Crop characteristics and the potential yield of wheat

Abstract

SUMMARYThe potential yield of the best varieties of winter wheat currently grown in eastern England is estimated to be in the range 12–14 t/ha (15% moisture, 10% protein, freshweight basis).Increases in the leaf area index at anthesis, in the duration of the grain-filling period and in the light-saturated rate of photosynthesis of the leaves, slower decline in their photosynthetic capacity, and decreases in the respiratory losses of assimilated carbon would increase this potential yield. Such changes might be brought about by breeding or by improved agronomic practices.The grain growth rates predicted by several published simulation models are shown to be in reasonable agreement with each other.