Studies on frost injury to wheat. III. Screening of varieties for resistance to ear and stem frosting

Abstract

A technique for freezing plants in pots has been evolved to test the resistance of different varieties of wheat to frost during the phase of stem elongation prior to ear emergence.

Significant positive correlations were established between the results of this test and the performance of 18 varieties in two field trials, as determined by counts of tiller mortality after severe frosts.

Screening tests with 430 early-maturing spring wheats showed that variation in resistance between varieties is restricted, but of sufficient magnitude to be considered by plant breeders working in frost-liable areas.