J. Humphreys et al., EFFECTS OF SEED-BORNE MICRODOCHIUM-NIVALE ON ESTABLISHMENT AND GRAIN-YIELD OF WINTER-SOWN WHEAT, Plant varieties & seeds, 8(2), 1995, pp. 107-117
The relationship between seed-borne levels of Microdochium nivale and
establishment, development and subsequent grain yield of winter-sown w
heat under field conditions was quantified. Nine samples of different
varieties of wheat were sown in a field trial at two seeding rates (40
0 seeds and 480 seeds m(-2)) using untreated seed in November 1991. Pl
ant establishment in January 1992 was variable between varieties and r
anged from 26% to 69%. Samples of seed from each variety were tested o
n potato dextrose agar and found to have levels of M. nivale ranging f
rom 6% to 79% significantly correlated with plant establishment. Labor
atory work showed seed-borne M. nivale was effectively transmitted to
seedlings. At harvest, total grain yield ranged from 5.6 t ha(-1) to 9
.4 t ha(-1) and was significantly correlated with establishment; the n
umber of ears m(-2) (427 to 629) was also significantly correlated wit
h establishment. Observed reductions in emergence and grain yield indi
cate the importance of effective control of seed-borne M. nivale infec
tion in winter wheat.