Wheat spike temperatures in relation to varying environmental conditions

Abstract

Most field studies investigating the effect of temperature on growth processes use temperatures recorded within a Stevenson screen. These are likely to deviate from temperatures within the plant. This investigation reports a comparative study of methodologies and applications for measuring temperatures in the field during grain development by comparing Stevenson screen, ambient (air temperatures within the crop canopy), and wheat spike temperatures. Miniature sensors were inserted into wheat spikelets located midway on the spike of a primary tiller at anthesis. Located also within the crop canopy, and at the same height as the spike sensors, were sensors to measure ambient temperatures. Stev..