A study of New Zealand wheats. II. Flower initiation and development

Abstract

In a field experiment Hilgendorf wheat was found to initiate and produce ears earlier than Aotea, Arawa, and Cross Seven. Under controlled conditions none of the varieties tested showed an obligatory requirement for vernalisation, although Hilgendorf responded more strongly than the other wheats. Vernalisation caused ears to be initiated earlier and at a lower leaf number provided plants were exposed subsequently to continuous light or 14-hour days; in a 10-hour day it had no effect. The length of the photoperiod influenced time to initiation and ear emergence as well as the number of leaves appearing at those stages. All varieties flowered in short days (10 hours), although only after 18-19 weeks from sowing. The field performance of wheat is examined on the basis of results obtained under controlled conditions.