Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2010, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (3): 289-297.DOI: 10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.03.006

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Responses and regulation of canopy microclimate on formation spike from tillers of two types of wheat

LI Na-Na*(), TIAN Qi-Zhuo**(), WANG Shu-Liang, XIE Lian-Jie, PEI Yan-Ting, LI Hui   

  1. College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, Shandong 271018, China
  • Received:2009-01-19 Accepted:2009-10-30 Online:2010-01-19 Published:2010-03-01
  • Contact: TIAN Qi-Zhuo

Abstract:

Aims Wheat (Triticum aestivum) tillering characteristics provide an important basis for controlling population dynamic structure. However, studies on maximum tillering potential and different sowing methods and row spacings are lacking for different varieties. Our objective was to examine the maximum tillering potential and explore proper sowing methods and row allocation to increase the yield of different tillering types.

Methods The experiment was conducted on the farm of Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China, using large-spike (Shannong 8355 and Lankao Aizao 8) and multiple-spike (Jimai 20 and Lumai 14) cultivars. Broadcast and seed drilling (row spacing of 30, 25, 20 and 15 cm) treatments were used in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Every treatment added dibble seeding with 30 cm plant spacing. Plot area is 8 m2.

Important findings The two types have higher tillering ability with dibble seeding, but there are significant differences in spike number and spike rate. Canopy microclimate has greater influence on the two types than do genetic factors. The large-spike cultivar has a higher degree of response on the colony environment than the multiple-spike cultivar. Canopy structure can be effectively controlled by seeding mode. Drilling makes significantly higher economic yield than broadcast seeding. The degree of response to row spacing differs among the varieties. It is suggested that a suitable combination of cultivar and row spacing could effectively increase grain yield, with the row spacing 23.4-23.9 cm for multiple-spike cultivars and 16.5-16.9 cm for large-spike cultivars. Broadcast seeding and narrow spacing drill seeding increase tillering and the canopy light interception (LI) of the upper and central portion in the booting and filling stage, but reduce the number of grains and kernel weight. After the booting stage, seeding mode affects CO2 concentration of every layer, although not significantly.

Key words: canopy microclimate, sowing methods, tillering potential, variety types, winter wheat