Phosphorus fertilizer represents a significant portion of the cost of producing small grains. Some evidence exists that there are differences in the ability of small grain varieties to take phosphorus up from the soil and utilize this nutrient in the grain. The objective of this study is to determine if barley and wheat varieties grown in Arizona differ in their response to phosphorus fertilizer. A study was conducted for the third year at the Maricopa Agricultural Center testing the response of 7 barley and 14 wheat (12 durum wheat and 2 bread wheat) varieties to 2 phosphorus rates (0 and 100 lbs P₂O₅/acre). Averaged over varieties, the grain yield increase due to phosphorus application of 100 lbs P₂O₅/acre was 346 lbs/acre for barley and 516 lbs/acre for wheat, similar to previous years. Despite the wide range of apparent yield response (0 to over 1000 lbs/acre) of the varieties to P fertilizer, these differences were not statistically significant. Furthermore, there was no consistency in the yield response of the varieties between this year and last year. Some of the varieties that responded greatest to P fertilizer last year, responded least this year, and vice versa. Therefore, there appears to be no differences in the response of barley and wheat varieties typically grown in Arizona to phosphorus fertilizer.

Common barley diseases observed in North Dakota include net blotch, spot blotch, leaf and stripe rust, bacterial leaf streak, and Fusarium head blight. The first objective of this research was to determine the effect of variety and fungicide timing on disease development of barley under conventionally tilled systems. Five field trials were performed in 2016-2017 to test the effect of common varieties and fungicide applications on foliar disease of barley. Overall, varietal selection had a greater effect on the level of foliar disease observed than fungicide application. The second objective focused on the efficacy and timing of adepidyn and prothioconazole + tebuconazole on Fusarium head blight. An inoculated greenhouse experiment was performed the fall of 2017 to determine the effectiveness of fungicide timing at half-spike, full-spike, and five days after full-spike. The protectant capabilities of the fungicides were greater than their curative properties.

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Nine varieties of barley were tested at the Safford Agricultural Center in response to growers' requests for high yielding barley varieties with the potential to mature more quickly than Gustoe. Gustoe was the top- yielding variety with 5,551 pounds per acre. A University of California variety was a close second but it has the same maturity as Gustoe. The varieties that mature more quickly, Barcott and Fiesta, yielded approximately 1,500 pounds fewer than Gustoe.

Eight barley varieties were tested in a replicated variety trial in northern Cochise county. These varieties varied from relatively early maturing varieties, such as Barcot4 to the longer maturing varieties, such as Gustoe. The medium -late variety, Northrup King 1558, was the top - yielding variety, with 7,185 pounds per acre. This exceeded the yield of the standard variety, Gustoe, by 15 percent, making NK 1558 a variety that should be looked at further. It will be marketed by Northrup King under the name Sunbar 458.

Ten varieties of oats were grown in a trial to test grain yield. Five of the varieties produced more than 4,000 pounds per acre; the top - yielding variety, Ogle, from Minnesota, produced 4,578 pounds per acre. Difficulties in establishing a perfect stand with the small plot grain drill would probably mean that a farmer could expect yields higher than these when using full -sized equipment. Considering the premium for oats, oats for grain could be a viable alternative crop.

Eleven oat varieties were tested for grain and forage yields at the Safford Agricultural Center. Cayuse, the predominant variety grown in the area was the top producer of total dry matter. Four other varieties had higher grain yields than Cayuse.

Variety mixtures may lessen competition among plants and reduce effects of stress particularly in environments where resources are limiting. Mixtures of four barley varieties were grown under low input conditions at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. The barley varieties seeded were Barcott, Solum, Solar, and an experimental low input line designated Entry 9. The highest yields were not obtained with mixtures in this experiment, but rather when the varieties were grown alone. Barcott and Entry 9 decreased yield when part of the mixture more than Solum or Solar. When Solum was grown in a mixture rather than alone, test weight and lodging were improved, but yield was decreased.

This work represents the first year of a 3-year testing program to identify low input wheat and barley entries with higher test weight and less lodging than Solum barley. Twenty lines each of barley and wheat were grown at the Maricopa Agricultural Center with one, two, or seven irrigations. Several barley entries yielded similar to Solum but had much higher test weight and less lodging. None of the wheat entries were as productive as Solum with one or two irrigations this year, but several exhibited good yield potential and lodging resistance with seven irrigations.