Sugar beets (Beta vulgaris var. saccharifera) were grown in the greenhouse at 10 different constant root temperatures. The temperature intervals were maintained at 2.8 C between 12.8 and 37.8 C. Optimum root temperature for sugar beet emergence occurred in the range of 25–35 C. The optimum root temperature for dry matter production in sugar beet tops progressively decreased from 26.3 C at 6 weeks following emergence to 23C at 13 weeks following emergence. Optimum temperatures for sugar beet roots remained between 24 and 25 C for the 7‐week period. Percent sucrose in the sugar beet roots increased with root temperatures above 19 C. High sucrose yields were obtained between 18 and 32 C, with rapid decreases outside of this range. Concentrations of N, P, K, and Na in the sugar beet tops and roots were not dependent on root temperatures; thus, the total uptake of these nutrients was directly proportional to dry matter accumulation in the plant.

The development of oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars with improved grain yield and excellent test weight is necessary to increase the profitability of oat production. 'Natty' (Reg. no. CV-385, PI 676027) was developed by the South Dakota State University (SDSU) oat breeding program and was released in 2014. The pedigree of Natty is SD020701//SD030888/ND030349. Natty exhibited high grain yield potential and excellent test weight when evaluated in the South Dakota Crop Performance Testing Oat Variety Trials and in the Uniform Early Oat Performance Nursery. The grain of Natty is characterized by a large proportion of plump kernels and groats with low beta-glucan and oil content. Natty is resistant to smut, moderately susceptible to susceptible to crown rust, and moderately tolerant to Barley yellow dwarf virus. Natty is a tall and early-maturing cultivar suited for the production of oat grain for the feed market. Although its milling quality is good, the low beta-glucan content of Natty is not desirable for the food market. Based on its height, Natty is also suited for straw production. Three of the oat cultivars released by SDSU were named after Lon Hall's grandchildren; Natty is one of them. Lon Hall was oat breeder at SDSU from 2001 to 2014.

Despite a signiicant decrease over the last 50 years, the production of oats (Avena sativa L.) presents both environmental and health beneits. When incorporated in crop rotations, oat has the potential to improve soil health and to break pest cycles in corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations. In addition, the presence of a soluble dietary iber (b-glucan) in oat grain can help prevent cholesterol, coronary heart diseases, and type 2 diabetes. The development of new oat cultivars with superior productivity and high test weight is required to improve the attractiveness of the crop to producers and to maintain or increase oat production in the United States. 'Hayden' (Reg. No. CV-383, PI 676028) is a spring oat cultivar developed at South Dakota State University and released by the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in 2014. The pedigree of Hayden is 'Buckskin'//ND011054/SD020835. Hayden was developed using a modiied bulk and single seed descent selection method. Hayden is a white hulled cultivar with mid-to-late maturity. Hayden was evaluated in the South Dakota Crop Performance Testing Oat Variety Trial from 2013 to 2015 and in the Uniform Mid-Season Oat Performance Nursery in 2013 and 2014 under the experimental number SD111972. Hayden was released because of its excellent yield potential, good yield stability, and high test weight. It is resistant to smut and moderately tolerant to Barley yellow dwarf virus. Hayden also demonstrates good overall milling and nutritional quality. Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Science Dep., South Dakota State Univ., Brookings, SD.O at (Avena sativa L.) grain production in the United States has declined signiicantly over the last 50 years. he Upper Midwest accounts for a large proportion of US oat production. With 183.27 million kg produced in 2015 (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2015), South Dakota is one of the main oat producing states in the United States. Including spring oats in corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations presents an advantage because it can break pest cycles and improve soil health. Oat grain is used mainly for feed and for food. he race horse feed market requires white-hulled cultivars with high test weight. To meet the requirement of the food market, it is desirable that new cultivars exhibit high test weight, high groat percentage, and high thousand kernel weight, as well as demonstrate a b-glucan concentration higher than 4%. Because oat grains contain b-glucan, a soluble iber promoting health beneits, the market for milling quality oats is increasing. To ensure that food products made with oats remain afordable for consumers, it is necessary to maintain or increase oat production. To increase the attractiveness of oats to farmers in the region, new oat cultivars must be developed with improved productivity and marketability. he objective of the South Dakota State University breeding program was to develop a new white-hulled oat cultivar with increased grain yield, high test weight, and ...

More awareness from consumers on the health benefits of oat (Avena sativa L.) in the last few decades has increased the demand for oat. However, in the United States, oat production has continued to decline. Most of the oats used in U.S. food products are imported from Canada. Although oats are known to fit well in corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] rotations, difficulties in marketing the grain and relatively low prices in comparison to corn and soybeans have limited the number of acres planted to oats. High‐yielding oat cultivars adapted to the Northern Great Plains with high test weight and good milling characteristics are needed. ‘Rushmore’ (Reg. no. CV‐388, PI 698122) is a spring oat cultivar released by the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in 2019. Rushmore was derived from the three‐way cross SD080015//SD070110/SD060130 and developed using a modified bulk and single‐seed descent method. Prior to release, Rushmore was tested in the uniform early oat performance nursery in 2016 and 2017 and in the South Dakota Crop Performance Testing oat variety trial since 2017. Rushmore was evaluated as experimental line SD140515 and evaluated for grain yield, test weight, disease resistance, lodging resistance, grain shape, milling characteristics, and grain composition. Rushmore was released to oat producers due to its combination of high grain yield, excellent test weight, lodging and disease resistance, and good milling characteristics. The excellent test weight potential of Rushmore is expected to help producers in marketing their grain to the feed and food industries.