Durum varieties are tested each year at numerous sites throughout North Dakota. The relative performance of these varieties is shown in table form. Variety performance data are used to provide variety recommendations to producers.

Some varieties may not be included in the tables due to insufficient testing, lack of seed availability or they offer no yield or disease advantage over similar varieties. Additional data from county sites are available at http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/variety and from each research and extension center. Descriptions of most common varieties grown in the region are included for informational purposes. To decrease the potential of making errors when choosing a variety, it is best to use data combined from multiple locations and years.

Information contained in this circular is based on research conducted by the following experiment station scientists, plant breeders, cereal scientists, and plant pathologists.
 

E. Elias - Durum Breeder	F. Manthey - Cereal Science	T. Friesen - USDA
J. Rasmussen - Plant Pathology	S. Ali - Plant Pathology	M. McMullen - Plant Pathology
R. Stack - Plant Pathology	B. Schatz - Carrington	S. Zwinger - Carrington
P. Carr - Dickinson	E. Eriksmoen - Hettinger	B. Hanson - Langdon
M. Halvorson - Minot	N. Riveland - Williston

Durum wheat varieties currently grown in North Dakota are described in the following tables. Successful durum production depends on numerous factors including selecting the right variety for a particular area. The information included in this publication is meant to aid in selecting that variety or group of varieties. Characteristics to evaluate in selecting a variety are: yield potential in your area; test weight; straw strength and plant height; reaction to important diseases; and maturity. Selecting varieties with good milling and pasta quality is also important to maintain market recognition.

Every growing season differs, therefore, when selecting a top yielding variety it is best to use data that summarizes several years and locations. The notion that the single data set nearest your farm will indicate which variety will perform the best for you is incorrect. Choose the variety that on average performs the best at multiple locations near you over several years.

• Table 1. 2004 North Dakota durum wheat variety description, agronomic traits.
• Table 2. North Dakota durum wheat variety quality descriptions, milling and processing data, averaged for five years (1998-2002) from Advanced Yield Trials.
• Table 3. North Dakota durum wheat variety quality descriptions, milling and processing data for 2002 at all locations in the Advanced Yield Trials.
• Table 4. Yield of durum varieties at two locations in Eastern North Dakota, 2001-2003.
• Table 5. Yield of durum varieties at four locations in Western North Dakota, 2001-2003.
• Table 6. Protein of durum varieties at five locations in North Dakota, 2003 data.
• Table 7. Test weight of durum varieties at six locations in North Dakota, 2003 data.

North Dakota State University
NDSU Extension Service