A phenological evaluation of wheat for south-western Victoria

Abstract

Wheat lines and varieties known to vary phenologically were investigated in a serial sowing at two locations in south-western Victoria. They were classified into five categories: winter wheats, groups I and 11; semi-winter wheats; photoperiod-sensitive spring wheats; and relatively insensitive wheats. Only the winter wheats group I, and photoperiod-sensitive spring wheats were able to fully utilize the growing season available in the high rainfall areas of south-western Victoria. A system of cultivar evaluation in target environments, by the use of comparisons to near-isogenic lines in a reference environment, is discussed.