Investigating the Impact of Sowing Date on Wheat Leaf Morphology Through Image Analysis

The morphology of wheat leaves is a key indicator of crop stand quality and photosynthetic capacity, with sowing date being a critical factor influencing leaf morphology. To investigate the effects of sowing time on wheat growth, development, and leaf phenotypes, this study utilized image analysis technology to systematically extract key phenotypic traits of winter wheat leaves, including effective leaf area, leaf color, and leaf shape. The results demonstrated that delayed sowing significantly affected the morphology and color characteristics of winter wheat leaves. Specifically, leaf length and width exhibited a quadratic decreasing trend, resulting in an average reduction in leaf area of over 59%. Additionally, the greenness index (EXG) decreased by 25.84%, while the red pigment index (EXR) increased by 21.69%. Significant differences in leaf color changes were observed among the varieties. This study provides reliable data for determining the optimal sowing period for winter wheat and offers valuable guidance for optimizing field management strategies to enhance crop yield and quality.