EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE. NITROGEN FERTILIZATION AND MOISTURE STRESS ON YIELD, YIELD COMPONENTS, PROTEIN CONTENT AND MOISTURE USE EFFICIENCY OF MANITOU SPRING WHEAT

The effects of temperature, nitrogen fertility (N), and moisture stress on the yield components, protein content and moisture use efficiency of Manitou wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were determined under simulated irrigation in a 2 × 3 × 5 factorial experiment. Grain yield was directly related to and mainly influenced by N. Yield was directly related to the number of spikes (r = 0.71**), and the number of seeds/spike (r = 0.65**), and inversely related to average seed weight (r = −0.41**). Seed weight was also inversely related to the number of spikes and number of seeds per spike. At maturity, the number of spikes was directly and mainly affected by N. The number of spikelets per spike, seed set of primary and secondary florets, and seed weight were inversely related to, and mainly a function of, temperature. At high temperature and low NO3-N, low moisture stress was detrimental to several yield components where these conditions existed during a period critical to the development of the component. These p...