2023 journal article
Bearded or smooth? Awns improve yield when wheat experiences heat stress during grain fill in the southeastern United States
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY, 74(21), 6749–6759.
author keywords: Awns; abiotic stress; gxe; phenology; reaction norm; wheat
open access via academic.oup.com (publisher PDF)
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Added: January 8, 2024
Abstract The presence or absence of awns—whether wheat heads are ‘bearded’ or ‘smooth’ – is the most visible phenotype distinguishing wheat cultivars. Previous studies suggest that awns may improve yields in heat or water-stressed environments, but the exact contribution of awns to yield differences remains unclear. Here we leverage historical phenotypic, genotypic, and climate data for wheat (Triticum aestivum) to estimate the yield effects of awns under different environmental conditions over a 12-year period in the southeastern USA. Lines were classified as awned or awnless based on sequence data, and observed heading dates were used to associate grain fill periods of each line in each environment with climatic data and grain yield. In most environments, awn suppression was associated with higher yields, but awns were associated with better performance in heat-stressed environments more common at southern locations. Wheat breeders in environments where awns are only beneficial in some years may consider selection for awned lines to reduce year-to-year yield variability, and with an eye towards future climates.