A Comparison of Different Vernalization Techniques in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

To measure the effect of vernalization on time to ear emergence allowance must be made for the growth which occurs during the vernalization treatment. In an experiment with eight contrasting wheat varieties it was shown that it is possible to express growth during vernalization in terms of days of growth at non-vernalizing temperatures, using linear regression of number of primordia on time after sowing. The use of linear regression of seedling height on time after sowing proved to be less accurate. Seeds of the vernalization-sensitive wheat variety, Sage, were vernalized while developing in the ear. These, and normal grains were subjected to a number of different vernalization treatments which varied in temperature, duration, and water availability. By vernalizing developing grains in the ear it was possible to obtain plants which had fewer leaves and were earlier in ear emergence than by using conventional vernalization techniques with normal seeds. Ear-vernalization proved to be an effective method of avoiding the complications caused by growth during vernalization of mature seed.