Interactions between crop biomass and development of foliar diseases in winter wheat and the potential to graduate the fungicide dose according to crop biomass

Foliar pathogens such as Zymoseptoria tritici and Puccinia striiformis causing septoria leaf blotch and yellow rust respectively can cause serious yield reduction in winter wheat production, and control of the diseases often requires several fungicide applications during the growing season. Control is typically carried out using a constant fungicide dose in the entire field although there may be large differences in crop development and biomass across the field. The objective of the study reported in this paper was to test whether the fungicide dose response curve controlling septoria leaf blotch and other foliar diseases in winter wheat was dependent on crop development and biomass level. If such a biomass dependent dose response was found it was further the purpose to evaluate the potential to optimize fungicide inputs in winter wheat crops applying a site-specific crop density dependent fungicide dose. The study was carried out investigating fungicide dose response controlling foliar diseases in winter wheat at three biomass densities obtained growing the crop at three nitrogen levels and using variable seed rates. Further the field experiments included three fungicide dose rates at each biomass level, an untreated control, and 75%, 50% and 33% of the recommended fungicide dose rate and the experiments were replicated for three years. Crop biomass had a significant influence on occurrence of septoria and yellow rust with greater disease severity at increasing crop biomass. In two of three years, the interaction of crop biomass and fungicide dose rate had a significant influence on disease severity indicating a biomass-dependent dose response. The interaction occurred in the two years with high yield potential in combination with severe disease attack. If the variation in crop density and biomass level obtained in the study is representative of the variation found cultivating winter wheat in heterogeneous fields, then there seems to be scope for optimizing fungicide input against foliar diseases site-specific adapting the dose according to crop density/biomass.     

Research Advances in High-Yielding Cultivation and Physiology of Super Rice

In 1996,China launched a program to breed super rice or super hybrid rice by combining intersubspecific heterosis with ideal plant types.Today,approximately 80 super rice varieties have been released and some of them show high grain yields of 12-21 t/hm2 in field experiments.The main reasons for the high yields of super rice varieties,compared with those of conventional varieties,can be summarized as follows:more spikelets per panicle and larger sink size (number of spikelets per square meter);larger leaf area index,longer duration of green leaf,greater photosynthetic rate,higher lodging resistance,greater dry matter accumulation before the heading stage,greater remobilization of pre-stored carbohydrates from stems and leaves to grains during the grain-filling period;and larger root system and greater root activity.However,there are two main problems in super rice production:poor grain-filling of the later-flowering inferior spikelets (in contrast to earlier-flowering superior spikelets),and low and unstable seed-setting rate.Here,we review recent research advances in the crop physiology of super rice,focusing on biological features,formation of yield components,and population quality.Finally,we suggest further research on crop physiology of super rice.     

大麦新品种蒙啤麦6号的选育及栽培技术

蒙啤麦6号(原代号11PJ-005)为内蒙古自治区农牧业科学院作物育种与栽培研究所通过杂交育种培育的新品种,2019年9月通过非主要农作物品种登记审核。经品系鉴定、品系比较、区域试验及生产示范,均表现高产、优质、酿造品质好等特点。蒙啤麦6号属春性二棱皮大麦中熟品种,生育期66~90 d,株高56.0~84.4 cm,穗长7.1~7.5 cm,主穗粒数20~24粒/穗,千粒质量40.9~54.9 g,籽粒蛋白质含量11.7%。该品种中抗条纹病、网斑病,高感根腐病,抗倒性强,适宜在内蒙古及邻近省份春季种植。     

Lodging yield penalties as affected by breeding in Mediterranean wheats

Stem lodging, a permanent displacement of cereal stems which may reduce wheat yields significantly, affects wheat crops in both developed and developing countries, mainly under high-yielding conditions. Although breeding has decreased these losses by reducing the likelihood of the plant lodging through reduced height (mainly by the introgression of dwarfing genes), lodging continues to affect wheat yields. We aimed to quantify how wheat breeding has modified the sensitivity of yield to lodging, identifying physiological causes for yield reductions. Two field experiments were carried out in Mediterranean Spain during the 2006/07 and 2007/08 growing seasons. The first season two genotypes (Aragon 03 and ID-2151) and two lodging treatments (control and lodged near anthesis) were analysed. The second season four genotypes (Aragon 03, Estrella, Anza and ID-2151) and three lodging treatments (control, lodged from either jointing to maturity or anthesis to maturity) were imposed. In addition, in the 2007/08 experiment the source-sink ratios of five representative spikes of each plot were modified through hand trimming all spikelets from one side of each spike soon after anthesis. Yield losses due to early lodging were reduced by wheat breeding: yield penalties in the oldest and newest genotypes were 61% and 43% (mean values of both lodging treatments), respectively while it was 57% in intermediate cultivars (mean value of both lodging treatments and cultivars). Lodging decreased both the number of grains per m² and the average grain weight (AGW). The decrease of the number of grains per m² was associated with reductions in the crop growth, while the AGW loss seemed related to both a reduction of the availability of assimilates to fill grains and a direct effect on grain size potential. Lodged plants exhibited stronger source-limitation during grain filling than those un-lodged, while the response of the grain weight to sink-strength reductions in lodged plants was very similar to that in the un-trimmed controls, indicating that grain filling in un-lodged and in strongly lodged canopies was similarly balanced in terms of source-sink ratios.     

The impact of Septoria tritici blotch in bread making quality among argentinean wheat cultivars

Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by Zymoseptoria tritici is a relevant foliar wheat disease worldwide. Several reports show the importance of STB on grain yield, their components and grain protein while little is known about its effect on the rheological properties of the wheat flour. The scarce literature found, only mentions the effect of the complex of foliar diseases on wheat quality, without individualizing the effect of the different pathogens separately. This study analyze the influence of increasing doses of inoculum of Zymoseptoria tritici, on the bread making quality of ten Argentinean wheat cultivars and its possible variation according to their quality group. The increase of inoculum concentration augmented the area under disease progress curve, decreased green flag leaf area duration and green leaf area duration. Cultivars K. Flecha and B.75 Aniversario had the lowest green flag leaf area duration causing higher reduction in grain filling period and higher reductions in P, indicating a lower gliadin/glutenin ratio. STB decreased P/L and E while L, W, D, SV and bread volume increased. Cultivars differed in rheological parameters according to their quality group. Gluten/protein relationship was significant in quality group 1 and non-significant in cultivars belonging to quality group 2 and 3.     

不同春生叶龄期追氮对冬小麦产量形成和抗倒性能的影响

为明确兼顾冬小麦高产和抗倒伏的春季最佳追氮时期,设置品种、追氮期二因素裂区试验,其中,2015-2016年以山农16（SN16）和石新828（SX828）2个品种为主区,2016-2017年以藁优2018（GY2018）、科农2009（KN2009）和石4366（SH4366）3个品种为主区,两年均以春3、4、5、6叶伸出时分别追施总施N量240 kg·hm^-2中的50%氮肥（分别用N3～N6表示）为副区。在关键生育时期调查群体总茎数,成熟期调查茎秆抗倒伏相关性状及产量构成因素。结果表明,拔节至孕穗期一般以N3或N4处理总茎数最多,开花至成熟期一般以N4处理的穗数最多,N5处理的成穗率最高;孕穗期至开花后24 d,N4处理的叶面积指数（LAI）最大,N6处理的最小;大部分品种以N4处理的株高最高,不同叶龄期追氮处理的重心高度则因品种而异;N4处理小麦基部第2节间最长,节间充实度和机械强度最小,N3和N4处理的抗倒指数最低。抗倒指数和机械强度与株高、重心高度、节间长度均呈极显著负相关,与节间直径、茎壁厚度和充实度均呈极显著正相关。不同叶龄期追氮对每公顷穗数和穗粒数的影响较小,大部分小麦品种以N4处理的穗数最多,且施氮处理间的差异一般不显著。石新828和藁优2018各施氮处理千粒重的差异不显著,另外3个品种N4处理的千粒重高于其他处理。5个品种中除藁优2018以N5处理的籽粒产量最高外,其他品种均以N4处理的籽粒产量最高,且均与N5处理的差异不显著。综合来看,春4叶期追氮产量性状最优而倒伏风险最大;春5叶期追氮的籽粒产量与春4叶期追氮的差异不显著,但其抗倒能力显著提高,可以兼顾高产和抗倒伏,因此,春5叶期为河北平原春季最佳追氮时期。在灌水条件常成为限制因素的该地区小麦生产中,春4叶至春5叶期根据水源情况灌水和随水追施氮肥,都是比较适宜的。     

Model of stripe rust infection and control on irrigated wheat in the murrumbidgee irrigation areas of new South Wales

A well-developed epidemic of stripe rust on a field crop of a susceptible wheat cultivar (cv. Avocet) led to significant yield reductions compared to plots which were protected with regular applications of the fungicide triadimefon (Bayleton®). A modified logistic transformation of the leaf infection data provided values of apparent infection rate, r, which are required for use in simulation models of disease progress and predicted yield loss, such as epidemic and epipre. Flagleaf area at early water stage of the kernels (86 days following sowing, DFS; Zadoks growth stage 70), afforded a good prediction of grain yield. Stripe rust infection of the flag leaf had a strong negative effect on final grain yields larger than would have been predicted solely from a loss of photosynthetic area. Flood irrigation did not affect the level of disease on the flag leaf at 86 DFS nor the apparent infection rate of stripe rust on the flag leaf. Irrigation gave increased grain yield only in sprayed treatments. Conversely, while there was a yield response due to fungicide application to cv. Avocet in both irrigated and non-irrigated plots, the cost benefit of spraying the latter was marginal.     

特大穗优质籼稻不育系桂A的选育

桂A是广西大学支农开发中心以自选的95A为母本,自育的桂占为父本杂交并经多代回交转育而成的特大穗优质籼稻不育系。桂A不育性稳定,柱头发达、外露率高,异交结实率高,易于繁殖制种,而且植株高大,茎秆坚韧,抗倒伏,米质优,可恢复性好,配合力高,2003年通过广西区科技厅成果鉴定。     

五个水稻籼粳杂种一代与其双亲生物学特性的比较研究

 1990年和1991年 在13 3 m2 群体条件下，5个水稻籼梗杂种一代稻谷产量为7.61～ 10.61 t／hm2，具明显的杂种优势，超中亲值13.96％～84.26％。 籼粳杂种在生物学特性上主要表现为：由于每穗颖花大而使库容量超中亲值27.68％ ～71.15％；叶面积指数大和叶面积延续时间长导致作物生长率较高，而使得生物学产量超中亲值11.79％ ～41.27％；经济系数不表现优势。在栽培和育种上宜将高而稳的结实率作为高产主要目标，稳定经济系教，保持适宜群体叶面积。     

Field evaluation of durum wheat landraces for prevailing abiotic and biotic stresses in highland rainfed regions of Iran

Biotic and abiotic stresses are major limiting factors for high crop productivity worldwide. A landrace collection consisting of 380 durum wheat(Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) entries originating in several countries along with four check varieties were evaluated for biotic stresses:yellow rust(Puccinia striiformis Westendorf f. sp. tritici) and wheat stem sawfly(WSS) Cephus cinctus Norton(Hymenoptera: Cephidae), and abiotic stresses: cold and drought. The main objectives were to(i) quantify phenotypic diversity and identify variation in the durum wheat landraces for the different stresses and(ii) characterize the agronomic profiles of landraces in reaction to the stresses. Significant changes in reactions of landraces to stresses were observed.Landraces resistant to each stress were identified and agronomically characterized.Percentage reduction due to the stresses varied from 11.4%(yellow rust) to 21.6%(cold stress) for 1000-kernel weight(TKW) and from 19.9(yellow rust) to 91.9%(cold stress) for grain yield. Landraces from Asia and Europe showed enhanced genetic potential for both grain yield and cold tolerance under highland rainfed conditions of Iran. The findings showed that TKW and yield productivity could be used to assess the response of durum wheat landraces to different stresses. In conclusion, landraces showed high levels of resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses, and selected landraces can serve in durum wheat breeding for adaptation to cold and drought-prone environments.     

湖北省小麦种质资源的分布及农艺性状和抗病性评价

为了解湖北省小麦种质资源特性并发掘可供育种利用的优良基因资源,对保存的874份湖北省小麦种质资源从地理分布、农艺性状、品质及抗病性方面进行了统计分析和综合评价。结果表明：（1）湖北省小麦种质主要分布在平原和丘陵地区,江汉平原麦区分布数量最多,而鄂西北山地麦区小麦资源最为富集,除东经112°74′至114°15′之间、北纬31°18′至32°09′之间和北纬29°37′以南地区分布较少外,其他地区分布较为均匀;（2）供试小麦种质以具有长芒、白壳、红粒、弱冬性和中熟等性状为主,4个产量性状（株高、穗长、千粒重和穗粒数）和4个品质性状（硬度、沉淀值、粗蛋白和赖氨酸含量）的变异幅度大,多样性指数高;（3）抗病性以对根腐病、黄矮病和条锈病抗性最强,而对赤霉、叶锈、秆锈及白粉病的抗性较差;（4）各性状多样性指数从大到小依次为：千粒重＞粗蛋白含量＝赖氨酸含量＞株高＞穗粒数＞沉淀值＞穗长＞硬度＞条锈病抗性＝黄矮病抗性＞根腐叶病抗性＞成熟期＞赤霉病抗性＞根腐穗病抗性＞冬春性＞芒＞壳色＞白粉病抗性＞粒色＞叶锈病抗性＞秆锈病抗性。     

中熟类型甬优籼粳杂交稻组合产量优势形成及其形态生理特征

以中熟类型甬优籼粳杂交稻组合甬优2640、甬优1640为材料,常规粳稻镇稻11、武运粳30和杂交籼稻丰两优香1号、新两优6380为对照,比较各类型品种在干物质积累、穗部特征、叶片形态及茎秆特性上的差异。结果表明,甬优籼粳杂交稻两年平均产量为11.3 t/hm~2(11.1、11.4 t/hm~2),较常规粳稻和杂交籼稻分别高6.6%和13.0%;产量构成上,甬优籼粳杂交稻的每穗粒数和群体颖花量显著高于对照,有效穗数、结实率和千粒重低于对照;甬优籼粳杂交稻抽穗期、成熟期的干物质量及抽穗至成熟期的干物质积累量依次为13.4 t/hm2、21.6 t/hm~2、6.9 t/hm~2,均显著高于对照;穗部特征上,甬优籼粳杂交稻的单穗质量和着粒密度高于对照,穗长略低于杂交籼稻,近80%的籽粒集中于中上部,而常规粳稻75%的籽粒集中于中下部,杂交籼稻籽粒分布相对匀称;甬优籼粳杂交稻上3叶的叶宽和卷曲率高于对照,叶长和叶基角处于对照之间(以杂交籼稻最大),披垂度最低,上部1、3叶差异显著;株高、穗高、秆长及穗下节间占秆长的比例以杂交籼稻甬优籼粳杂交稻常规粳稻;成熟期单茎茎干质量、单茎鞘干质量及基部节间单位长度干质量以甬优籼粳杂交稻最高。中熟类型甬优籼粳杂交稻组合产量优势特征为足穗基础上,主攻大穗,并保持较高的结实率和千粒重;形态生理特征表现为籽粒集中于中上部,上3叶大小适宜,叶片内卷且直立,株高及穗下节间占秆长的比例适中,成熟期茎秆充实度好。     

种植密度对不同穗型冬小麦品种结实特性和产量的影响

为了明确种植密度对冬小麦结实特性和产量的影响，于2020-2021年以大穗型品种衡观35和多穗型品种济麦22为试验材料，设置4个种植密度水平，分别为每公顷基本苗180万（D180）、300万（D300）、420万（D420）和540万（D540）株，比较分析了不同种植密度下冬小麦小花结实、籽粒空间分布特征和产量的差异。结果表明，随着种植密度的降低，衡观35主茎穗上部和I分蘖穗下部、济麦22主茎和I分蘖穗中上部小穗位的结实粒数呈增加的趋势。降低种植密度促进了两个品种穗中部小穗位弱势小花、上部和下部小穗位强势小花的结实。衡观35主茎穗中上部和I分蘖穗中部小穗位的结实粒数均高于济麦22。开花期穗干重与可孕小花数呈显著正相关。低种植密度处理下开花期穗干重的增加为其获得较高的穗粒数奠定了良好的物质基础。种植密度对千粒重影响不显著，但显著降低了衡观35的穗数。由于产量构成三要素的协调作用，两个品种均在D300处理下获得了最高产量，但与其余种植密度处理间差异均不显著。综合来看，在保证穗数的前提下，适当降低种植密度会促进冬小麦主茎和分蘖穗结实，进而增加穗粒数和产量，可节约生产成本，有利于冬小麦绿色高产高效生产。     

优质高产杂交粳稻新组合徐优201的选育及利用

徐优201(徐9320A×徐恢201)是一个优质高产杂交中粳新组合。2003—2004年参加江苏省杂交中粳区试和生产试验,2 a区试平均比对照9优138增产6.44%,生产试验比对照增产13.94%。大面积种植产量在9.50 t/hm2左右。米质理化指标达国标3级优质稻谷标准。该组合还表现株型优良,长势繁茂,穗大粒多,灌浆速度快,结实率高,抗病抗倒性强,高产稳产性好,适应性广。2005年2月通过江苏省农作物品种审定。     

Analysis of High Yielding Ability in a Rice Cultivar Akisayaka

Abstract

The yielding ability of a new rice cultivar Akisayaka was compared with that of a standard rice cultivar Yumehikari. The refined grain yield was 9% larger in Akisayaka than in Yumehikari since Akisayaka had more panicles and spikelets per unit area but had a similar percentage of ripened grain. Although the leaf area index (LAI) in Akisayaka was similar to that in Yumehikari, the leaf area of the flag leaf per unit area of Akisayaka was smaller than that of Yumehikari at the full heading stage. This indicates that Akisayaka had a larger number of smaller upper leaves than Yumehikari. The refined grain weight of Akisayaka was similar to that of Yumehikari at 30 days after heading. This implies that the plant type of Akisayaka is not so important for increasing dry matter production from early to middle ripening period although small upper leaves seems to suppress overluxuriant growth. Accordingly the most important factor for the high yield of Akisayaka was considered to exist in the late ripening stage. The refined grain weight of Akisayaka increased more rapidly than that of Yumehikari from 30 to 45 days after heading. In addition, the leaf chlorophyll content estimated with chlorophyll meter (SPAD) and top dry weight of Akisayaka exceeded those of Yumehikari at the late ripening stage. These results suggest that the large number of spikelets per unit area and the continuation of sink and source ability during the late ripening stage caused the high yielding ability of Akisayaka.     

两个杂交粳稻组合超高产生长特性的研究

 : 将两个杂交粳稻组合（陵香优18和常优1号）于大田条件下种植,对超高产（产量＞12.0 t/hm2）田块的水稻物质生产和产量形成生长特性进行了分析。结果表明,与高产栽培（CK, 10.5～11.0 t/hm2）水稻相比,超高产栽培水稻穗数、每穗粒数显著高于CK,结实率和千粒重略高于CK,但差异不显著;超高产栽培水稻二次枝梗数、二次枝梗总粒数显著高于CK;有效分蘖临界叶龄期之前,超高产栽培条件下水稻生长比CK快,在有效分蘖临界叶龄期茎蘖数达到预期的穗数,叶面积指数、光合势、干物质积累和群体生长率较CK大;有效分蘖临界叶龄期至拔节期,超高产栽培条件下水稻生长平稳,无效分蘖发生少,高峰苗低,叶面积指数、光合势、干物质积累和群体生长率较CK小;拔节以后,超高产栽培条件下水稻茎蘖数下降平缓,成穗率高,叶面积指数、光合势、干物质积累和群体生长率较CK高,尤其是抽穗以后,超高产栽培条件下水稻具有明显的生长优势,叶面积指数、光合势、干物质积累和群体生长率均极显著高于CK。     

栽培模式和花后去叶对小麦产量及其构成的影响

在黄土高原南部半湿润易旱区以土垫旱耕人为土为供试土壤，进行大田试验，研究了不同栽培模式下花后去叶对产量及其构成的影响。结果表明，不同栽培模式对穗粒数、千粒重和籽粒产量的影响差异显著（P〈0．05），集雨面栽培下穗粒数最多；全程覆膜、覆膜150d和集雨面栽培模式千粒重显著高于常规栽培和三密一稀栽培；全程覆膜栽培下籽粒产量最高。去叶处理对稳粒数、千粒重和籽粒产量影响差异显著（P〈O．05），各去叶处理穗粒数均大于对照。不同去叶处理千粒重均小于不去叶对照。不同去叶处理籽粒产量大小顺序为去全旗叶〉对照〉只保留旗叶〉去1／2旗叶〉去旗叶、倒二叶。去叶处理对穗粒数、千粒重和籽粒产量的影响因栽培模式不同而有差异。     

Progress and challenge towards reducing wheat spot blotch threat in the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South Asia: Is climate change already taking its toll?

Spot blotch, caused by Cochliobolus sativus, is a serious constraint to wheat production (Triticum aestivum L.) in the warmer plains of South Asia. Fourteen genotypes were tested in Bangladesh, India and Nepal during 6 years (2000–2005) to determine disease severity and resistance stability over these years. We analyzed the area under the disease progress curve per day (AUDPC/day) to assess spot blotch severity, and examined grain yield, 1000-kernel weight (TKW), days to heading, and plant height. Disease severity differed in the 6 years and several genotypes showed low disease severity in all years. A few genotypes had high grain yield and low disease severity in all years. Genotype Altar-84/Ae. Sq. (224)//Yaco, with the lowest disease severity and highest 1000-kernel weight (TKW) and grain yield was also the most stable for spot blotch resistance, TKW and grain yield. Results demonstrated that wheat genotypes with improved spot blotch resistance, high grain yield, acceptable TKW, and plant height are available as a result of the regional and international collaboration in South Asia. Despite this progress, the challenge lies ahead because of an apparent tendency of increasing spot blotch overall severity in the region and decreasing TKW over 6 years (2000–2005). Higher, average night time temperature during the month of March is an indicator showing that wheat crop performance is challenged in two ways—increasing spot blotch severity and decreasing TKW causing lower yield. The results underline the possible effect of changing climatic factors on disease pressure and the continuous need to identify new resistance sources to develop more spot blotch resistant wheat for the warmer Eastern Gangetic Plains of South Asia.     

超大穗型小麦源、流与库相关效应的试验研究

以超大穗型小麦为材料，以一般穗型小麦为对照，通过剪穗，剪小穗留茎，叶，保“源”，“流”控“库”和分期收获处理，研究源，流对库的关系与影响。认为源，流输出总量，取决于单个籽粒库的数目，与单个籽粒库数目成正比。源，流因素对单个籽粒库容量大小不起显著影响。源，流输出受籽粒单库数目的制约会出现形式上的滞后性，籽粒单库在自身营造方面会出现工作状态上的自然惰性现象。要克服滞后性和自然惰性现象的影响，提高对光能的利用率，实现高产，最有效的途径是在增加粒重的基础上，主要是增加籽粒数，小麦穗是籽粒的载体，也是光合产物的主要集中地，以多花，大粒组建多粒小穗，以增加小穗数架构超大穗，提高对光合产物的措施，是超大穗小麦育种所要实现的主要目标。超大穗型小麦与一般穗型小麦在源，流，库相关效应方面基本上没有差异。     

Spring wheat response to timing of water deficit through sink and grain filling capacity

Water and nitrogen (N) availability are the main factors influencing crop growth globally. Poorly distributed or insufficient water for crop growth requirements decreases yields in drought-prone areas such as those with a Mediterranean type environment. Cereal grain yield is a complex trait of interrelated components: plants per unit land area, spikes per plant, spikelets per spike, grains per spikelet, and single grain weight (SGW). The effect of water limitation and timing on development of yield components was studied in detail at the spike level in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Amaretto. An experiment with three watering treatments (control watering, CONT; drought prior to pollination, DR1 and terminal drought, DR2) was arranged in a large greenhouse (20 m × 30 m), with the use of standard field-trial machinery. Automated blackout curtains were used to control day length, which was set to correspond to that at 40°N. With watering treatments, two N application rates (60 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹) were used to investigate the N effect and potential watering × N interaction on yield formation and realisation. The water deficit effect exceeded the effect of N on fertile floret and grain number and SGW. DR1 strongly reduced the number of fertile florets and grains, whereas terminal drought reduced the number of grains per spike. Resuming the watering at pollination markedly enhanced photosynthesis, and hence grain filling capacity, resulting in the highest SGW in DR1. Enhancement in availability of key resources was associated with reduced rate of fertile floret and grain abortion, which resulted in higher grain to fertile floret ratio in DR1. Spikelets in the mid-section of the spike dominated yield formation in all treatments. In DR1 this was especially emphasised as 53% of the grain yield was produced in spikelets 4–6, whereas in DR2 and CONT this was 45 and 41%, respectively. Grains in proximal position in the spikelets produced about 80% of the spike grain yield, the proportion being slightly higher in stressed plants and plants receiving 60 kg N. No marked N × water deficit treatment interaction occurred for any of the measured parameters.