Wheat Cultivar Response to Grazed and Ungrazed Production Systems

Abstract

Wheat grown on the Southern Great Plains is frequently utilized for both grazing and grain. The effects of grazing on grain yield are controversial. Semidwarf and tall cultivars were compared in grazed and ungrazed production systems where the major variables were wheat planting date and grazing duration. Semidwarf cultivars outyielded tall cultivars regardless of wheat planting date or duration of grazing. The grain yield advantage of semidwarf cultivars was greatest (up to 58%) in the most productive environment (late plant ungrazed) and least (5%) in the early planted wheat with longer grazing duration. Lodging resistance and grain yield potential were important cultivar attributes correlated with response to production system. Grazing induced attributes correlated with response to production system. Grazing induced reduction in height and lodging potential is more likely to benefit tall cultivars than semidwarf, lodging-resistant cultivars.