VERNALIZATION AND DAYS TO ANTHESIS OF WINTER WHEAT UNDER CONTROLLED TEMPERATURE AND LIGHT

Abstract

Eight varieties of winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L. emend Thell., were sown in soil and held in a growth cabinet for vernalization treatments of 0 to 11 weeks at 10 °C and 8 hours photoperiod, and then grown to maturity at 21 °C under continuous light. Floral development was induced in all varieties. Treatments of 5 to 8 weeks resulted in earlier anthesis and higher seed yields than shorter or longer periods. The variety Comanche required only 77 days from seeding to anthesis, including 5 weeks of vernalization.