Effect of Early Season Powdery Mildew on Development, Survival, and Yield Contribution of Tillers of Winter Wheat

The formation, survival, and development of primary and secondary tillers of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) are influenced by stresses the plant encounters during its growth. Three and two cultivars of winter wheat were planted near Clayton, North Carolina, in 1989 and 1990, respectively. Levels of powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) were established by triadimenol seed treatment and presence or absence of rows of susceptible wheat inoculated with powdery mildew. Presence of primary and secondary tillers was determined four times during the growing season, and the contribution of each tiller to yield was assessed at harvest (...)