Abstract
The growth and yield of new winter wheat Saikai 185 were compared with those of winter wheat Iwainodaichi and spring wheat Chikugoizumi for three years to evaluate the yielding ability of Saikai 185 in early sowing and to clarify the characteristics adaptable for early sowing. The double ridge formation and early stem elongation of Saikai 185 were almost equal to those of Iwainodaichi and later than those of Chikugoizumi. In contrast, the heading and maturity of Saikai 185 were almost equal to those of Chikugoizumi and Iwainodaichi. Saikai 185 exhibited characteristics similar to winter wheat Iwainodaichi, such as a large shoot number at the maximum tillering stage, many spikelets per spike, relatively short upper internodes, and a large LAI at the flowering stage. However, the total dry weight at the maximum tillering and flowering stages of Saikai 185 was equivalent to that of Chikugoizumi and Iwainodaichi. The grain yield of Saikai 185 was also similar to that of Iwainodaichi and Chikugoizumi. Flecken appeared on the leaf blade during ripening stage in Saikai 185, but it was not considered to inhibit dry matter production. These results suggest that the yielding ability of Saikai 185 is almost equal to that of Iwainodaichi and Chikugoizumi cultivated by early sowing when there are no frost injuries, although the developmental pattern differs among the three varieties.
