Effects of vernalization, photoperiod, and temperature on phenological development and spikelet number of Australian wheat

Abstract

Sixteen Australian wheat cultivars grown in controlled environment cabinets demonstrated a range of responses to seed vernalization varying from little or no promotion of floral initiation in Darkan, Kondut, Falcon, and Sunset to about 3 weeks in Festiguay, Claymore, and Mexico 120. Under short days (10 hr photoperiod v. 14 hr) or cold temperatures (12/7�C day/night v. 18/13�) the response to seed vernalization was reduced. None of the cultivars responsive to vernalization achieved floral initiation earlier under cold temperatures than under warm temperatures, even in the absence of seed vernalization. All cultivars achieved floral initiation earlier in long days but the magnitude of the response varied considerably among them. Long days similarly accelerated development from initiation to anthesis. Higher temperatures accelerated development to initiation and anthesis in all cultivars, with only minor differences in magnitude of response. Selected treatments in the cabinets gave rates of development to initiation which closely paralleled results for the same cultivars in field experiments. The number of spikelets per head varied considerably with cultivar, day length, and vernalization treatment. Within the range of conditions of the experiments, temperature did not affect spikelet number other than through vernalization. At either temperature, the spikelet number was closely and positively related to the number of days to floral initiation.