Yield reduction in wheat by simulated rat damage

Abstract

Abstract A study of simulated rat damage was done to determine the loss of wheat yield when O (control). 10, 30 and 50% ot the wheat stems were cut at tillering, booting, dough and mature crop stages. The yields at harvest from each of 128 1‐m2 plots were compared by analysis of variance and least significant difference tests. Yield at the tillering stages was not significantly different from the controls but yields at all other stages differed significantly. Yield losses in tillering and booting stages were not significant for the different damage levels except for 50% stem cutting at the booting stage. The yields from dough and mature crop stages at all damage levels were significantly lower than yields from controls. No significant differences in yield at all growth stages were observed between control plots and those receiving 10% damage, but 30 and 50% damage gave significant losses.