Changes in thermal requirements, growth and yield of wheat under the elevated temperature

A field experiment was conducted inside a temperature gradient tunnel (TGT) at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during rabi 2014-15 to quantify impacts of elevated on thermal requirement, growth and yield wheat crop. Wheat crop subjected five treatments, i.e. +0ºC (representing ambient condition), +0.9ºC, +2.5ºC, +2.8ºC +3.5ºC.Temperature elevation 3.5°C increased accumulated growing degree days (GDD) photo-thermal unit (PTU), thereby hastening maturity Leaf area index (LAI) affected most by high anthesis stage. Temperature 2.5°C above significantly reduced LAI wheat. Grain weight decreased 17.1%, while straw 10.5% with 3.5°C. weight, but grain got even 0.9°C temperature. Reduced number spikes per/m2 grains/spike yield. In fact, increase in spikelet sterility contributed towards reduction. The information generated from this study will help developing appropriate management practices for production