Winter wheat morphology response to cold temperature stress during autumn acclimation

Abstract

L. Baležentienė, V. Spruogis

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) abilities depend on development during autumn acclimation. The plant ability of acclimation to low temperatures is closely associated with the photosynthesis level, leaf area index (LAI), root system development. This study investigated the effect of liquid humic fertilizers (LHF) on biometric characteristics, namely LAI, root and shoot development. The fertilizers were applied in conventional and organic growth technologies of w. wheat to adapt to the low temperatures during autumn acclimation. Winter wheat «Širvinta 1» was grown in different rotation fields of conventional (CF; Albi-EpihypogleyicLuvisol, LVg-p-w-ab) and organic (OF; Hapli-EpihypogleyicLuvisol, LVg-p-w-ha) farming of Training Farm at Aleksandras Stulginskis University (ASU) during 2010–2011. The obtained results confirmed the significant LHF influence on enhancing winter wheat biometrical indices and seedling growth. Nonetheless, seed felting exhibited stronger effect on LAI (increased by 0.7-1.1 g m-1 day-1 in OF and 0.25-0.7 g m-1 day-1 in CF), root length (increased by 1166 mm in OF and 1182.55 mm in CF) and area (increased by 72.45 mm2 in OF and 588.7 mm2 in CF) during autumn acclimation rather than seedling spraying.