Abstract:

In order to study effects of water stress on winter wheat yield on the North China plain, field experiments under three levels of soil moisture, namely, severe water stress (≤40.0%), moderate drought (40.1%-55.0%) and suitable water (55.1%-80.0 %) were carried out at Gucheng ecological-meteorological experimental station of Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences. The test cultivar was winter wheat (NO.22 Jimai). The results show that a growth period of winter wheat is shortened, and its plant height, leaf area and filling rate decrease under two treatments of severe water stress and moderate water stress. The order of growth rate of plant height under different water treatments is suitable water> moderate drought> severe water stress, so is that of filling rate. More dry-matter is transferred into stem due to soil water stress. Wheat yield will be reduced if wheat is influenced by water stress during growth and development. Compared with yield under suitable water, yield under severe water stress could reach only 69%.

Key words: Winter wheat, Water stress, Developmental period, Yield