Abstract
Background and aimsShort periods of extreme temperature may affect wheat (Triticum aestivum) seed weight, but also quality. Temporal sensitivity to extreme temperature during seed development and maturation was investigated.MethodsPlants of ‘Tybalt’ grown at ambient temperature were moved to growth cabinets at 29/20°C or 34/20°C (2010), or 15/10°C or 34/20°C (2011), for successive 7-d periods from 7 DAA (days after anthesis) onwards, and also 7–65 DAA in 2011. Seed samples were harvested serially and moisture content, weight, ability to germinate, subsequent longevity in air-dry storage and bread-making quality were determined.Key ResultsHigh temperature (34/20°C) reduced final seed weight, with greatest temporal sensitivity at 7–14 or 14–21 DAA. Several aspects of bread-making quality were also most sensitive to high temperature then, but whereas protein quality decreased protein and sulphur concentrations improved. Early exposure to high temperature provided earlier development of ability to germinate and tolerate desiccation, but had little effect on maximum germination capacity. All treatments at 15/10°C resulted in ability to germinate declining between 58 and 65 DAA. Early exposure to high temperature hastened improvement in seed storage longevity, but the subsequent decline in late maturation preceded that in the control. Long (7–65 DAA) exposure to 15/10°C disrupted the development of seed longevity, with no improvement after seed filling ended. Longevity improved during maturation drying in other treatments. Early (7–14 DAA) exposure to high temperature reduced and low temperature increased subsequent longevity at harvest maturity, whereas late (35 or 42–49 DAA) exposure to high temperature increased and low temperature reduced it.ConclusionsTemporal sensitivity to extreme temperature was detected. It varied considerably amongst the contrasting seed variables investigated. Subsequent seed longevity at harvest maturity responded negatively to temperature early in development, but positively later in development and throughout maturation.
Highlights
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a common crop of temperate regions but is grown in the tropics and subtropics (Klatt, 1988) with grain production across wide ranges of altitude and latitude (60N to 60S) (Curtis, 2015)
The impacts of short periods of extreme temperature on wheat seed development and quality are relevant to the global adaptation of the crop today – and even more to adaptation to future climates
Temperature ranged between extremes of 7Á7 and 33Á7 C, with mean daily minima and maxima of 13Á4 and 28Á7 C in 2010
Summary
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a common crop of temperate regions but is grown in the tropics and subtropics (Klatt, 1988) with grain production across wide ranges of altitude (sea level to 3500 m) and latitude (60N to 60S) (Curtis, 2015). Yield is affected by mean change in temperature and by brief periods of high temperature at vulnerable stages of development (Wheeler et al, 2000; Rezaei et al, 2015; Prasad et al, 2017). The impacts of short periods of extreme temperature on wheat seed development and quality are relevant to the global adaptation of the crop today – and even more to adaptation to future climates. Whilst the effect of temperature variability at early stages of reproductive development on yield is becoming better understood, quality might show temporal sensitivity to extreme temperature. Short periods of extreme temperature may affect wheat (Triticum aestivum) seed weight, and quality. Temporal sensitivity to extreme temperature during seed development and maturation was investigated
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