Abstract
Solid-stemmed wheat genotypes are better protected from damage caused by wheat stem sawfly (Cephus pygmaeus L.) larvae and at lower risk of lodging, as they are additionally strengthened. The aim of the study was to analyse the stem-solidness of fifty spring wheat cultivars with pith. A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station Dłoń, Poland in the years 2012–2014. The method recommended by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and the methodology described by DePauw and Read were used to analyse the stem-solidness. The statistical analysis of the results showed that the stems of the wheat cultivars differed in their, therefore, they were divided into seven classes. There were nine Polish cultivars, two genotypes from Canada (BW 597 and AC Elsa) and one Portuguese genotype (I 836) with hollow stems. There were only nine solid-stemmed cultivars. Both methodologies were used to assess the filling of the stem in the whole plant upon analysis of its filling at the cross-section of the first internode. Both methods gave the same results. The DePauw and Read methodology showed that the internodes in the lower part of the plants were filled to the greatest extent. The same genotypes collected in the consecutive years of the study differed in the filling of their stems with pith. These differences were influenced by the environmental conditions.
Highlights
Most wheat cultivars grown in Europe have a hollow stem, and only a few varieties are solid stemmed
Stems filled with pith are better protected from the damage caused by wheat stem sawfly (Cephus pygmaeus L.) larvae and at a lower risk of lodging, as they are strengthened
The study was conducted on fifty spring wheat cultivars and lines, which differed in stem-solidness
Summary
Most wheat cultivars grown in Europe have a hollow stem, and only a few varieties are solid stemmed. The inside of the stem is filled with the main parenchyma, which forms the pith [1]. This structure resembles a honeycomb and consists of thin-walled cells of equal size that are loosely adjacent to each other [2]. Between late May and early June, i.e., at the wheat flowering time, adult wheat stem sawflies emerge [3]. During this period, females lay eggs inside the uppermost internode of wheat [4–6]. The larvae that hatch from these eggs eat the tissues inside the stem, deteriorating the seed quality. They cut the stems and cause wheat lodging [7,8]. The survival rate of juvenile wheat stem sawflies is higher in monocultures and no-till farming
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
