Interactions Among Number of Spikelets, Number of Grains and Grain Weight in the Spikes of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)*

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Abstract
In a field experiment, comprising four spring wheat cultivars, the frequency and final weight of the grains developing from each individual floret were determined in intact spikes and in spikes of which up to nine spikelets had been removed. The extent of damage caused by the cutting procedure was estimated. Characteristic distributions of the frequencies and weights of the individual grains were found for each cultivar. Removal of spikelets resulted, in most cases, in a small increase in the number of grains and in a considerable increase in the weight of the grains of the remaining spikelets. These increases compensated only partially, and differently in the different cultivars, for the loss of the removed spikelets. Defoliation at the time of earing caused a subsequent reduction in grain yield of intact spikes but no reduction in the yield of spikes from which nine spikelets had been removed. The removal of the upper florets in each spikelet resulted in a certain increase in the weight of the two basal grains. It is concluded that an increase in the number of spikelets per spike may reduce grain weight but will nevertheless contribute to yield. The number of grains per spikelet is cultivar dependent but not causally associated with grain weight. Grain set in distal florets is expected to add rather small grains to the spike's yield. Under conditions of limited supplies it may cause a reduction in the weight of the basal grains. Any increase in grain weight is anticipated to contribute to grain yield and is not liable to affect spikelets per spike or grains per spikelet.

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