PULLMAN HARD WINTER WHEAT – 2005 WSU VARIETY TESTING DATA   2005 Soft Winter Wheat YIELD DATA from the WSU Variety Testing nursery at the Pullman location averaged 96.9 bu/ac and was lower than the 3-year historical average of 116.6 bu/ac.  However, it is worth noting a couple of  other factors influenced lower average yields in 2005: (#1) Stripe rust susceptible varieties (such as Moreland, Hatton, Falcon, Buchanan, Wanser and Weston) had substantially reduced yields from stripe rust, (#2) increased plant height and subsequent lodging in the 2005 nursery contributed to lower yields in some varieties.  NOTE:  The Pullman nursery was located approximately 8 miles south of Pullman, WA off Sand Road (N. Druffel & Sons farm). This nursery was planted on 1 Oct 2004 into excellent soil moisture.  Fall 2004 GROWING CONDITIONS coupled with timely precipitation patterns in late spring 2005 undoubtedly were ideal for winter wheat development in this region for the 2005 crop. STRIPE RUST infections were severe on susceptible varieties.  Evaluations taken on 23 June 2005 showed nearly 100% infection on Moreland, Hatton, Falcon, Buchanan, Wanser and Weston.  Most dramatic is Moreland that yielded only 12.1 bu/ac with a 47.8 lb/bu test weight.  This nursery was not treated with a fungicide for stripe rust control.  Protein values averaged 12.3% for this nursery.  Total nitrogen available to this nursery was 349.8#N.  PLANT HEIGHT values above normal are similar to other locations and also indicative of the high yield values in 2005.  Average plant height of the hard winter varieties in the 2005 nursery was 45.2 inches compared to an average plant height of 39.7 inches in the 2004 nursery – over 5-inches taller in 2005.  Associated with increased plant height was a much higher level of LODGING, 59.9% average in the 2005 nursery compared with only 6.7% in the 2004 nursery at this location.  There was a fairly strong trend that showed decreased yields with increased levels of lodging, especially if varieties that had severe stripe rust were not included in the comparisons.  YIELD RANKING trends among varieties at this location remained fairly consistent with the historical yield rankings.