Inflorescence development of semidwarf and standard height wheat cultivars in different photoperiod and nitrogen treatments

Abstract

A comparative study was made of the growth and development of the shoot apex/inflorescence in two contrasting spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars: Marquis—a standard height, day-length-sensitive type; and Pitic 62—a semidwarf, Norin 10 derivative with relatively low day-length sensitivity. The effects of 8-, 12-, 16-, 20-, and 24-h photoperiods and of two nitrogen levels in 12 and 20 h on both cultivars were determined, as well as those of two phosphorus levels on Marquis in 20 h.Apical primordium production continued for a longer duration in Pitic than in Marquis, and the initiation of spikelet primordia was delayed. Spikelet development was more synchronous in Pitic than in Marquis in all treatments. Apical spikelet formation always coincided in both cultivars with the initiation of rachis internode extension. Inflorescence development after termination of spikelet primordia formation was as fast in Pitic as in Marquis (or faster in short photoperiods).In general, increasing N increased the rate and duration of primordium production (apical spikelet formation occurring later at high N), and delayed inflorescence development and extension. These effects were more pronounced in Pitic, resulting in much greater N responses for spikelet and grain numbers per spike, and for grain yields per spike. Effects of high P were similar to those of high N. Increasing photoperiod increased the rate, but decreased the duration of primordium production, and accelerated the development and the extension growth of the inflorescence.The results are discussed in relation to a postulated involvement of endogenous gibberellins and inhibitors in the regulation of inflorescence growth and development.