The growth behaviour of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the presence of inter- and intraspecific neighbours

Competition is an important factor shaping plant communities. We studied the interaction of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. AP503cl2) with neighbouring plant species under controlled greenhouse conditions. We observed that winter wheat leaves growing toward other winter wheat cultivars were shorter when compared with leaves growing toward non-wheat neighbours. The angle between the lateral tillers of neighbours varied as follows: 63 degrees where the neighbours were winter wheat of the same cultivar (AP503cl2), 92 degrees where no neighbours exist, and 94 degrees-134 degrees with all other neighbours. Generally, roots were longer compared with the shoots, but more biomass was allocated to the shoots compared with roots.

Automated summary

Competition is a crucial factor in shaping plant communities. Winter wheat exhibits different growth adaptations in competition with neighboring plant species.