Protein Concentration of Winter Wheat Varieties in Oklahoma - 2023-2024
General Information
Protein is just one of many attributes that determines end-use quality and marketability of winter wheat. In fact, some millers and bakers would argue that functionality of wheat protein is more important than the quantity of protein. While varietal differences exist, variability in protein among environments is generally much larger. Factors such as nitrogen (N) fertilization and drought stress, for example, can sharply impact final wheat protein concentration.
To reflect these management and environmental impacts on wheat protein concentration, data are reported by variety and location in Table 1. In Table 2, the wheat protein concentration by variety is reported as a deviation from the location mean. This allows for easier comparison of wheat protein among varieties across locations. Doublestop CL Plus and Green Hammer, for example, showed positive deviation from the location mean in all of this year’s trials where it was planted, indicating a tendency for above-average wheat protein concentration. Iba, on the other hand, showed a negative deviation from location mean in all of the trials where it was planted, indicating a tendency for lower than average wheat protein concentration. Adequate and timely N fertility as recommended by a recent soil test or sensor-based N management program can help ensure that varieties with lower than average protein produce wheat or flour protein within the acceptable range for the end-users.
However, protein quantity should not be considered a barometer for protein quality (i.e., dough strength and functionality), though high protein quantity and quality can occur in the same variety. Doublestop CL Plus is one example. Iba is a prime example of how protein data can sometimes be misleading, as the functionality of the protein in Iba is above average, which can offset lower absolute protein concentration. More information on end-use quality is available in Current Report 2165 Wheat and Flour Quality for Varieties Tested in the 2016 OSU Variety Performance Tests.
Procedures
Approximately 600 g subsamples of wheat grain were collected at harvest from four field replicates of all entries for each OSU Wheat Variety Performance Test. Each test was properly fertilized and managed according to OSU Cooperative Extension recommendations. Additional information on test locations and management practices is available in Current Report 2143 2023-2024 Oklahoma Small Grains Variety Performance Tests online at www.wheat.okstate.edu. Samples were analyzed nondestructively immediately after harvest for wheat protein concentration on a 12% moisture basis, using a Diode Array Near Infrared (NIR) moisture and protein instrument (model DA 7200, Perten Instruments, Sweden). The expected wheat protein concentration for hard red winter wheat in the Southern Great Plains resides in the 10% to 15% range. Grain samples with extremely high protein concentration (e.g., 18% to 21%) were also analyzed using the LECO and Elemental CN combustion method and results were confirmed. Overapplication of N in a low-yielding drought year could inflate grain protein concentration values.
Data Interpretation
At the bottom of Table 1, the mean and least significant difference (LSD) values are reported. The LSD is a test statistic that aids in determining whether there is a true difference in protein. In this report, one can be 95% confident that the difference between two varieties is real if the difference is greater than the LSD value. Data that is not statistically different is indicated by “NS.” For example, if the LSD value is 1% in a trial where Variety A had 13% protein and Variety B had 10% protein, then Variety A would be considered to have a statistically higher protein. However, if Variety C had 12% protein, then Variety A and Variety C would be considered to have a similar protein. In that same example trial, there is a 5% chance that the 1% protein difference between Variety A and Variety B does not truly exist, but random chance caused the difference. These chance factors may include differences in fertility, moisture availability and diseases. To aid in visualizing the varieties with the highest protein, values highlighted in gray do not differ statistically from the highest value within a column.
Table 1. Wheat Protein Concentration of varieties and experimental lines tested in the 2023-2024 Oklahoma Wheat Variety Performance Tests.
Table 2. Wheat protein concentration relative to the location mean (expressed as a deviation) for varieties and experimental lines in the 2023-2024 Oklahoma Wheat Variety Performance Test.
Participating Seed Companies
AgriPro
Dave Abel
704 W 9th Street,
Newkirk, OK 74647
Phone: (620) 218-0848
Email: david.abel@syngenta.com
Varieties: AP Bigfoot, AP Prolific, AP Roadrunner, AP Sunbird, AP 24AX, Bob Dole, SY Wolverine
AGSECO, Inc.
Steve Ahring
P.O. Box 7
Girard, KS 66743
Phone: (620) 724-6223
Email: steve@delangeseed.com
www.agseco.com
Varieties: AG Golden, AG Radica
Armor by Winfield United
Todd Coulter/Ryan Moeller
500 North 1st street
Vincent, IA 50594
Phone: (765) 242-3161
Email: tgcoulter@landolakes.com
www.croplan.com
Varieties: AR Turret 25, AR Iron Eagle 22AX
CROPLAN by Winfield United
Todd Coulter/Ryan Moeller
500 North 1st street
Vincent, IA 50594
Phone: (765) 242-3161
Email: tgcoulter@landolakes.com
Email: rdmoeller@landolakes.com
Varieties: CP7017 AX, CP7869, CP7220
Kansas Wheat Alliance (KWA)
Bryson Haverkamp
1990 Kimball Ave. Suite 200
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 320-4080
Email: bryson@kswheatalliance.com
Varieties: KS Ahearn, KS Providence
Limagrain Cereal Seeds (LCS)
Daniel Dall
1250 N Main St.
Benton, KS 67017
Phone: (316) 452-3505
Email: daniel.dall@limagrain.com
Varieties: LCS Atomic AX, LCS Galloway AX, LCS Helix AX, LCS Julep, LCS Photon AX, LCS Radar, LCS Runner, LCS Steel AX, LCS Warbird AX
Oklahoma Genetics Inc. (OGI)
Mark Hodges
201 South Range Road
Stillwater, OK 74074
Phone: (405) 744-4347
Email: hodgesm1@cox.net
Varieties: Bentley, Big Country, Breadbox, Breakthrough, Butler's Gold, Doublestop CL+, Firebox, Gallagher, Green Hammer, High Cotton, Iba, OK Corral, Paradox, Showdown, Smith's Gold, Strad CL+, Uncharted
PlainsGold (Colorado Wheat Research Foundation)
Brad Erker/Tyler Benninghoven
4026 S. Timberline Road Suite 100
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: (970) 449-6994
Email: tbenninghoven@coloradowheat.org
Varieties: Byrd CL Plus, Canvas, CO18035RA, Crescent AX, Kivari AX, Whistler
Watley Seeds
Andy Watley
PO Box 51
Spearman, TX 79081
Email: watleyseed@valornet.com
www.watleyseed.com
Varieties : TAM 112, TAM 115, TAM 204
WestBred
Lance Embree/Mark Lubbers
5014 W. 1st Ave
Stillwater, OK 74074
Phone: (316) 218-2661
Email: lance.embree@bayer.com
Email: mark.lubbers@bayer.com
Varieties: WB4401, WB4422, WB4632, WB4792
Funding provided by
- Oklahoma Wheat Commission
- Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation
- Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
- Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
- Entry fees from participating seed companies
We sincerely thank our variety trial cooperators for donation of land, time and resources. Variety trial cooperators include:
- Altus – Mike Schulz, OSU Southwest Research and Extension Center
- Alva – Joe Shirley
- Apache – Bryan Vail
- Balko – Teryl Rorabaugh
- Cherokee – Kenneth Failes
- Chickasha – Michael Pettijohn, OSU South Central Research Station
- El Reno – Jerry Lingo
- Hooker – Ernest & Dan Herald (not harvested due to the drought)
- Kildare – Don Schieber
- Kingfisher – LJ Reherman
- Lahoma – David Victor, OSU North Central Research Station
- Walters – Jimmy Kinder
Acknowledgements for Student Workers and Visiting Scholars
- Joao Victor Ferro
- Juan Ignacio Dietz
- Laura Victoria Silva
- Lettie Crabtree
Additional Information on the Web
A copy of this publication as well as additional information about wheat management
can be found at:
Website: www.wheat.okstate.edu
Blog: www.osuwheat.com
Twitter/X: @OSU_smallgrains
Facebook: OSU Small Grains