Leaf and green area development of durum wheat genotypes grown under Mediterranean conditions

Future increases in the potential yield of wheat will require an improvement in the photosynthetic area in early growth stages. Our aim was to investigate the genotypic and environmental effects on the pattern of leaf and green area development of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. cv. durum). Twenty-five genotypes were grown during 2 years under irrigated and rainfed conditions in Lleida (northeastern Spain). Leaf area index (LAI) and green area index (GAI) were determined on eight occasions from seedling to maturity and data were fitted to an asymmetric logistic peak curve. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to assess the curve characteristics responsible for differences between years, sites and genotypes. Genotypic differences in the pattern of changes in LAI and GAI from sowing to maturity were not statistically significant, indicating a lack of genetic diversity for these traits in the germplasm used in this study. A decrease in the peak of the curves of 27% for LAI and 35% for GAI was observed under rainfed conditions compared to the irrigated site. Drought caused a lengthening of crop development until anthesis of about 2% (3–4 days). Contrarily, the time from sowing to the maximum LAI and GAI values were reduced by drought in around 10%, causing an acceleration of the onset of plant senescence. Once started, the senescence of the green organs of the plant was more rapid at the irrigated than at the rainfed site. It is concluded that LAI and GAI patterns were more influenced by the environment (mainly water availability) than by the genotype. The results suggest a certain degree of independent regulation for phenological development and the swiftness of green area accumulation in the plant.