PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS ASSOCIATED WITH WINTER SURVIVAL OF WINTER WHEATS AND WINTER TRITICALES IN ALBERTA

Abstract
Several traits have been measured as indices for winter hardiness in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell). Published information on the response of winter triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) to these traits is limited. In this study LT50, water content, fresh weight, dry weight and total soluble carbohydrate (TSC) were determined for cold acclimated crowns of 10 breeding lines of T. aestivum and 18 of triticale. The T. aestivum lines evaluated were hardier than the triticale and LT50 appeared to be a reliable predictor of field survival (FSI). Correlations between LT50 and FSI were significant for both species. Correlation coefficients between traits measured differed between species. In triticale, correlations between dry weight, water content and LT50 were significant. In T. aestivum water content correlated closest with LT50. The relationship between TSC and FSI appeared to differ between the two species.Key words: X Triticosecale Wittmack, Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell, wheat (winter), cold hardiness, primary triticale, secondary triticale