Grain-filling strategies of wheat of contrasting grain sizes under various planting patterns and irrigation levels

Abstract

In a study comparing grain filling and yield in a large- and a small-grain-size wheat cultivar under two planting patterns and two irrigation regimes, plastic-covered ridge and furrow planting with sprinkler irrigation increased grain filling and yield in both cultivars. The largest contributors to grain yield were an extended active grain-filling period in Shuangda 1 and an increased mean grain-filling rate in XN538.