decreases as KN increases according to an hyperbolic relationship. Applying this to winter wheat, Leterme et Genotype ϫ environment interaction is fully analyzed when genoal. (1994) fully described how to interpret this relationtypes and environments are well characterized. Probe genotypes were studied in a simplified crop diagnosis to show how variates of yield ship between TKW and KN. components can strengthen characterization of environments by usual Because these two yield components are developed indicators of yield-limiting factors. The objective of this study was to over two distinct crop development periods, (from sowdetermine the main limiting factors of yield and to analyze their effects ing to flowering for KN and after flowering for TKW), in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) trials. Fixed genotypes (Talent, Soisthis allows identification of when the limiting factors sons, Camp-Ré my, and Arminda) were studied as probe genotypes occur. Their intensity is determined by comparison to at five experimental stations of the Institut National de la Recherche reference values considered as threshold or potential Agronomique (I.N.R.A.) (Rennes, Mons, La Miniè re, Dijon, and values. Additionally, to discover which factors or condi-Ondes) during 1991 and 1992. Two important variates, the reduction tions are responsible for yield reductions, it is necessary of kernel number and the reduction of thousand kernel weight, were to characterize the nutritional status of the crop and analyzed to characterize the environments during the formation of yield. The former described the time-period until flowering and the the environmental and biological constraints and relate latter the grain-filling period. In addition, factors that limit yield were these indicators to yield component reductions. These determined through indicators such as water deficits, the ratio between factors are numerous in winter wheat trials. Climatic nitrogen absorbed and kernel number, radiation, temperature, develconstraints include water deficits (Singh, 1981; Kobata opment of diseases (powdery mildew, strike rust, leaf rust, leaf and et al. , 1992; Debaeke et al., 1996), temperature (Wieglume blotch), and lodging. Our study resulted in providing critical gang and Cuellar, 1981; Hunt et al., 1991; Stone and values for grain yield, kernel number, and thousand kernel weight Nicolas, 1995a, b), and radiation (Demotes-Mainard et for the four probe genotypes. Then reductions of yield components al., 1996). In French cropping systems, biological concould be determined and analyzed. They provide useful information straints are associated with diseases. More than 20 disfor characterizing environments subjected to numerous yield-limiting eases of major significance have been reported on wheat factors. Our study also revealed that the biological variates (essentially susceptibility to powdery mildew and to lodging) affected yield more