Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Physiological attributes associated with yield and stability in selected lines of a durum wheat population

  • Published:
Euphytica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Further increasing yield potential remains one of the main objectives of wheat breeding, even in stressful environments. In general, past genetic gains were associated with increases in harvest index, and future gains should be related to greater biomass. Identifying genetic sources for such improvement may be relevant. Researchers of TRITIMED identified DH lines of durum wheat apparently possessing not only high yield potential but also good yield stability. We aimed to determine physiological attributes responsible for yield and stability among a set of genotypes derived from two parents (Cham 1 and Lahn) and four of the most promising lines of the DH population (2401, 2408, 2410, 2517). Seven field trials were carried out within the Mediterranean agricultural region of the Ebro Valley, under a wide range of conditions (ca 2–10 mg ha−1). In four of these experiments, sub-plots were included with source-sink manipulations imposed after anthesis. Cham 1, a cultivar known for high yields in semi-arid conditions, showed the highest yield potential. Although it showed less yield stability than Lahn, even under the lowest yielding conditions its yield was not significantly lower than that of Lahn. RILs 2408, 2410, 2004 and 2517 slightly outyielded Lahn in high-yielding conditions, but under poorer environments they tended to yield less. Interestingly, yield differences were closely related to their biomass rather than harvest index. Thus yield differences relating to the number of grains per m2 were due to differences in spike dry matter at anthesis, reflecting in part genotypic differences in crop growth from jointing to anthesis. In general grain weight did not respond to spike trimming after anthesis, although in two experiments the grain weight of Cham 1 did so. Thus, even the highest-yielding cultivar possessed grains that overall seemed more limited by its constitutive capacity to grow than by the availability of resources to reach this capacity (though occasionally they may be co-limited). Overall, the most interesting feature was the empirical evidence that improvement of biomass within elite material is a worthwhile objective.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abeledo LG, Calderini DF, Slafer GA (2003) Genetic improvement of barley yield potential and its physiological determinants in Argentina (1944–1998). Euphytica 130:325–334

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Acreche MM, Slafer GA (2006) Grain weight response to increases in number of grains in wheat in a Mediterranean area. Field Crops Res 98:52–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Acreche MM, Slafer GA (2009) Grain weight, radiation interception and use efficiency as affected by sink-strength in Mediterranean wheats released from 1940 to 2005. Field Crops Res 110:98–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Acreche MM, Briceno-Felix G, Sanchez JAM, Slafer GA (2008) Physiological bases of genetic gains in Mediterranean bread wheat yield in Spain. Eur J Agron 28:162–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alvaro F, Garcia Del Moral LF, Royo C (2007) Usefulness of remote sensing for the assessment of growth traits in individual cereal plants grown in the field. Int J Remote Sens 28:2497–2512

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alvaro F, Royo C, del Moral LFG, Villegas D (2008) Grain filling and dry matter translocation responses to source-sink modifications in a historical series of durum wheat. Crop Sci 48:1523–1531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Araus JL, Slafer GA, Royo C, Dolores Serret M (2008) Breeding for yield potential and stress adaptation in cereals. Crit Rev Plant Sci 27:377–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Araus JL, Slafer GA, Reynolds MP, Royo C (2009) Breeding for yield potential. In: Ceccarelli S, Guimaraes EP, Weltzien E (eds) Plant breeding and farmer participation, FAO edn. FAO, Rome, pp 449–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Austin RB, Bingham J, Blackwell RD, Evans LT, Ford MA, Morgan CL, Taylor M (1980a) Genetic improvements in winter wheat yields since 1900 and associated physiological changes. J Agric Sci 94:675–689

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Austin RB, Morgan CL, Ford MA, Blackwell RD (1980b) Contributions to grain yield from Pre-anthesis assimilation in tall and dwarf barley phenotypes in two contrasting seasons. Ann Bot 45:309–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Austin RB, Ford MA, Morgan CL (1989) Genetic improvement in the yield of winter wheat—a further evaluation. J Agric Sci 112:295–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blum A (2005) Drought resistance, water-use efficiency, and yield potential—are they compatible, dissonant, or mutually exclusive? Aust J Agric Res 56:1159–1168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borras L, Slafer GA, Otegui ME (2004) Seed dry weight response to source-sink manipulations in wheat, maize and soybean: a quantitative reappraisal. Field Crops Res 86:131–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calderini DF, Slafer GA (1999) Has yield stability changed with genetic improvement of wheat yield? Euphytica 107:51–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calderini DF, Dreccer MF, Slafer GA (1995) Genetic improvement in wheat yield and associated traits—a reexamination of previous results and the latest trends. Plant Breed 114:108–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calderini DF, Dreccer MF, Slafer GA (1997) Consequences of breeding on biomass, radiation interception and radiation-use efficiency in wheat. Field Crops Res 52:271–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cartelle J, Pedro A, Savin R, Slafer GA (2006) Grain weight responses to post-anthesis spikelet-trimming in an old and a modern wheat under Mediterranean conditions. Eur J Agron 25:365–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Vita P, Nicosia OLD, Nigro F, Platani C, Riefolo C, Di Fonzo N, Cattivelli L (2007) Breeding progress in morpho-physiological, agronomical and qualitative traits of durum wheat cultivars released in Italy during the 20th century. Eur J Agron 26:39–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • del Moral LFG, Rharrabti Y, Elhani S, Martos V, Royo C (2005) Yield formation in Mediterranean durum wheats under two contrasting water regimes based on path-coefficient analysis. Euphytica 146:203–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (1990) UNESCO soil map of the world: revised legend. World Soil Resources Report 60. FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Finlay KW, Wilkinson GN (1963) Analysis of adaptation in a plant breeding programme. Aust J Agric Res 14:742–754

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer RA (2007) Understanding the physiological basis of yield potential in wheat. J Agric Sci 145:99–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher JN, Biscoe PV (1978) Radiation absorption, growth and yield of cereals. J Agric Sci 91:47–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giunta F, Motzo R, Pruneddu G (2007) Trends since 1900 in the yield potential of Italian-bred durum wheat cultivars. Eur J Agron 27:12–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green CF (1989) Genotypic differences in the growth of Triticum aestivum in relation to absorbed solar radiation. Field Crops Res 19:285–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jandel Scientific (1991) Table curve v. 3.0, User’s Manual. AISN Software, Corte Madera, CA

  • Kirby EJM (1988) Analysis of leaf, stem and ear growth in wheat from the terminal spikelet stage to anthesis. Field Crops Res 18:127–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kruk BC, Calderini DF, Slafer GA (1997) Grain weight in wheat cultivars released from 1920 to 1990 as affected by post-anthesis defoliation. J Agric Sci 128:273–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loss SP, Kirby EJM, Siddique KHM, Perry MW (1989) Grain growth and development of old and modern Australian wheats. Field Crops Res 21:131–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miralles DJ, Slafer GA (1995) Yield, biomass and yield components in dwarf, semidwarf and tall isogenic lines of spring wheat under recommended and late sowing dates. Plant Breed 114:392–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miralles DJ, Slafer GA (1997) Radiation interception and radiation use efficiency of near-isogenic wheat lines with different height. Euphytica 97:201–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miralles DJ, Slafer GA (2007) Sink limitations to yield in wheat: how could it be reduced? J Agric Sci 145:139–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miralles DJ, Dominguez CF, Slafer GA (1996) Relationship between grain growth and postanthesis leaf area duration in dwarf, semidwarf and tall isogenic lines of wheat. J Agron Crop Sci Zeitschrift Fur Acker Und Pflanzenbau 177:115–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miralles DJ, Katz SD, Colloca A, Slafer GA (1998) Floret development in near isogenic wheat lines differing in plant height. Field Crops Res 59:21–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Motzo R, Fois S, Giunta F (2004) Relationship between grain yield and quality of durum wheats from different eras of breeding. Euphytica 140:147–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nachit MM (1998) Durum breeding research to improve dry-land productivity in the Mediterranean region. In: Rao SC, Ryan J (eds) SEWANA durum research network. ICARDA, Aleppo, pp 1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Nachit MM, Elouafi I (2004) Durum adaptation in the Mediterranean dryland: breeding, stress physiology, and molecular markers. In: Rao SC, Ryan J (eds) Challenges and strategies for dryland agricultures. Crop Science Society of America Inc edn. CSSA, Madison, pp 203–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Nachit MM, Elouafi I, Pagnotta MA, El Saleh A, Iacono E, Labhilili M, Asbati A, Azrak M, Hazzam H, Benscher D, Khairallah M, Ribaut JM, Tanzarella OA, Porceddu E, Sorrells ME (2001) Molecular linkage map for an intraspecific recombinant inbred population of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). Theor Appl Genet 102:177–186

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peltonen-Sainio P, Kangas A, Salo Y, Jauhiainen L (2007) Grain number dominates grain weight in temperate cereal yield determination: evidence based on 30 years of multi-locations trials. Field Crops Res 100:179–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perry MW, D’Antuono MF (1989) Yield improvement and associated characteristics of some Australian spring wheat cultivars introduced between 1860 and 1982. Aust J Agric Res 40:457–472

    Google Scholar 

  • Pswarayi A, van Eeuwijk FA, Ceccarelli S, Grando S, Comadran J, Russell JR, Francia E, Pecchioni N, Li Destri O, Akar T, Al-Yassin A, Benbelkacem A, Choumane W, Karrou M, Ouabbou H, Bort J, Araus JL, Molina-Cano JL, Thomas WTB, Romagosa I (2008) Barley adaptation and improvement in the Mediterranean basin. Plant Breed 127:554–560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rekika D, Nachit MM, Araus JL, Monneveux P (1998) Effects of water deficit on photosynthetic rate and osmotic adjustment in tetraploid wheats. Photosynthetica 35:129–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds M, Tuberosa R (2008) Translational research impacting on crop productivity in drought-prone environments. Curr Opin Plant Biol 11:171–179

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds MP, Pellegrineschi A, Skovmand B (2005) Sink-limitation to yield and biomass: a summary of some investigations in spring wheat. Ann Appl Biol 146:39–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds M, Calderini D, Condon A, Vargas M (2007) Association of source/sink traits with yield, biomass and radiation use efficiency among random sister lines from three wheat crosses in a high-yield environment. J Agric Sci 145:3–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds M, Foulkes MJ, Slafer GA, Berry P, Parry MAJ, Snape JW, Angus WJ (2009) Raising yield potential in wheat. J Exp Bot 60:1899–1918

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richards RA (1992) The effect of dwarfing genes in spring wheat in dry environments I. Agronomic characteristics. Aust J Agric Res 43:517–522

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards RA (1996) Increasing yield potential in wheat-source and sink limitations. In: Reynolds MP, Rajaram R, McNab A (eds) Increasing yield potential in wheat: breaking the barriers. CIMMYT, Mexico

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute (1999) SAS/IML User’s Guide, Version 8. SAS Institute, Inc, Cary

    Google Scholar 

  • Savin R, Slafer GA (1991) Shading effects on the yield of an Argentinean wheat cultivar. J Agric Sci 116:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shearman VJ, Sylvester-Bradley R, Scott RK, Foulkes MJ (2005) Physiological processes associated with wheat yield progress in the UK. Crop Sci 45:175–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Siddique KHM, Belford RK, Perry MW, Tennant D (1989) Growth, development and light interception of old and modern wheat cultivars in a Mediterranean type environment. Aust J Agric Res 40:473–487

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair TR, Purcell LC, Sneller CH (2004) Crop transformation and the challenge to increase yield potential. Trends Plant Sci 9:70–75

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Slafer GA (2003) Genetic basis of yield as viewed from a crop physiologist’s perspective. Ann Appl Biol 142:117–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slafer GA, Andrade FH (1991) Changes in physiological attributes of the dry matter economy of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) through genetic improvement of grain yield potential at different regions of the world—a review. Euphytica 58:37–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slafer GA, Andrade FH (1993) Physiological attributes related to the generation of grain yield in bread wheat cultivars released at different eras. Field Crops Res 31:351–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slafer GA, Araus JL (2007) Physiological traits for improving wheat yield under a wide range of conditions. Scale Complex Plant Syst Res Gene-Plant-Crop Relat 21:147–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slafer GA, Rawson HM (1995) Base and optimum temperatures vary with genotype and stage of development in wheat. Plant Cell Environ 18:671–679

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slafer GA, Savin R (1991) Developmental base temperature in different phenological phases of wheat (Triticum aestivum). J Exp Bot 42:1077–1082

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slafer GA, Savin R (1994) Source–sink relationships and grain mass at different positions within the spike in wheat. Field Crops Res 37:39–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slafer GA, Andrade FH, Feingold SE (1990) Genetic improvement of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Argentina—relationships between nitrogen and dry matter. Euphytica 50:63–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slafer GA, Satorre EH, Andrade FH (1994) Increases in grain yield in bread wheat from breeding and associated physiological changes. In: Slafer GA (ed) Genetic improvement of field crops. Marcel Dekker, New York, pp 1–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Slafer GA, Abeledo LG, Miralles DJ, Gonzalez FG, Whitechurch EM (2001) Photoperiod sensitivity during stem elongation as an avenue to raise potential yield in wheat. Wheat Glob Environ 9:487–496

    Google Scholar 

  • Slafer GA, Araus JL, Royo C, Del Moral LFG (2005) Promising eco-physiological traits for genetic improvement of cereal yields in Mediterranean environments. Ann Appl Biol 146:61–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tambussi EA, Nogues S, Araus JL (2005) Ear of durum wheat under water stress: water relations and photosynthetic metabolism. Planta 221:446–458

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waddington SR, Osmanzai M, Yoshida M, Ransom JK (1987) The yield of durum wheats released in Mexico between 1960 and 1984. J Agric Sci 108:469–477

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wollenweber B, Porter JR, Lubberstedt T (2005) Need for multidisciplinary research towards a second green revolution—commentary. Curr Opin Plant Biol 8:337–341

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zadoks JC, Chang TT, Konzak CF (1974) Decimal code for growth stages of cereals. Weed Res 14:415–421

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Jaume Gregori (DAAR, Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain) for general agronomic advice within Agramunt area and Miloudi Nachit, ICARDA, Syria, for kindly providing the seeds of Cham 1, Lahn and the RILs. This work was mainly supported by OPTIWHEAT, an INCO-Project of the European Union on “Improving the Yield Stability of Durum Wheat under Mediterranean Conditions” (EC Contract Number: INCO-CT-2006-015460); with partial additional support from a project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation on “Physiological Bases of Yield and Quality of Cereals” (AGL2006-07814/AGR). AP held a FPI scholarship from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop and Forest Sciences, University of Lleida, Centre UdL-IRTA, Av. Rovira Roure 191, 25198, Lleida, Spain

    Anna Pedro, Roxana Savin & Gustavo A. Slafer

  2. Plant Science Department, Centre for Crop Genetic Improvement, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK

    Dimah Z. Habash

  3. ICREA (Catalonian Institution for Research and Advanced Studies), Barcelona, Spain

    Gustavo A. Slafer

Authors
  1. Anna Pedro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Roxana Savin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dimah Z. Habash
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gustavo A. Slafer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gustavo A. Slafer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pedro, A., Savin, R., Habash, D.Z. et al. Physiological attributes associated with yield and stability in selected lines of a durum wheat population. Euphytica 180, 195–208 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-011-0352-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-011-0352-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation