Frost affects grain yield components in winter wheat

Abstract

The influence of frost stress during the jointing stage in winter wheat was examined for original tillers (OT), regenerated tillers (RT) and the yield components of the cultivars Yumai 18, Zhoumai 18 and Yanzhan 4110. Ear number per plant, kernel number per ear, 1000-kernel weight and yield per plant were recorded under a range of subfreezing temperatures (−1, −3, −5, −7 and −9°C). The results were modelled by linear and quadratic regression. In the quadratic model, ear number per plant and yield per plant of the three cultivars were all significant (P < 0.001) and their fitted curves showed a concavedownward parabolic trend as the subfreezing temperature decreased. By analysing the change characteristics of ear number and yield per plant of OT and RT following frost treatment, it was found that OT decreased and RT increased resulting in the concave-downward parabolic yield trend. Final ear number and yield were the result of these opposing behaviours with OT and RT partly offsetting one another and thus tending to stabilize yield loss. The resulting compensatory behaviour of the three cultivars showed obvious differences with the RT of Yumai 18 making the greatest contribution to grain yield. The work offers the potential for creating a rational basis for selecting cultivars having improved frost resistance based on recording their tillering behaviour under low-temperature conditions.

Effect of temperature on survival and yield components of field‐acclimated soft red winter wheat

“…Typically, the majority of wheat seed yield is produced by original spikes (Everts & Leath, ). Freeze damage to the original spike can significantly reduce the number and weight of seeds, reducing seed yield (Fuller et al., ; Ji et al., ; Marcellos & Single, ; Wu et al., ).…”

“…At Feekes 6 growth stage (first node visible), the first node appears and pushes the growing point (developing spike) up the stem (Large, ; Shroyer, Mikesell, & Paulsen, ). Original tillers (main stem plus early formed tillers) are formed before Feekes 6 growth stage and produce original spikes that produce the majority of seed (Everts & Leath, ; Ji et al., ; Wu et al., ). Freeze injury to the original tillers or spike can significantly reduce seed yield as lower yielding, regenerative (new) tillers are formed after the freeze event (Ji et al., ; Shroyer et al., ; Wu et al., ).…”

“…Original tillers (main stem plus early formed tillers) are formed before Feekes 6 growth stage and produce original spikes that produce the majority of seed (Everts & Leath, ; Ji et al., ; Wu et al., ). Freeze injury to the original tillers or spike can significantly reduce seed yield as lower yielding, regenerative (new) tillers are formed after the freeze event (Ji et al., ; Shroyer et al., ; Wu et al., ). At Feekes 8 growth stage (flag leaf visible, but still rolled up) (Large, ), the growing point is 12 to 30 cm above the soil surface, but still protected within the crop canopy (Shroyer et al., ).…”

Influence of Climate Conditions on the Temporal Development of Wheat Yields in a Long-Term Experiment in an Area with Pleistocene Loess

“…If this cold stimulation does not occur, the plants remain in the vegetative phase [45]. In the same phase, however, most frost damage occurs at low temperatures as the plants are very sensitive in this phase and the vegetation cone is no longer protected by the leaf sheath close to the soil surface [11]. In 1983 and 1986, which experienced constant frost in February, the wheat was affected by the frost.…”

Freeze symptoms and associated yield loss in soft red winter wheat

“…Reductions in grain yield have been found to occur at <21°F when wheat plants were exposed for 15 min duration (Alt et al, 2020). Grain yield reductions can be attributed to death of leaf tissues and stems, resulting in the formation of tertiary (regenerative) tillers from surviving plant crowns (Wu et al, 2014) (Figure 3). These tertiary tillers may produce seed, but often time do not fully mature, resulting in small, lightweight kernels (Rawson, 1971).…”