Temperature and precipitation effects on durum wheat grown in southern Saskatchewan for fifty years

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. N. McCaig

Approximately 60% of Canadian durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) is produced in the semi-arid, Brown soil zone of southern Saskatchewan. The Durum Wheat Cooperative Test (DWCT) provides the means of evaluating potential new cultivars, and has been grown at Swift Current, located near the centre of the Brown soil zone in Saskatchewan, for more than 50 yr. Historical yield-related data from the DWCT were analyzed in conjunction with daily precipitation and maximum daily temperature (MaxDT) data with the objective of improving our understanding of the effects of these weather variables on durum wheat grown in this semi-arid region.The highest correlation between the weather variables and grain yield was during the period near the end of June through early July, approximately the time of anthesis. The correlation with kernel number m−2 (KNum) was maximum near the end of June, while the correlation with kernel weight was highest around the third week of July. The maximum effect of these weather factors in limiting yield in the Brown soil zone was through an impact on KNum around anthesis. Hectolitre weight and time-to-maturi-ty appeared to be influenced mainly by the weather in July, while crop height was determined by the weather near the end of June. An analysis which examined cumulative heat-units above threshold MaxDT of 20, 24, 28 and 32 °C indicated that temperatures >24 °C may be detrimental during early June although high temperatures are less common in June than in July. Yield was also negatively impacted by temperatures >20 °C during the first 3 wk of July.Future yield gains in this semi-arid region may be dependent upon the development of cultivars which are more tolerant of drought and high-temperature stress at anthesis. Key words: Triticum turgidum, kernel number, kernel weight, height, maturity, hectolitre weight

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. N. McCaig ◽  
J. M. Clarke

Canadian durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) production is centred in the Brown and Dark Brown soil zones, areas of limited rainfall. For more than 50 yr, lines have been evaluated in the multi-location Durum Cooperative Test. Data from this test, over the period 1947–1992, were analyzed with the objectives of determining the advances that have been made within the Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) wheat class and comparing yield-related variables of recently registered cultivars with those of earlier cultivars. Canadian-developed cultivars have increased yields about 0.81% yr−1 relative to Hercules, or approximately 22.6 kg ha−1 yr−1. As kernel weight has remained unchanged, the genetic yield increases have resulted entirely from an increase in the number of kernels produced. Because kernel number is determined prior to, and during, anthesis, further yield increases may depend upon selection of genotypes that produce higher numbers of kernels, thereby increasing sink demand. While plant height and hectolitre weight have been decreasing over time, neither variable was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with the yield increases that have taken place over the 29-yr period. The selection pressure toward shorter cultivars may have involved other agronomic advantages, such as decreased lodging. Days to maturity did not change significantly over time and was not correlated with yield. Key words:Triticum turgidum, kernel number, kernel weight, height, hectolitre weight


2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Wang ◽  
J. M. Clarke ◽  
T. N. McCaig ◽  
R. M. DePauw

Two relatively new Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) cultivars used different strategies to increase yield and maintain high grain protein relative to older cultivars. AC Navigator (semi-dwarf) increased kernel weight and spikes per plant. AC Avonlea (conventional height) reduced height and increased spike size. AC Avonlea remobilized more nitrogen (N) to the grain than AC Navigator, which could be attributed to its large spike sink.Key words: Triticum turgidum, yield, protein, spike size, nitrogen uptake and remobilization


2002 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 1285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosella Motzo ◽  
Francesco Giunta

The importance of awns in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) has to be evaluated whenever an increase in grain yield is expected due to a greater photosynthetic capacity of the awned ear. Awned and awnless isolines of durum wheat were compared in a 3-year field trial in Sardinia (Italy). Ear and flag-leaf size, radiation interception, canopy temperature, yield, and yield components were measured.Awns increased the ear surface area from 36 to 59%, depending on their length, which ranged from 5.5 to 13.8 cm. This resulted in an average 4% more radiation intercepted by the awned ears. Canopy temperature was 0.9�C lower, on average, in the awned isolines, and was negatively correlated with kernel weight (r = –0.85**, n = 10), although consistent and marked effects of awns on canopy temperature were only observed in the long-awned lines. Awns positively affected grain yield, with an average increase of 10 and 16%, respectively, in the 2 years in which they affected kernel weight. The irrelevant effect of awns on yield in the year characterised by a severe drought was a consequence of their early desiccation.The effects of awns on grain yield and kernel weight strongly depend on the genetic background, on awn length and functionality, and on the environmental conditions during grain filling.


2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. R. Clarke ◽  
J. M. Clarke ◽  
T. N. McCaig ◽  
R. E. Knox ◽  
R. M. DePauw

Yellow pigment concentration of the endosperm due to the presence of xanthophyll and other related compounds is an important processing quality characteristic in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). There is also interest in plant pigments for health reasons because lutein, a major component of durum grain pigment, may play a role in prevention of age-related macular degen eration. Selection for pigment concentration of durum wheat is thus an important breeding objective. Clarification of environmental effects and the mode of inheritance would aid planning of crosses and selection strategies to improve pigment concentration. This study evaluated seven durum wheat crosses of high by low pigment concentration parents in five field trials grown at two or more locations for 2 or more years in western Canada. Pigment concentration varied with environment. A portion of the variability could be ascribed to environmental effects on kernel weight, which tended to be negatively correlated with pigment concentration in some crosses and years (r = 0.08 to -0.49), but was not consistent. Inheritance of pigment concentration was multigenic as evidenced by bi-directional transgressive segregation and estimates of the number of effective factors controlling the trait. The number of effective factors varied with cross and environment, ranging from 3 to 27. Heritability of pigment concentration was high when measured in replicated, multi-location, multiyear trials, and ranged from 0.88 to 0.95, but lower (0.34) in an unreplicated segregating cross. The complex inheritance of pigment concentration means that other genetic tools, such as DNA markers, will be required to improve choice of parents for crossing and selection strategies in breeding programs. Key words: Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum), pigment concentration, inheritance, environment


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 225-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. F. TOWNLEY-SMITH ◽  
L. A. PATTERSON ◽  
R. M. DEPAUW ◽  
C. W. B. LENDRUM ◽  
G. E. McCRYSTAL

Kyle durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) combines high yield with good quality and a high level of disease resistance. It is adapted to the Brown and Dark Brown soil zones of Alberta and Saskatchewan. It was licenced 28 June 1984. Breeder seed of Kyle will be maintained by the Agriculture Canada Experimental Farm, Indian Head, Saskatchewan.Key words: Durum wheat, cultivar description


2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Clarke ◽  
J. G. McLeod ◽  
R. M. DePauw ◽  
B. A. Marchylo ◽  
T. N. McCaig ◽  
...  

AC Navigator durum wheat is adapted to the Brown and Dark Brown soil zones of the Canadian prairies. It combines high yield with strong gluten properties. It is a semidwarf with shorter straw than all other registered cultivars in Canada, and has similar maturity to Kyle. Key words: Triticum turgidum L. var durum, durum wheat, cultivar description, yield, protein, disease resistance


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