Correlation among vegetative and reproductive variables in wheat under a climate change simulation

Based on climate change scenarios predicted for northwestern Mexico, an experiment was carried out during the 2016- 2017 and 2017-2018 crop cycles, under field conditions in wheat, in the Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico. The assay consisted on canopy temperature increase by + 2 degrees C with respect to ambient temperature, using a temperature free-air controlled enhancement (T-FACE) system for temperature manipulation and control. This experiment aimed to determine the existing correlation among vegetative and reproductive variables that can result precise indicators of warming tolerance. A total of 30 variables divided into: morphological (6), physiological (7), biochemical (8) and agronomic (9) indicators were evaluated, using CIRNO C2008 cultivar as experimental model. For each variable, the response index, in a total of five repetition each year, was computed. Results indicated that, during the vegetative stages, the most precise variables for heat tolerance evaluation were: dry matter, vegetal vigor, water potential, nitrate reductase and transpiration indexes; while during the reproductive stage were: grain and biomass yield, spike mass and vain grain per spike indexes. There was a positive correlation among the most majority of vegetative and reproductive variables, being water and osmotic potential indexes those with the greatest contribution to biomass and grain yield. From the 30 evaluated variables, water and osmotic potential, transpiration, grain yield and field water use efficiency indexes were the most precise indicator of heat tolerance in CIRNO C2008 under canopy temperature increase in + 2 degrees C.

Automated summary

An experiment in the Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico, aimed to determine precise indicators of warming tolerance in wheat under canopy temperature increase. Results showed positive correlations among vegetative and reproductive variables, with water and osmotic potential indexes contributing the most to biomass and grain yield. Water and osmotic potential, transpiration, grain yield, and field water use efficiency were identified as the most precise indicators of heat tolerance.