64 |
883.24 |
4.34 |
*Treatments with an asterisk are not significantly different than the top performer in bold.
LSD – Least significant difference.
NS – No significant difference between treatments.
|
Table 2: Grain quality for ten cereal rye varieties, Alburgh, VT, 2018. |
|
|||||
|
|
Variety |
Crude protein |
Falling number |
DON |
|
|
|
|
@ 12% moisture |
|||||
|
|
% |
Seconds |
ppm |
|
||
|
|
Aroostook |
11.7 |
227 |
0.200* |
|
|
|
|
Brasetto |
10.4 |
272 |
0.350 |
|
|
|
|
Danko |
10.8 |
266* |
0.025 |
|
|
|
|
Guardian |
10.2 |
249* |
0.450 |
|
|
|
|
Huron |
10.7 |
216 |
0.125* |
|
|
|
|
Musketeer |
11.1 |
216 |
0.350 |
|
|
|
|
ND Dylan |
11.1 |
254* |
0.350 |
|
|
|
|
Spooner |
10.8 |
245* |
0.225* |
|
|
|
|
Wheeler |
13.9 |
260* |
0.250* |
|
|
|
|
VNS |
9.75 |
268* |
0.300 |
|
|
|
|
Trial mean |
11.1 |
247 |
0.263 |
|
|
|
|
LSD (0.10) |
0.716 |
30.8 |
0.242 |
|
|
|
|
*Treatments with an asterisk are not significantly different than the top performer in bold. |
|||||
|
|
LSD – Least significant difference. |
|
||||
Winter Rye Variety Trial – 2018/2019
Weather data was recorded with a Davis Instrument Vantage Pro2 weather station, equipped with a WeatherLink data logger at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT (Table 3). During the time of this trial, temperatures were below average for every month except July. During the 2018-2019 season, most months saw below average precipitation with the exception of November (’18), December (’18), April (‘19) and May (’19) which saw above average precipitation. There were 5199 growing degree days (GDDs) across the whole season, 20 growing degree days more than the historical average. While winter survival was not measured in this trial, there were some treatment plots in which the rye did not over-winter and were not harvested as a result.
Table 3. Temperature and precipitation summary for Alburgh, VT, 2018 and 2019.
|
Alburgh, VT |
2018 |
2019 |
|||||||||
|
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
|
|
Average temperature (°F) |
45.8 |
32.2 |
25.4 |
15.0 |
18.9 |
28.3 |
42.7 |
53.3 |
64.3 |
73.5 |
68.3 |
|
Departure from normal |
-2.36 |
-5.99 |
-0.55 |
-3.77 |
-2.58 |
-2.79 |
-2.11 |
-3.11 |
-1.46 |
2.87 |
-0.51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Precipitation (inches) |
3.53 |
4.50 |
2.96 |
1.53 |
1.70 |
1.36 |
3.65 |
4.90 |
3.06 |
2.34 |
3.50 |
|
Departure from normal |
-0.07 |
1.38 |
0.59 |
-0.52 |
-0.06 |
-0.85 |
0.83 |
1.45 |
-0.63 |
-1.81 |
-0.41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Growing Degree Days (32-95°F) |
435 |
136 |
72 |
23 |
38 |
108 |
346 |
660 |
970 |
1286 |
1125 |
|
Departure from normal |
-67 |
-50 |
72 |
23 |
38 |
108 |
-38 |
-96 |
-44 |
88 |
-14 |
Based on weather data from a Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 with WeatherLink data logger. Historical averages are for 30 years of NOAA data (1981-2010) from Burlington, VT. (http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/page_nowdata.html).
There was significant differences between some of the varieties in terms of survival (Table 4). Musketeer had the highest survival, but was statistically similar, in descending order, to Huron, Guardian, Danko, Spooner, Brasetto, ND Dylan, Dolero, Bono, and Wheeler. Wrens Aburzzi and Merced had the lowest winter survival and as a result, no yield or quality data was collected for either variety.
Table 4. Spring survival for winter rye varieties, Alburgh, VT, 2019.
|
Variety |
Survival |
|
(1-5) |
|
|
Aroostook |
1.25 |
|
Bono |
2.75* |
|
Brasetto |
3.25* |
|
Danko |
3.25* |
|
Dolero |
3.00* |
|
Guardian |
3.25* |
|
Hazlet |
1.50 |
|
Helltop |
2.50 |
|
Huron |
3.50* |
|
Merced |
1.00 |
|
Musketeer |
4.25 |
|
ND Dylan |
3.00* |
|
Spooner |
3.25* |
|
Wheeler |
2.75* |
|
Wrens Abruzzi |
1.00 |
|
LSD (0.01) |
1.64 |
|
Trial mean |
2.63 |
Heights, lodging, yield, test weight, and amount of ergot present was measured prior to cereal rye harvest (Table 5). There were significant differences in lodging, yield, and test weight. Huron was the tallest variety, whereas Dolero was the shortest. Varieties Bono, Brasetto, and Hazlet did not experience any lodging. It is also worth noting that lodging was very low across the board, with ND Dylan showing only 3% lodging for the growing season. The average lodging for the trial was 1.18%. Yields are presented at 13.5% moisture. Yields ranged between 480 and 3674 lbs ac-1 with Brasetto and Dolero as the top performing varieties. Brassetto had no ergot present, but ten other varieties were statistically similar. Helltop and Wheeler had highest amount of ergot with 20.9% and 11.4% respectively. The ideal test weight for rye is 56 lbs bu-1; none of the varieties met or exceeded this ideal test weight. Guardian had the highest test weight (54.7 lbs bu-1), but there was no statistical difference between varieties.
Table 5: Pre-harvest measurements of winter rye varieties, Alburgh, VT 2019.
|
Variety |
Height |
Lodging |
Yield @ 13.5% moisture |
Ergot |
Test weight |
|
cm |
% |
lbs ac-1 |
% |
lbs bu-1 |
|
|
Aroostook |
128 |
2.00 |
480 |
7.0* |
51.2 |
|
Bono |
114 |
0.00 |
2949 |
4.4* |
52.3 |
|
Brasetto |
114 |
0.00 |
3674 |
0.0 |
53.4 |
|
Danko |
135 |
1.00 |
2011 |
2.3* |
54.2 |
|
Dolero |
98 |
0.50 |
3639* |
3.3* |
52.4 |
|
Guardian |
106 |
0.33 |
2570 |
2.5* |
54.7 |
|
Hazlet |
103 |
0.00 |
1605 |
3.9* |
48.4 |
|
Helltop |
108 |
0.25 |
1328 |
20.9 |
52.1 |
|
Huron |
144 |
2.00 |
1752 |
0.7* |
52.3 |
|
Musketeer |
128 |
2.25 |
2263 |
0.3* |
53.6 |
|
ND Dylan |
129 |
3.00 |
1412 |
0.9* |
51.3 |
|
Spooner |
131 |
1.50 |
1866 |
0.4* |
52.5 |
|
Wheeler |
143 |
1.50 |
1687 |
11.4 |
48.5 |
|
p-value |
<0.05 |
<0.05 |
<0.05 |
NS |
|
|
Trial mean |
123 |
1.18 |
2093 |
4.5 |
52.3 |
*Treatments with an asterisk are not significantly different than the top performer in bold.
NS – No significant difference between treatments.
The 13 winter rye varieties were analyzed for crude protein concentration, falling number, and the vomitoxin DON (Table 6). There were significant differences in crude protein and in falling number between varieties. Overall DON levels were low this year and all varieties had DON levels below the 0.5ppm threshold of the Veratox DON 5/5 Quantitative test. Wheeler had the highest crude protein at 15.1%, and was significantly higher than the other varieties in the trial. Falling number ranged between 161 and 299; an ideal falling number falls around 260 seconds. The top performing variety was Dolero at 299 seconds.
|
Table 6: Grain quality for winter rye varieties, Alburgh, VT, 2019. |
||||
|
|
Variety |
Crude protein |
Falling number |
|
|
|
@ 12% moisture |
|
||
|
|
% |
Seconds |
|
|
|
|
Aroostook |
12.7 |
277 |
|
|
|
Bono |
8.9 |
269 |
|
|
|
Brasetto |
8.2 |
247 |
|
|
|
Danko |
10.5 |
235 |
|
|
|
Dolero |
8.2 |
299 |
|
|
|
Guardian |
9.8 |
271 |
|
|
|
Hazlet |
10.2 |
217 |
|
|
|
Helltop |
10.6 |
254 |
|
|
|
Huron |
9.5 |
243 |
|
|
|
Musketeer |
9.7 |
209 |
|
|
|
ND Dylan |
8.9 |
267 |
|
|
|
Spooner |
9.8 |
195 |
|
|
|
Wheeler |
15.1 |
161 |
|
|
|
p-value |
<.0001 |
<.0001 |
|
|
Trial mean |
10.0 |
239 |
|
|
|
*Treatments with an asterisk are not significantly different than the top performer in bold. |
||||
Winter Rye Nitrogen Rate Trial – 2018/2019
Ergot incidence ranged from 6.7% in the split 45 lbs N ac-1 fall and 45 lbs N ac-1 spring application to 10.0% in the control, however there was no statistically significant difference between treatments (Table 4). Highest yields occurred in the split 45 lbs N ac-1 fall and 45 lbs N ac-1 spring application with similarly high yields from the 90 lbs N ac-1 fall application. However, there was no statistically significant difference between treatments. Test weights were highest for the control plots and the 90 lbs N ac-1 spring application, but once again there was no significant difference between treatments within the trial.
Table 4: Harvest measurements by treatment, Alburgh, VT, 2019.
|
Treatment |
Ergot incidence |
Yield |
Test weight |
|
% affected heads |
lbs ac-1 |
lbs bu-1 |
|
|
45/45 lbs N ac-1 Fall/Spring |
6.7 |
2760 |
47.4 |
|
90 lbs N ac-1 Fall |
7.1 |
2641 |
48.8 |
|
90 lbs N ac-1 Spring |
7.2 |
2157 |
49.3 |
|
Control |
10.0 |
2111 |
52.1 |
|
p-value |
NS |
NS |
NS |
|
Trial mean |
7.6 |
2411 |
49.3 |
Treatments in bold are top performers.
NS – No significant difference between treatments.
The four treatments were analyzed for crude protein concentration at 12% moisture and falling number (Table 5). There were no significant differences between treatments for either crude protein or falling number. Crude protein ranged from 10.6% to 11.1%. The 90 lbs N ac-1 fall application had the highest crude protein concentration, but lowest falling number. Falling number ranged between 185 and 202; an ideal falling number falls around 260 seconds for wheat flour however, lower falling numbers around 150 seconds have been acceptable to bakers while using rye flour. The 90 lbs N ac-1 spring application had the highest falling number of 202 seconds. Overall, DON levels were low this year and all treatments had levels of DON less than the 0.5 ppm detection threshold for the Veratox DON 5/5 Quantitative test.
|
Table 5: Grain quality by treatment, Alburgh, VT, 2019. |
||||
|
|
Variety |
Crude protein |
Falling number |
|
|
|
@ 12% moisture |
|
||
|
|
% |
Seconds |
|
|
|
|
45/45 lbs N ac-1 Fall/Spring |
11.0 |
186 |
|
|
|
90 lbs N ac-1 Fall |
11.1 |
185 |
|
|
|
90 lbs N ac-1 Spring |
10.8 |
202 |
|
|
|
Control |
10.6 |
195 |
|
|
|
p-value |
NS |
NS |
|
|
|
Trial mean |
10.9 |
192 |
|
|
|
Treatments in bold are top performers. |
|||
|
|
NS – No significant difference between treatments. |
|
||
Research conclusions:
The hot, dry conditions in 2018 emulated the weather in the west, which led to high cereal rye yields and quality. Throughout the trial, and perhaps a result of this season’s growing conditions, each variety appeared to perform quite well. Danko, Guardian, Wheeler, and Bono were top performing varieties across the board, with Brasetto, ND Dylan, and Spooner similarly performing quite highly in our trial. Overall, quality and yields were high this year, and each variety had DON levels suitable for human consumption.
The weather during the 2018-2019 season was cooler and wetter than average, with 74 less growing degree days than the 30 year average. The early arrival of winter in the fall of 2018 led to poor rye growth. The prolonged winter obviously further impacted winter survival of the rye varieties. Several research plots had 100% winter-kill when spring finally arrived. The weather conditions also had an impact on quality and overall growth of the crop. All varieties in 2019 did not grow to be as tall as in 2018, but experienced less lodging than last year. But test weight, yield, crude protein, and falling number were all lower than in 2019 compared to the previous season.
Fall nitrogen applications to cereal rye may improve stand establishment and spur growth before winter dormancy periods. However, from this experiment, it appeared as if timing of nitrogen applications had little or no effect on the yields or quality of rye produced. While fall applied nitrogen treatments appeared to have slightly higher yields than other treatments, these differences were not significant enough to suggest a treatment response. The winter rye was planted relatively late and also had a short time of growth before abnormally cold temperatures occurred in October and November. This likely limited nitrogen uptake and may have been one reason little response was seen from fall N applications. Challenges with hard winter conditions and perhaps site selection resulted in winterkill within several plots in the trial, potentially influencing some of these results. The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) Program intends to repeat this trial in the 2019/2020 growing season as additional research is required to determine impacts of N application timing and rate on cereal rye productivity in the Northeast.
Additional conclusions will be added as research results are compiled and analyzed for the remaining experiments.
2 Farmers participating in research
Education & Outreach Activities and Participation Summary
14 Consultations
1 On-farm demonstrations
1 Published press articles, newsletters
1 Webinars / talks / presentations
5 Workshop field days
Participation Summary
215 Farmers
175 Number of agricultural educator or service providers reached through education and outreach activities
Education/outreach description:
In 2018, there were several educational opportunities for growers to learn about winter rye production and value added opportunities for this grain. On July 26th, 2018 the rye variety and harvest date trials were shown to the 225 participants. They were allowed to walk through and observe the different varieties. In addition, the goals of the project were shared with the attendees (2018-Field-Day-Flyer)
On November 12, 2018, a small grower meeting (15 attendees) was hosted at Peterson Quality Malthouse. The goal of the meeting was to provide grain production information to current and potential malt growers. Education focused on best management practices for growing malt (including rye as a malted grain). Growers were provided research reports and grain growing booklets.
The Northern Grain Growers are interested in growing rye for baking, malting, and distilling. The bakers that serve on the NGGA board received the grain and quality analysis from the 2018 trials. They will be performing bake tests in January and sharing results at the 2019 Grain Conference. In addition, two articles were written for the Northern Grain Growers Newsletter and distributed to 365 members in December of 2018 (NorthernGrainGrowersNewsletter2018).
2019 Maine Grain Conference, March 1, 2019, Presque Isle. Target audience was farmers, farm advisors, processors and end-users. The following talks were provided by H. Darby at this meeting in ME. Foliar and Seed Diseases in New England Organic Grains and Winter Rye Research Update. Attendees – 93
15th Annual Grain Growers Conference, ‘Stories of an Evolving Food System’, March 28, 2019, Essex, VT. This daylong event included speakers from across the United States and Canada. Topics included malting grains, growing rice, rye breads, pollinator decline, commercial oil pressing, growing and milling spelt, cover crops, basics of growing hemp, camera-guided cultivation. Bakers presented the results from the cereal rye Attendees – 125 (2019 Grain Conference Brochure)
Annual Northwest Crops and Soils Field Day – July 25, 2019 – ‘Twelve Years of Research – But Wait, There’s More’, Borderview Research Farm, Alburgh, VT. Tour included research trials on organic corn, soybean, barley, wheat, oats, and rye. Research tours of winter rye variety trials, no-till grains, nitrogen management, and harvest timing. Attendees 286 (2019 Annual Field Day Flyer)
Research reports are posted on the UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Team (www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops) as they are reviewed and completed.
Learning Outcomes
34 Farmers reported changes in knowledge, attitudes, skills and/or awareness as a result of their participation
Key areas in which farmers reported changes in knowledge, attitude, skills and/or awareness:
Farmers attending the Malthouse meeting were asked to complete a short online survey to indicate knowledge gained and intended changes in practices. 100% of the farmers indicated they learned new knowledge about growing grain for malt. 72% indicated they were going to take a soil test to check pH levels. 56% indicated that they would begin quality testing grain. Others reported increased knowledge in disease management and harvest timing.
Farmers attending the 2019 Grain Growers Annual Conference were asked to complete a post-event survey to indicated knowledge grained and any intended changes in practices. 98% of the farmers indicated they gained knowledge in the area of grain fertility management, variety selection, and quality evaluation. 60% of the farmers indicated they planned to select different/new varieties of grain based on research and baking results. 40% of farmers indicated they planned to modify harvest timing and/or equipment to meet grain quality needs of end markets.
Project Outcomes
1 Farmers changed or adopted a practice
1 New working collaboration
Project outcomes:
Farmers have not had rye specific data to them in the past to make management decisions.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.
