Seasonal conditions influence dormancy and preharvest sprouting tolerance of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) in the field

• Published in: Field crops research 2008-05, Vol.107 (2), p.116-128
• Main Authors: Biddulph, T.B., Plummer, J.A., Setter, T.L., Mares, D.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Black point; crop quality; Dormancy; dormancy breaking; embryo (plant); Falling number; Fungal staining; genotype; genotype-environment interaction; Germination index; harvest date; plant breeding; Preharvest sprouting; preharvest sprouting tolerance; rain; seasonal variation; seed dormancy; seed germination; sprouting; testa; Triticum aestivum; wheat
• ISSN: 0378-4290; 1872-6852
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2008.01.003

Preharvest sprouting occurs following rainfall after maturity and reduces grain quality and value. Dormancy at maturity is a trait frequently used by wheat breeders to improve tolerance to sprouting. To determine the environmental influence on the predicative relationship between dormancy at maturity and improved preharvest sprouting tolerance, dormancy (germination index) at maturity and grain quality (falling number) at maturity and then, after rainfall, was measured over three seasons. Based on the results it was possible to draw three main conclusions. Firstly, genotypes with strong dormancy (germination index 300 s at all sites and seasons for the 2-month period after maturity despite receiving up to 122 mm of rain. Adequate preharvest sprouting tolerance also occurred in dormant genotypes, with just the embryo component; in all but the most severe conditions. Secondly, though the effect of environment and interaction of genotype and environment was significant, the G by E interaction did not account for a large proportion of the variation (