An analysis of the relationship between potential evaporation and dry-matter accumulation for winter wheat

Abstract

SUMMARYSequential dry-matter measurements for winter wheat crops grown at different sites during different seasons were plotted against accumulated potential evaporation. A relation consisting of two intersecting straight lines represented the observations. Early crop growth had a gentle slope due to an incomplete leaf canopy. Later growth occurred at a rate which depended upon the amount of applied nitrogen, the amount of radiation and the availability of water. The intersection occurred consistently at a leaf area index of 1·25.