Ontogenetic analysis of yield components and yield stability of durum wheat in water-limited environments

Summary One main reason for the slow improvement of durum wheat in water-limited environments is the lack of clear understanding of the interrelationships among yield components and their compensatory changes under low and erratic moisture availability. Five cultivars, varying in many physiological attributes, were tested under different drought-stress conditions in field and greenhouse experiments. The cause-effect relationships of duration of vegetative period, duration of grain-filling period, number of spikes per m², kernels per spike, kernel weight and grain yield per m² were assessed. Furthermore, yield stability was evaluated. Yield reduction was largest under mid-season stress (58%), followed by terminal stress (30%) and early stress (22%). Cultivar Po was very sensitive to terminal stress.Path-coefficient analysis revealed a complex pattern of relationships among the six variables. An increase in vegetative period reduced the grain-filling period under all conditions. It increased number of kernels per spike under non-stress conditions. The direct effect of spikes per m² on grain yield was significantly positive. However, more spikes per m² resulted in fewer kernels per spike and a low kernel weight and, as a result, a negative relationship with grain yield under early stress. Grain-filling period had a strong influence on grain yield via kernel weight. Kernels per spike had the largest direct effect on grain yield. However, it was negatively correlated with kernel weight, especially under terminal stress. Grain yield heavily depended on kernels per spike under early stress and grain-filling period and kernels per spike under terminal stress.Variation in drought susceptibility index among cultivars was significant under early and terminal stress conditions, but not under mid-stress conditions. Yield potential and stability were not correlated for the different drought-stress conditions.Longer grain-filling period, increased number of kernels per spike and limited spike number per m² can be used as selection criteria for sustainable yield in water-limited environments.     

Growth and Yield Response of Facultative Wheat to Winter Sowing, Freezing Sowing and Spring Sowing at Different Seeding Rates

Growth and yield of wheat are affected by environmental conditions and can be regulated by sowing time and seeding rate. In this study, three sowing times [winter sowing (first week of September), freezing sowing (last week of October) and spring sowing (last week of April)] at seven seeding rates (325, 375, 425, 475, 525, 575 and 625 seeds m^?2) were investigated during the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons, in Erzurum (Turkey) dryland conditions, using Kirik facultative wheat. A split‐plot design was used, with sowing times as main plots and seeding rates randomized as subplots. There was a significant year × sowing time interaction for grain yield and kernels per spike. Winter‐sown wheat produced a significantly higher leaf area index, leaf area duration, spikes per square metre, kernel weight and grain yield than freezing‐ and spring‐sown wheat. The optimum time of sowing was winter for the facultative cv. Kirik. Grain yields at freezing and spring sowing were low, which was largely the result of hastened crop development and high temperatures during and after anthesis. Increasing seeding rate up to 525 seeds m^?2 increased the spikes per square metre at harvest, resulting in increased grain yield. Seeding rate, however, was not as important as sowing time in maximizing grain yield. Changes in spikes per square metre were the major contributors to the grain‐yield differences observed among sowing times and seeding rates. Yield increases from higher seeding rates were greater at freezing and spring sowing. We recommended that a seeding rate of 525 seeds m^?2 be chosen for winter sowing, and 575 seeds m^?2 for freezing and spring sowing.     

小麦小穗不同粒位粒重形成的生理特性差异

为探明小麦小穗上不同粒位籽粒粒重形成的生理机制,明确限制小穗上位弱势粒充实的主要原因,本试验选用大穗型小麦品种泰农18(TN18)和多穗型小麦品种山农20(SN20)为材料,调查检测了灌浆过程中小穗上不同粒位籽粒内源激素、可溶性糖、全氮含量的动态变化以及籽粒与籽粒柄连接处横面的组织结构与不同粒位籽粒粒重的关系。花后籽粒灌浆过程中灌浆速率与籽粒内GA和IAA含量呈极显著或显著相关,小穗基部籽粒中较高的GA和IAA含量可使蔗糖向淀粉转化开始早,籽粒分化快,灌浆速率高,是小穗基部籽粒粒重高的生理机制;扫描电镜图显示小麦籽粒灌浆初期小穗基部籽粒柄维管束横面面积明显大于上位籽粒,微观空隙小且排列较整齐,有利于同化物和生理活性物质的运输,是小穗基部籽粒粒重增长快、灌浆速率高的解剖学基础。     

Effect of Phaeosphaeria nodorum-induced seed shrivelling on subsequent wheat emergence and plant growth

Summary The bread wheat cultivars Pasqua and Katepwa, and durum wheat cultivars Kyle and D8257 were used to test the effects of sowing Phaeosphaeria nodorum-shrivelled seed. In a controlled environment, emergence, tillering, and dry weight of seedlings were compared at two sowing depths. Emergence, tillering and plant dry weights were also determined in field plots in 1992 and 1993, as were yield and thousand kernel weight (TKW) in plants inoculated with P. nodorum. Under controlled conditions the level of shrivelling did not affect emergence at depths of 25 mm and, except for Katepwa, 50 mm. Deeper seeding reduced emergence regardless of the level of shrivelling. Seeding depth did not affect dry weight of roots and shoots and the effect on tillering was inconsistent in the two years. Dry root weight was positively correlated with original seed size and decreased with level of shrivelling. In the field, seedling emergence of severely shrivelled seed was significantly lower in Katepwa and Pasqua. Tillers per plant appeared to increase with increased level of shrivelling, but was significant only for D8257 in one year. Dry tiller weight was inversely related to tillering and decreased consistently with level of shrivelling. Excepting Pasqua, in one year, yield and TKW did not differ between plots originating from plump or shrivelled seed. Inoculation with P. nodorum caused a significant reduction in TKW and yield in all cultivars but Kyle. Seed shrivelled due to P. nodorum was in general found to be as suitable as plump seed for growing a wheat crop.     

Yield Formation in Mediterranean durum wheats under two contrasting water regimes based on path-coefficient analysis

The components of grain yield are altered by adverse growing conditions as the effects of certain environmental factors on crop growth and yield differ depending upon the developmental stages when these conditions occur. Path-coefficient analysis was used to investigate the main processes influencing grain yield and its formation under Mediterranean conditions. Twenty-five durum wheat genotypes, consisting of four Spanish commercial varieties and 21 inbred lines from the ICARDA durum wheat breeding program, were grown during 1997 and 1998 under both rainfed and irrigated conditions in southern Spain. {P}ath-coefficient analysis revealed that under favourable conditions grain yield depended in equal proportion on the three primary yield components (i.e. spikes m⁻², grains spike⁻¹, and mean grain weight), whereas in the rainfed experiments, variations in grain yield were due mainly to spikes m⁻² and to a lesser extent to grains spike⁻¹. Compensatory effects were almost absent under irrigated treatments; however, under water shortage, spikes m⁻² exerted a negative influence on grain spike⁻¹ due mainly to a negative interrelationship between tiller production and apical development. These compensatory effects could partially explain the restricted success in durum wheat breeding observed in water-limited environments of the Mediterranean region. Under rainfed conditions the number of spikes m⁻² depended mainly on the ability for tiller production, whereas in the irrigated experiments the final number of spikes was determined mostly by tiller survival.     

Grain yield, and dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and remobilization in durum wheat as affected by variety and seeding rate

The influence of crop density on the remobilization of dry matter and nitrogen from vegetative plant parts to the developing grain, was investigated in the durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) varieties Creso, Simeto and Svevo cultivated in the field at three seeding rates, 200, 250 and 400 seeds m⁻². Variety × seeding rate interaction was unsignificant for all recorded characters. Grain yield declined in the order Svevo > Simeto > Creso. Yield differences mainly depended on the different number of kernels per unit land and, secondly, on mean kernel weight. Spike components differed among varieties: Svevo and Simeto showed more kernels per spikelet and Creso more spikelets per spike. Grain yield was highest with 400 seeds m⁻² primarily due to the higher number of spikes per unit area, and secondly, to the higher mean kernel weight. Post-heading dry matter accumulation was highest in Svevo and lowest in Creso, but varieties showed a reverse order for dry matter remobilization and contribution of dry matter remobilization to grain yield. The increase of seeding rate increased both the post-heading dry matter accumulation and the dry matter remobilization from vegetative plant parts to grain. Nitrogen uptake of the whole crop and N content of grain was higher in Simeto and Svevo than in Creso. The N concentration of grain did not vary among varieties, but Svevo showed a markedly lower N concentration and N content of culms at maturity, which may be consequence of the high N remobilization efficiency performed by this variety. The N uptake by the crop was highest with 400 seeds m⁻², but the N concentration of culms, leaves and even grain was slightly lower than with the lower seed rates. The post-heading N accumulation was by far higher in Simeto and Svevo than in Creso, whereas remobilization was highest in Svevo and lowest in Simeto. The percentage contribution of N remobilization to grain N was by far higher in Creso than in the other two varieties. Post-heading N accumulation and N remobilization were highest with the highest plant density, but the contribution of N remobilization to N grain content did not differ between seeding rates.     

Performance of Selected Strains of 'Farro' (Triticum monococcum L., Triticum dicoccum Schübler, Triticum Spelta L.) and Durum Wheat (Triticum Durum Desf. cv. Trinakria) in the Difficult Flat Environment of Southern Italy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of three species of unhulled-wheat (Triticum monococcum L., Triticum dicoccum Schubler and Triticum spelta L.) with respect to durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf. cv. Trinakria) in southern Italy's flat environment.
As far as yield is concerned, the mean yield was significantly different among species. Durum wheat yielded 16.1 %, 37.6% and 69.5 % more than dicoccum, spelta and monococcum species, respectively.
Among unhulled-wheat species, only Triticum dicoccum showed some similarity with durum wheat, such as one-thousand kernels weight, plant height and number of spikes per m².
Among the factors studied, the days to reach heading represented the factor that mostly influenced yield     

Quality of Ethiopian Durum Wheat Lines in Two Diverse Environments

In Ethiopia, durum wheat is largely used for production of local fermented and flat bread. Two diverse environments (Motta and Adet) were used to evaluate 15 durum wheat genotypes for grain yield and quality traits. The mean flour protein content of genotypes ranged from 10.1 % to 12.5 % and 6.7 % to 8.1 % at Motta and Adet respectively. The mean mixograph development time was 4 min at Motta and 2.8 min at Adet and SDS (Sodium dodecyl sulphate) sedimentation ranged between 10.7 and 32.3 ml across locations. Flour protein content was correlated negatively with mixograph development time and positively with vitreous kernels and single‐kernel hardness at both environments. Mixograph development time was selected to predict the gluten strength. Flour protein content, SDS sedimentation and seed weight were included in a stepwise regression. A prediction model was compiled that explained 69 % of the variation for mixograph development time.     

Improved seed yield in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) from two generations of phenotypic selection

Two generations of recurrent phenotypic selection for seed yield per plant under controlled pollination were carried out to combine improved seed yield with improved forage grass performance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Selected and unselected varieties (AberDartand AberElan respectively) and control varieties were grown for seed in pots in a glasshouse experiment and in two field plot experiments over 5 harvest years. Seed yield components and seed yield were measured. Significant improvements in seed yield of the selected AberDart over the unselected AberElan were observed both in individual plants grown in the glasshouse and in field plots. Detailed observations of the individual components of seed yield showed that the increased seed yield of AberDart can be attributed to a higher proportion of ovules forming seeds (% seedset), greater seed number per tiller and more reproductive tillers per plant. This improvement in seed yield of AberDart was also observed when it was grown in field plots with AberElan, experimental selection lines and commercial varieties. AberDart produced more seeds per tiller than the other commercial varieties and selection lines studied. The implication of this approach for the breeding of perennial ryegrass varieties that combine good agronomic performance and acceptable seed yields is discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic changes in durum wheat yield components and associated traits in Italian and Spanish varieties during the 20th century

Twelve field experiments comparing 24 durum wheat varieties from three periods—old (<1945), intermediate (1950–1985) and modern (1988–2000)—were carried out in order to ascertain the advances made in durum wheat yield components and related traits in Italian and Spanish germplasm. Grain yield improvements were based on linear increases in the number of grains per m² and harvest index, while grain weight and biomass remained unchanged. Yield per plant increased at a rate of 0.36 and 0.44% y⁻¹ and the number of grains per m² improved by 39% and 55% in Italian and Spanish varieties, respectively. The mean rate of increase in the number of grains per m² was 0.55% y⁻¹. Plants per m², spikes per plant and grains per spike contributed 20%, 29% and 51%, respectively, to the increase in the number of grains per m². The enhance of the number of grains per m² was due to the greater grain set in the modern varieties, since the number of spikelets per spike remained unchanged. Harvest index increased overall by 0.48% y⁻¹ (0.40 and 0.53% y⁻¹ in Italian and Spanish varieties, respectively). Plant height was the trait that suffered the most dramatic changes (it decreased at a rate of −0.81% y⁻¹, with little difference between the varieties of the two countries), as consequence of the presence of the Rht-B1 dwarfing gene. Harvest index and plant height, which were the traits that most contributed to discriminating between periods, remained unchanged from 1980 to 2000. The higher rates of improvement in Spain are discussed in the context of the contrasting strategies followed to improve durum wheat yield in the two countries.     

豫东平原冬小麦超高产栽培技术路线探讨

为了探讨豫东平原冬小麦超高产栽培技术路线,选用4个半冬性品种,划分为3个产量水平,进行产量结构变化情况分析、产量构成三要素与产量的回归及通径分析。结果表明：产量水平从9000~9750 kg/hm ²提高至9750~10500 kg/hm ²,种植密度、收获穗数、穗粒数、千粒重协调增加,有效穗数增幅稍大。穗数(x₁)、穗粒数(x₂)、千粒重(x₃)与产量(y)具有极显著的回归关系。通径分析表明对产量的贡献千粒重>穗数>穗粒数。因此,豫东平原冬小麦超高产栽培,应以提高千粒重为主攻方向,适当增加有效穗数,稳定穗粒数。从而提出豫东平原半冬性多穗型冬小麦超高产栽培“一提三增一稳五防”的技术路线。     

北方冬麦区高肥区域试验品种产量性状分析与探讨

对北方冬麦区1983～1988年高肥区域试验的80个参试品种的产量性状进行相关与通径分析。结果表明,北部冬麦区和黄淮麦区北片参试品种的增产因素主要是穗粒重,其次是亩穗数;黄淮南片参试品种的穗粒重与亩穗数对产量的贡献几乎相等,亩穗数稍大于穗粒重。鉴于直线相关是有一定范围的,结合各片的生态条件及育种实践,认为培育400公     

Seed production and breeding potential of the fluted pumpkin,Telfairia occidentalis

Summary Studies during 1980–1987 relating to seed production of the fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f.) are summarized. Essentially, the dioecious nature of the crop makes sex-ratios of plants affect the number of fruit-bearing females. Overall, about 50% of plants are female, of which some 15% are fruitless. Each fruit-bearing female has 1.5 fruits that contain 60 seeds. The mean weight of seeds is 15 g, and 74% of this total seed weight comprise the seed kernel which contains about 40% oil. Thus, a yield estimate of seed kernels reaches 1.9 t/ha; an output that is superior to that of most other oil seeds now being exploited for seed oil and cake in Nigeria. Measures to raise seed yields and the possibility of breeding work are discussed.     

济麦20号优质小麦春季氮肥后移增产保优效果试验

在小麦高产栽培条件下,进行了优质小麦济麦20号春季氮肥后移增产保优效果试验。结果表明,起身肥易造成田间郁闭,小穗小花退化多,穗粒数少,粒重低、品质差;拔节肥能明显减少不孕小穗小花,增加穗粒数,提高产量、改善品质、增强抗倒伏能力;单一孕穗肥单位面积穗数和产量明显降低,但穗粒数和粒重增加,品质改善。     

山西省近年审定小麦品种的综合性状分析

为给小麦育种和生产提供借鉴,对2013-2017年山西省审定的41个小麦品种进行产量、品质与抗病性分析。结果表明,各麦区审定小麦品种平均产量年度间虽有波动,但总体均呈逐步上升趋势。南部水地和中部水地审定小麦品种产量三因素中穗数变异系数均为最大,南部旱地和中部旱地审定品种则是穗粒数变异系数均为最大,因此,水地小麦育种应在提高穗数的基础上,协调提高穗粒数和千粒重;旱地小麦育种应在提高穗粒数的基础上,提高穗数和千粒重。从品质类型看,强筋和中强筋小麦比例很少,中筋小麦比例较多,区组间品质差别较大,达标品种（包括强筋、中强筋和中筋）比例由高到低的顺序依次为南部水地>南部旱地>中部水地>中部旱地。审定品种的蛋白质和湿面筋含量指标均相对较高,但有61.0%的品种面团稳定时间较短,低于中筋小麦标准,故应把提高面团稳定时间作为品质育种的主攻方向。山西省近年审定品种总体的抗病性较差,没有兼抗两种病害的品种,条锈病、叶锈病和白粉病抗病品种占审定品种比例分别为2.4%、0和12.2%。需要引进抗病资源,同步提高产量和品质水平,培育优质、高产、多抗的小麦新品种。     

Analysis of spaced-plant and micro-plot performance for yield-related traits in octoploid and hexaploid primary triticales

Summary Twenty-nine primary triticales (x Triticosecale Wittmack), derived from homozygous, uniform wheat and rye inbreds, were evaluated (i) to assess wheat, rye and interaction effects for yield-related characters, (ii) to estimate correlations between these characters, and (iii) to investigate the possibility of predicting micro-plot performance from early spaced-plant tests. The triticales (12 octoploid, 17 hexaploid) were tested under space-planting and in micro-plots in three-replicate, randomized block designs in 1983 and 1984, respectively. In general, hexaploid triticales performed significantly better than octoploids. Strong wheat and wheat x rye interaction effects were found, making it difficult to predict the performance of primary triticales from their constituent parental genotypes. At both ploidy levels under space-planting kernel weight per spike showed significant positive correlations with spikelets per spike, kernels per spikelet, and 1000-kernel weight. No significant associations were detected between spaced-plant and micro-plot performance for octoploids, indicating severe disorders at this ploidy level. In hexaploid triticales spikes per plant, kernel weight per spike, and kernels per spikelet observed in spaced-plants appeared to be useful indicators of grain yield in micro-plots.     

Does post‐anthesis heat stress affect plant phenology,physiology, grain yield and protein content of durum wheat in a semi‐arid Mediterranean environment?

Increasing air temperature due to changing climate is projected to decrease the length of the growing season, hasten vegetative development and maturation, and ultimately affect yield of many C3 crops. Previous multilocation trials highlighted strong relationships between thermal trends in the interval “beginning of flowering‐end of grain filling” and grain yield, and protein content in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.). With the aim to confirm these relationships, nine durum wheat genotypes, including old (Capeiti 8, Senatore Cappelli and Trinakria) and modern (Amedeo, Arcangelo, Mongibello, Simeto, and Svevo) varieties and a Sicilian landrace (Russello) were grown at three different sites representing a climate gradient in Sicily, Italy. Moreover, the effect of post‐anthesis heat stress on these durum wheats was further investigated in two contrasting environments: open‐field (control—C) and greenhouse heat stress (HS). HS shortened the interval “beginning‐end of flowering” of 1.5 days across genotypes, and the “end of flowering‐beginning of grain filling” and maturation of 4.9 days, with a range of 1 day in Arcangelo to 11 days in Cappelli. Advances in main phenophases significantly decreased kernel weight (KW) and grain yield (GY), whereas grain protein content (PC) increased. As expected, a negative relationship was observed between GY and PC, while positive relationships were found for GY and grain‐filling duration (GFD), and GY and KW. Genotypes responded differently to heat stress, as evidenced by the net photosynthesis, transpiration rate, instantaneous water use efficiency and dry matter accumulation in kernels. Genotypes were ranked according to the heat susceptibility index (HSI): Amedeo, Arcangelo, Capeiti 8, Svevo and Trinakria resulted heat‐tolerant. These varieties were characterized by an early trigger of dry matter accumulation in kernels under HS (Amedeo, Arcangelo and Trinakria), or showed similar length of the GFD (Capeiti 8) between environments. The multilocation trial confirmed a negative relationship between maximum temperatures and grain yield, and a positive relationship between minimum temperatures and protein content during grain–filling periods. Research focusing on agronomic strategies, phenology and breeding for tolerance to heat stress is of strategic importance to cope with the detrimental effect of global warming in semi‐arid climates.     

Environmental correlations among grain yield and other important traits of wheat in drylands

Summary Environmental correlation coefficients were computed among all pairs of five traits, namely grain yield, heading date, number of tillers per m², plant height and 1000-grain weight (grain size) using 30 Triticum durum and 30 Triticum aestivum varieties grown in 18 environments. Grain yield was significantly correlated with the other four traits in almost all of the varieties. The mean correlation coefficient over all varieties ranged from 0.58 to –0.83 for durum wheat and 0.66 to 0.88 for aestivum wheat. The correlation coefficients between heading date and the other traits were also significant, ranging from –0.45 to –0.79 in durum wheat and –0.61 to –0.85 in aestivum wheat. The correlation coefficient between number of tillers with plant height and 1000-grain weight were the smallest, 0.19–0.32 in durum wheat and 0.39–0.60 in aestivum wheat. It was concluded that agronomic practices favouring early and good stand establishment in the dry regions will favour the yield components and important adaptive traits, which contribute towards larger yields. Significant differences were found among genotypes in the environmental correlation coefficients and the associated changes in one trait as a result of changes in other traits.     

Near-isogenic lines of durum wheat: their development and plant characteristics

Summary The effect of specific plant characteristics on the grain and biomass yield of durum wheat can be accurately determined by using isogenic lines, which, however, were not usually available. This study reported the effects of long glume, glaucousness, glume pubescence, black glume and purple culm on the yield and its associated characteristics in near-isogenic lines of durum wheat cv. LD222, which were developed by continuous backcrossing. The long glume trait which resulted in a large photosynthetic area did not enhance yield. Increased glume size associated with the P gene tended to increase the main culm dominance, characterized such as vigorous main culm and weak tillers, and plant height, but to reduce tillering and spike number. Consequently, grain yield and harvest index declined. Under the adequate water supplying condition of the present study, the glaucous trait was beneficial for grain yield. The trait of glume pubescence did not excert any significant effect on the yield related characteristics in the LD222 background. The traits of black glume and purple culm reduced the number of spikes per unit area and the number of kernels per unit area.     

Manipulation of the availability of assimilates for kernel growth in wheat in Japan: Effects of crop thinning and planting geometry

Wheat often overproduces kernels when grown in favorable environments, resulting in low kernel weight with high kernel screenings. This indicates that photoassimilation after heading would not be sufficient to support the growth of a large number of kernels. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of crop thinning at heading (experiment 1) and double-row planting (compared with equidistant row spacing; experiment 2) on kernel weight and yield of Japanese wheat cultivars under different levels of soil fertility. In experiment 1, elimination of aboveground competition for radiation by thinning increased yield by up to 32%, mainly due to increased kernel weight. In experiment 2, double-row planting increased kernel weight significantly (by 4–10%) without yield loss by moderately suppressing maximum stem number (by 7–14%) and spike and kernel number (by up to 14%) under high fertility. In both experiments, the effect of crop thinning or row configuration on wheat yield and kernel weight was negligible under low fertility because of little competition for radiation. The results suggested that control of vegetative growth and kernel production would help avoid the shortage of assimilates for kernel growth in fertile environments. For further increasing wheat yield under favorable conditions in Japan, the appropriate crop management options (e.g., planting geometry) should be combined with the suitable varieties having a more communal ideotype (sparse tillering with upright posture) than a competitive phenotype (profuse tillering with lax posture) to enhance photoassimilation after heading.