Penrose, L. D. J.; Rawson, H. M.; Zajac, M.
Abstract:
This study sought to better estimate vernalisation in winter wheats, so that their early development and time of anthesis can be better predicted. For this, an accurate relationship between temperature and the effectiveness of vernalisation is required. Using previously published data, our study found that the relationship between temperature and effectiveness of vernalisation can be suitably described by a quadratic function. In contrast, most previous studies used linear interpolation functions to describe vernalising effectiveness. These consist of a series of linear functions of temperature over adjoining temperature ranges. An advantage of quadratic functions is that they allow effectiveness of vernalisation to be described in terms of underlying physiological processes, and require the estimation of fewer parameters to predict wheat development. Our study found the cardinal temperatures for vernalisation to be