Wheat Growth Indices at Key Developmental Stages and Their Relationship with Grain Yield

Hanane; Hanane Ouhemi; Ali Amamou; Mohamed Boutfirass

Article Details

Wheat Growth Indices at Key Developmental Stages and Their Relationship with Grain Yield

Authors:

Hanane | Hanane Ouhemi | Ali Amamou | Mohamed Boutfirass

Publisher:

INRA

Journal:

African and Mediterranean Agricultural Journal - Al Awamia Issue 150, pp.1-11

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001843687

pISSN:

2658-9184

Abstract:

 Crop growth indices derived from leaf area expansion and dry biomass accumulation provide valuable insights into plant performance under variable environmental conditions. In this study, the growth behaviour of ten bread wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) was evaluated over three cropping seasons in Beni Mellal region of Morocco. The measured traits include relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilate rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), leaf weight ratio (LWR), and specific leaf area (SLA), with particular emphasis on their relationships with grain yield at the tillering, heading, flowering, and grain-filling stages of development. The results revealed a significant effect of year on all growth indices, reflecting their sensitivity to climatic conditions. In contrast, the genotype effect was significant only for some traits at specific growth stage, notably for LAR at heading, flowering, and grain filling, and for LWR at flowering and grain filling. Grain yield was positively correlated with RGR only at the tillering stage (r=0.23*). In contrast, LAR showed significant positive correlations with yield at all growth stages: tillering (r=0.27*), heading (r=0.34***), flowering (r=0.34***), and grain filling (r=0.33***). Similarly, LWR was positively correlated with yield at heading (r=0.22*), flowering (r=0.15), and grain filling (r=0.29**). Likewise, SLA exhibited significant positive correlations with grain yield at tillering (r=0.24**), heading (r=0.26**), flowering (r=0.37***), and grain filling (0.22*). In conclusion, the evaluated growth indices exhibited stage-specific relationships with grain yield. A more comprehensive assessment of the direct and indirect effects of each growth index on grain yield requires further physiological investigation to better elucidate the underlying processes. Nevertheless, the studied correlations of the growth indices at specific developmental stages with yield represent a promising strategy for optimizing plant growth and ultimately enhancing grain productivity.

Article Details

Wheat Growth Indices at Key Developmental Stages and Their Relationship with Grain Yield

Authors: Hanane | Hanane Ouhemi | Ali Amamou | Mohamed Boutfirass

Publisher: INRA

Journal: African and Mediterranean Agricultural Journal - Al Awamia Issue 150, pp.1-11

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 3/2026

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001843687

pISSN: 2658-9184

Issues

Authors:

Hanane | Hanane Ouhemi | Ali Amamou | Mohamed Boutfirass

Publisher:

INRA

Journal:

African and Mediterranean Agricultural Journal - Al Awamia Issue 150, pp.1-11

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001843687

pISSN:

2658-9184