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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Plant Physiology and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #428686
Research Project: Molecular Genetic and Proximal Sensing Analyses of Abiotic Stress Response and Oil Production Pathways in Cotton, Oilseeds, and Other Industrial and Biofuel Crops

Location: Plant Physiology and Genetics Research

Title: 2024-2025 growth, physiology, yield, and quality evaluation of small grain varieties in Central Arizona

Author
item SINGH, BHUPINDER - University Of Arizona
item MUKHERJEE, AVIK - University Of Arizona
item Herritt, Matthew
item Abdel-Haleem, Hussein
item NORTON, RANDY - University Of Arizona

Submitted to: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/13/2025
Publication Date: 10/24/2025
Citation: Singh, B., Mukherjee, A., Herritt, M.T., Abdel-Haleem, H.A., Norton, R. 2025. 2024-2025 growth, physiology, yield, and quality evaluation of small grain varieties in Central Arizona. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Publication Number: az2161. https://doi.org/10150/678672.

Interpretive Summary: Selecting the right small grain variety is a key decision for Arizona growers aiming to maximize yield and profitability. This report presents performance data from seventeen commercially available spring-planted varieties of durum wheat, hard red wheat, hard white wheat, barley, and triticale evaluated at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. By comparing growth, physiology, yield, and grain quality across varieties, this trial helps identify options best suited to local conditions and management practices.

Technical Abstract: In Arizona’s arid cropping systems, selecting high-performing small grain cultivars is essential for optimizing yield and quality. This study evaluated seventeen commercially available spring-planted cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum, T. durum, T. turgidum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), and triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) at the University of Arizona’s Maricopa Agricultural Center during the 2024/25 growing season. Plots were established using a cone planter in a randomized design, with ten-row plots (6.5-inch spacing) measuring 20 feet in length and seeded at 100 lbs/acre. Cultural practices and site-specific details are documented in a companion extension publication (Singh et al., 2025).Physiological traits—including flag leaf net photosynthesis and chlorophyll content—were measured at anthesis to assess stress response and photosynthetic efficiency. Grain yield was recorded at harvest and adjusted to 12% moisture. Tables 2 and 3 summarize cultivar-specific performance across growth, physiology, yield, and grain quality metrics. These results provide regionally relevant data to guide variety selection and management decisions for spring small grains in Arizona.