Abstract:

Plot yield is an important evaluation factor in wheat breeding process. The marginal advantage effect impacts on plot yield, so it is important to understand the difference of marginal advantage effects between different wheat varieties to evaluate yield performance of a wheat variety. In this study, four facultative and semi-dwarf wheat varieties with similar plant heights, i.e., Zhoumai 18, Huayu 198, Zhengyu 8, and Bainong 207, from Southern Huang-Huai Rivers Valley Winter Wheat Zone, were used in a plot trial. The yields of side-rows, middle-rows and plot were studied to determine the marginal effects and middle-row performance. The side-row yield of the four varieties were greater than that of the middle rows. Except for Zhoumai 18, the side-row yield of other three varieties were significantly greater than that of middle rows. The yields were calculated on the side-row and plot basis, respectively. The rank of all varieties based on the yield of plot and yield of side-row was Bainong 207, Zhengyu 8, Huayu 198, Zhoumai 18. The yield rank was Huayu 198, Bainong 207, Zhengyu 8, Zhoumai 18 when the yields were calculated by inner-row. The rank of different wheat varieties in the plot yield were affected by the marginal advantage effects and middle-row performance of the varieties. In the process of wheat breeding and cultivation, the marginal effect and the middle-row performance of different varieties should be fully considered.

Key words: Wheat variety, Plot experiment, Marginal advantage effect, Inner-row performance, Plot yield