KERNEL DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGES IN FALLING NUMBER IN TRITICALE COMPARED WITH WHEAT

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in 1981, 1982 and 1983 at Swift Current, Saskatchewan to compare kernel development and changes in falling number with maturation and weathering of recently-developed triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) lines and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Kernel development and falling number changes with maturation were studied in sequential samples taken from 2 wk after anthesis to maturity. Test weight and falling number were measured in nonweathered and weathered grain samples. The triticales tended to reach physiological maturity at higher kernel water concentrations than wheat. There were no differences in water concentration at physiological maturity between recently developed plump-seeded lines and existing shrivel-seeded cultivars. Falling numbers of wheat increased with advancing maturity, while those of the triticales declined, did not change, or increased. Falling number of the triticale cultivar Welsh decreased with advancing maturity, while most of the advanced lines showed relatively constant or moderately increasing falling numbers. At harvest maturity, falling numbers of most of the advanced lines were greater than those of Welsh. Falling numbers of wheat declined following weathering damage, as did those of some advanced triticale lines. Test weights of triticale and wheat were reduced about 7% by weathering.Key words: Triticale, wheat, alpha-amylase, falling number, physiological maturity, weathering