Key periods and effects of meteorological factors affecting incidence of wheat black point in the Yellow and Huai wheat area of China

Abstract

To determine the key periods and effects of meteorological factors affecting the incidence of black point, the correlations between 14 meteorological variables and incidence of black point were analyzed using 23 susceptible wheat genotypes planted at three locations in two years in the Yellow and Huai Wheat Area of China. The results showed that the incidence of black point and meteorological factors varied considerably across locations and years. There was a significantly negative correlation between temperature-related variables (daily average temperature, days with temperature > 30 °C, etc.) and black point incidence at 26–40 days after heading. Humidity-related variables (daily relative humidity, rainfall days, etc.) except precipitation were positively correlated with black point incidence at 1–20 days after heading. When the daily average temperature decreased by 1 °C at 31–35 days after heading, the incidence of black point increased by approximately 5.5%, and when the daily relative humidity increased by 10% at 11–15 days after heading, the incidence increased by approximately 9.4%. There was a significant negative correlation between daily sunshine duration and black point incidence at 1–15 days and 26–40 days after heading. In conclusion, the key periods and meteorological factors affecting black point incidence are a humid environment at 1–15 days, lower temperature at 26–40 days, and a short period of sunshine after heading. These results provide important information for the control of black point in wheat.