Some Aspects of the Whole Plant Physiology of Selected Short Stature Wheat Cultivars

Abstract

Since their initial release in 1961 short stature wheats of Norin 10 origin have, by virtue of their grain yield potential, made a dramatic impact on wheat breeding programmes in every country where the crop is produced. In an attempt to define the physiological components concerned in this enhanced grain yield potential, some aspects of whole plant physiology of some Norin 10 derivatives were examined and compared with a standard height Australian cultivar of the Gabo type. The research programme incorporated a study of - a) Morphogenetic changes associated with physiological development, on the basis of the whole plant. b) Analysis of morphological and physiological characteristics of the growth cycle of the plant. c) Plant parameters affected by nitrogen fertilizer in two field environments.