ARS | Publication request: SIMULATION OF TILLERING IN SMALL GRAIN CEREALS: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE.

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 30, 2003
Publication Date: November 1, 2003
Citation: Wilhelm, W.W., Mcmaster, G.S. 2003. Simulation of tillering in small grain cereals: past, present, and future.. Agronomy Abstracts A03-Wilhelm 101795.

Technical Abstract: Spike number is often the critical yield component in small grain cereals. Tillering is the primary mechanism by which small grains adjust potential spike number to match the opportunities or limitations offered by a site or season. Crop growth simulations can be used as tools to study, organize, and understand the physiological responses of crops to environmental and genetic conditions. The description of tillering in models varies greatly and depends on factors such as the purpose of the model and the understanding of tillering when the model was developed. The objective of this presentation is to provide examples of the importance of appropriate predictions of tillering to understand mechanisms cereals use to achieve yield, how descriptions of tillering differ among models, and how alternative depictions may enhance understanding of yield components and yield generation in small grains.