Different Drought Tolerance Strategy of Wheat Varieties in Spike Architecture

Abstract

Spike characteristics include spike length, total spikelet number per spike, number of fertile flowers, spike density, spike fertility, grain number, thousand kernel weight, the number of spikes per square meter, harvest index and the grain yield during the flowering and ripening stage. The six winter and one facultative variety differed in earliness, derived in part from the allele of the Ppd-D1 gene and phenological observation. The two sites significantly differed in the soil moisture, which varied during continual microclimate monitoring. The spike architecture of winter wheat was affected by drought. The plant samples from the site FIELD 2 (more drought stressed) showed a higher reduction in spike characteristics such as a lower spike length, total spikelet number, number of fertile flowers and spike fertility, leading to a lower yield than the site FIELD 1. Both early and late varieties possess compensatory abilities to create the grain yield during drought stress; however, the timing and duration of exposure to drought determine the application and success of the compensatory ability. In our experiment, the late varieties (photoperiod sensitive) performed better in yield than the early varieties during both growing seasons. That is at odds with the generally recommended “drought escape strategy” (early varieties) and suggests a possible direction for variety selection and breeding in arid areas in Central Europe.

Exogenous application of salicylic acid ameliorates salinity stress in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

“…In our present study salinity reduced spike length number of tillers, number of spikes, number of spikelets, harvest index, seed weight and biological yield because salinity destroying the membrane mechanisms of barley ( Hordeum vulgare [ 50 ]. Similar effects are shown in rice plants ( Oryza sativa L.) growing in salty soil; a significant reduction in spike length, spike number, spikelets, and tiller number is also reported [ 51 ].…”

Contributions of glume and awn to photosynthesis, 14C assimilates and grain weight in wheat ears under drought stress

“…In this study, glume and awn detachment led to decreases in grain weight per pot of approximately 11.2 % and 25.4 %, respectively, under normal conditions. All yield components are negatively affected by drought [ 39 ]. When wheat was exposed to adverse drought stress, the grain weight per pot decreased by 16 % and 32.2 %.…”

Sub‐soil plastic film mulch promotes the growth and yield improvement of winter wheat in coastal saline–alkali soil

“…Some studies have shown that winter wheat is more sensitive to drought in the ear emergence stage (Zarei et al, 2020). Compared to the first year, the number of spikes in the later growth stage of the second year decreased, which was not conducive to the yield formation of winter wheat in the later stage (Frantova et al, 2022). According to research conducted by , a lack of moisture during the spring season can lead to a decrease in the GN of winter wheat.…”