Ecophysiological responses of dual-purpose wheat originating from different cutting management systems

Abstract

Wheat is one of the most cultivated cereals worldwide. Some wheat genotypes may be used for dual purposes that is, in the production of animal fodder and grains. The objective of this study was to compare the growth, partitioning of assimilates, and seed vigor expression of dual-purpose wheat cultivars originating from seeds produced by plants subjected to different cutting management systems. Dual-purpose wheat seeds in the vegetative period were used for this study; these were obtained from the cultivar BRS Umbu produced by plants subjected to different cutting management systems. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme, with four replications. The treatments comprised a combination of four seed production systems (one, two, and three cuts) and eight planting seasons (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 days after emergence [DAE]). Total dry-mass, dry-mass production rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, leaf area index, solar energy conversion efficiency, dry-mass partitioning, seedling emergence in the field, and emergence speed index were evaluated. Data regarding seedling emergence and emergence speed index were adjusted by orthogonal polynomials. Primary growth data were evaluated from the simple logistic equation. From 60 DAE, an inversion of the values of total dry-mass was observed, and the maximum values were observed in plants from seeds produced without cutting management. The highest dry-mass production rates were noted for plants produced by seeds of plants not subjected to cutting management. The highest relative growth rates were noted among plants originating from seeds produced by plants subjected to three- and two-cut treatments. The net assimilation rate was higher in plants originating from seeds produced from plants subjected to cutting management systems. The highest values of emergence were observed for seeds obtained from the three-cut treatment. Similarly, an increase in the values of emergence speed index was observed in seeds from plants subjected to one-cut treatment. Dual-purpose wheat cultivars originating from seeds produced in the absence of cutting management presented higher total dry-mass, dry-mass production rate, and relative growth rate. The net assimilation rate was higher in plants from seeds produced with cutting management systems. Plants produced from seeds subjected to the three-cut production management resulted in more vigorous seeds.