Analysis of effects in wheat of high temperature on grain filling attributes estimated from mathematical models of grain filling

Compared with growth at 20/15 degreesC (day/night), exposure of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants to moderately high temperature (30/25 degreesC) significantly decreased grain weight through shortening the duration of grain filling, combined with small (or no) positive increases in the rate of grain filling. Several mathematical models of grain filling were assessed for their suitability as means of analysing these effects of temperature. The ordinary logistic model was found to be the most appropriate model and was used for the analysis of grain filling responses in four cultivars differing in their responses. Genotypic variation in response to temperature was observed for both rate and duration of grain filling, but the variation for the duration of grain filling among cultivars was small at the higher temperature. Significant correlation was found between single grain weight with the rate, but not with the duration, of grain filling at high temperature, which indicated an important role for synthetic processes involved in grain filling in the temperature sensitivity of wheat cultivars. As they are independent traits, both rate and duration are required selection criteria for the improvement of heat tolerance. Responses of one attribute estimated from the logistic model, the inflection point of the course of grain filling, may give insight into a temperature response that is distinguishable from that associated with the duration of grain filling. The inflection point appears to be worth including as a criterion in selecting for high temperature tolerance in wheat.