Delayed development of basal spikelets in wheat explains their increased floret abortion and rudimentary nature

Large differences exist in the number of grains per spikelet across an individual wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) spike. The central spikelets produce the highest number of grains, while apical and basal spikelets are less productive, and the most basal spikelets are commonly only developed in rudimentary form. Basal spikelets are delayed in initiation, yet they continue to develop and produce florets. The precise timing or the cause of their abortion remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the underlying causes of basal spikelet abortion using shading applications in the field. We found that basal spikelet abortion is likely to be the consequence of complete floret abortion, as both occur concurrently and have the same response to shading treatments. We detected no differences in assimilate availability across the spike. Instead, we show that the reduced developmental age of basal florets pre-anthesis is strongly associated with their increased abortion. Using the developmental age pre-abortion, we were able to predict final grain set per spikelet across the spike, alongside the characteristic gradient in the number of grains from basal to central spikelets. Future efforts to improve spikelet homogeneity across the spike could thus focus on improving basal spikelet establishment and increasing floret development rates pre-abortion. Rudimentary basal wheat spikelets are likely to be a consequence of their delayed development and not due to reduced assimilate availability in basal compared with central spikelets

Automated summary

There are large differences in the number of grains per spikelet in wheat spikes. Central spikelets have the highest grain count, while apical and basal spikelets are less productive, with the most basal ones being rudimentary. The abortion of basal spikelets is likely due to complete floret abortion, and their developmental age pre-anthesis is strongly associated with increased abortion rate. Improvement in spikelet homogeneity could focus on enhancing basal spikelet establishment and increasing floret development rates pre-abortion. Rudimentary basal wheat spikelets are a result of delayed development, not reduced assimilate availability.