Structural development of the shoot and root systems of two winter wheat cultivars,Triticum aestivumL.

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Abstract
The structural development of the stems and basal anchorage roots of Galahad and Hereward winter wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) were investigated and related to their mechanical function. Stem and root morphology, anatomy and mechanical properties were examined from tillering (March) up to maturity (August), together with plant weight distribution. This allowed us to calculate a ‘factor of safety’ against root and stem failure throughout development. As the plants grew taller the stem and the anchorage ‘coronal roots’ increased in bending strength countering the increasing mechanical demands. The bending strength, in turn, was correlated with the amount of lignified material around the stem and root perimeter. Structural development ceased by ear emergence, when the plant was at its tallest, but because the ear weight continued to rise the ‘self-weight’ moment pushing the plant over continued to increase. This meant that the ‘safety factors’ of both cultivars against both root and stem mechanical failure decreased throughout development. In both cultivars the safety factors against root failure were lower than for stem failure, and Galahad had lower factors of safety than Hereward. All these findings were consistent with results of field trials; failure tends to occur late in development, during grain filling, and is localized to the root system, whilst Galahad is more prone to lodging than Hereward. The pattern of mechanical development of winter wheat seems to be one which would maximize its reproductive success, maintaining its structural integrity especially early in development while investing in a minimum of structural material.

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