Table 3.
The effect of reduced kernel number on the response of kernel filling in wheat to drought stress following anthesis, under moderate temperature conditions (18/13 °C)
| Treatment | Flag blade Ψw (MPa)* | Dry weight per kernel (mg)† |
| Control | ||
| Full kernel number | –0·64 ± 0·06 | 82·6 ± 1·0a |
| Reduced kernel number‡ | –0·55 ± 0·05 | 85·0 ± 1·0a |
| Mild stress | ||
| Full kernel number | –1·60 ± 0·28 | 49·2 ± 2·2b |
| Reduced kernel number‡ | –1·10 ± 0·15 | 71·3 ± 2·2c |
| Severe stress | ||
| Full kernel number | –7·04 ± 0·84 | 28·6 ± 2·0d |
| Reduced kernel number‡ | –3·20 ± 1·09 | 35·1 ± 2·2e |
* Flag leaf water potential (Ψw) 20 d after anthesis (n = 6).
† Dry weight per kernel at maturity, based on the measurement of the two basal kernels from the five central spikelets of 16 replicates ± s.e. Values with different superscripts differ significantly at the 5 % level.
‡ Kernels removed from all but the five central spikelets of an ear.