Biomass as a factor contributing to winter wheat yield increase

Abstract

Aim. The search of factors influencing grain productivity, based on the comparison of the mass of dry matter in the aboveground parts of modern winter wheat varieties at the early stages of ontogenesis. Methods. Morphometric determination of biomass of the above-ground plant parts. Results. The varieties and lines of winter wheat with higher yields exceeded the less productive ones by the number of shoots per 1 m2 of soil on 8–12 % and by the dry matter weight of the above-ground plant parts on 23–34 % at the early stages of spring vegetation. According to two-year experiments, it was established a linear positive correlation (r = 0.85–0.86) of the dry matter weight of the above-ground plant parts per 1 m2 of soil during the period of stem elongation (BBCH 31-49) with the yield. Conclusions. The close relationship between yield and dry matter weight of the above-ground plant parts at the early stages of spring vegetation makes it possible to rank winter wheat varieties by potential yield. Keywords: Triticum aestivum L., grain productivity, biomass, early stages of ontogenesis.