Dynamics of Brix and pH of Flag Leaf Sap of Winter Wheat Cultivars and Their Relationship with Grain Yield Components

Crop breeders are trying to integrate physio-logical screening tools into breeding programs toimprove breeding efficiency. Different physiologi-cal parameters, such as leaf photosyntheticrate1,2], leaf chlorophyll content, canopy tempera-ture depression and stomatal conductance3], andradiation use efficiency4], leaf conductance5],have been recommended as possible screening toolsfor wheat breeding. However, few literature wasfound to use plant tissue sap analysis as screeningtools in breedi…

Dynamics of Brix and pH of Flag Leaf Sap of Winter Wheat Cultivars and Their Relationship with Grain Yield Components

Plant tissue sap analysis is becoming an established tool for crop fertilization recommendation. Few research was conducted to use it as screening tools in crop breeding. With introduction of hhand-held sap analysis meters, sap analysis is becoming a promising tool for genotype screening. In this study, we measured Brix and pH of flag leaf juice of 10 winter wheat genotypes after heading stage. Brix value tended to increase during the measurement period. Brix value of flag leaf sap was negatively correlated with kernel number per spike and grain yield per spike, positively correlated with kernel weight. The pH values of flag leaf sap were negatively correlated with kernel number per spike and grain yield per spike, positively correlated with kernel weight.