The basis of variation in date of ear emergence under field conditions among the progeny of a cross between two winter wheat varieties

Abstract

SummaryFrom the progeny of a cross between the winter wheat varieties Norman and Talent early and lateF5lines were selected in the field. These selections and the two parental varieties were grown in controlled environment cabinets to assess their sensitivity to photoperiod and vernalization.TheF5selections and Norman and Talent were also grown in field trials, at the Plant Breeding Institute in Trumpington, and at The Murrays Experimental Farm of the Scottish Crop Research Institute, near Edinburgh.Norman was more sensitive to photoperiod and vernalization than Talent. The earlyF5lines were relatively insensitive to photoperiod and/or vernalization. The late lines were sensitive to both photoperiod and vernalization. Differences in date of ear emergence among the selections were found which were independent of photoperiod and vernalization sensitivity. This variation in ear emergence, described as earlinessper se, was similar under controlled environment conditions and in the field, and was also shown to be similar in magnitude to that due to differences in sensitivity to photoperiod and vernalization. Both sources of variation can be exploited to modify time of ear emergence under field conditions in Great Britain.