Rapid determination of single-stalk and population lodging resistance strengths and an assessment of the stem lodging wind speeds for winter wheat

Lodging is a major limiting factor on wheat production worldwide but due to experimental restrictions, there is little accurate information on wheat single-stalk lodging resistance strength, particularly at the population level. The single-stalk and population lodging resistance strength of 10 winter wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum L.) were measured in the field between 2010 and 2012 using a crop lodging resistance electronic measuring device and, based on the population lodging resistance strength, wind speed and wind pressure theory, the population stem lodging wind speed for each wheat variety was estimated. The single-stalk lodging resistance strength was 2.50–10.79 g-force stalk−1; the population lodging resistance strength was 20.35–65.06 N m−1 and the population stem lodging wind speed was 11.93–24.69 m s−1 depending on variety and the growth stage. These results were consistent with general observations taken in the field and suggest that the method used in this study for population lodging resistance measurement and lodging wind speed evaluation may be suitable for the rapid identification of wheat variety lodging resistance in the field.

► We developed a new measuring method for single-stalk, population lodging resistance of wheat.
► The single-stalk, population lodging resistance of 10 wheat varieties was measured.
► Then the maximum wind resistance speed of these wheat was estimated.
► The estimated results are consistent with the observations in the field.