David H. Teem
Small grain varieties were tested during the 1974-75 season by the Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station at 13 locations in the State. These tests were conducted to furnish information on the relative performance of varieties and not as an absolute measure of the yielding potential of a variety in an area of the State. The 1974-75 season was characterized by a mild winter, especially in southern Alabama, and an unusually wet spring. Both of these were favorable for a high incidence of diseases which reduced yields. Although the winter was mild, rusts were not a serious problem in the tests this season. Powdery mildew and Septoria leaf and glume blotch were the primary problems on wheat. Other diseases causing damage were primarily, anthracnose on rye, Helminthosporium leaf blotch on oats, spot and net blotch on barley, and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus on oats and barley.
