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A study of wheat development in the field: Analysis by phases

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Eric Evans

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Abstract

The development of several winter and spring wheat varieties was investigated at two sites with up to eight sowing dates from 1989 to 1992. The life cycle from sowing to ear emergence was considered in phases from sowing to double ridge stage, double ridge to terminal spikelet stage and terminal spikelet stage to ear emergence, and explanations for the durations of each phase were sought in terms of thermal time, effective vernalization days and photoperiod. The life-cycle duration in thermal time from sowing until ear emergence declined as the sowing date became later. Assessed using a model function, vernalization was a major factor affecting the duration of the phase from sowing to double ridge stage for winter varieties. Some spring varieties showed small responses to vernalization. Photoperiod affected the duration of both the double ridge to terminal spikelet and the terminal spikelet to ear emergence phases. Some differences among extreme types were detected. The duration of the double ridge to ear emergence phases responded similarly to mean photoperiod in two successive years. This finding should prove useful in predicting ear emergence dates. However, the duration of double ridge to terminal spikelet and terminal spikelet to ear emergence phases at comparable photoperiods differed between years. Such differences may arise because the duration of later phases may also be affected by the environment during earlier phases, particularly the sowing to double ridge phases. Also, earlier phases affected the conditions when subsequent stages were attained; for example, the photoperiod during the double ridge to terminal spikelet phase was substantially modified by duration of the sowing to double ridge phases. In view of the importance of early stages of development in crop management techniques, the characterization of differences in response to vernalization among varieties is a priority for future research. However, progress depends on a fuller understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of response to low temperature.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Kirby EJM, Spink JH, Frost DL, Sylvester-Bradley R, Scott RK, Foulkes MJ, Clare RW, Evans EJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: European Journal of Agronomy

Year: 1999

Volume: 11

Issue: 1

Pages: 63-82

Print publication date: 01/06/1999

ISSN (print): 1161-0301

ISSN (electronic): 1873-7331

Publisher: Elsevier BV

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1161-0301(99)00022-2

DOI: 10.1016/S1161-0301(99)00022-2

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