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Spikelet Sterility of Wheat in Farmer's Field in Northwest Bangladesh

M. SAIFUZZAMAN
Wheat Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh

QUAZI ABDUL FATTAH2 AND
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.

M. SHAHIDUL ISLAM
BARI, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

In recent decades, sporadic and/or massive occurrence of spikelet sterility in wheat has been found in almost all the wheat growing areas of Bangladesh, especially in northwest Bangladesh where spikelet sterility causes yield reductions considerably. Investigations were carried out to understand the nature and probable cause(s) regarding the spikelet sterility problem in Bangladesh. Observations included varieties of wheat, sowing dates, prevailing weather and also soil boron (B) status in farmer's field of the sterility prone areas in northwest Bangladesh. It was found that the varieties Aghrani, Akbar and Kanchan had higher percentage of spikelet sterility than Sonalika. Seven days earlier sown wheat crops had more spikelet sterility, than seven days later sown ones, and it indicated the influence of environment and/or other cause(s) on spikelet sterility; but did not indicate the direct influence of soil boron, because, no remarkable difference of soil B status existed between the sterility affected and non-affected farmer's field in those areas.

Keywords: Wheat, Spikelet sterility, Grain set index, Bangladesh

Location: Rangpur and Dinajpur districts

Start Date: 00-00-1989

End Date: 00-00-1990

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Wheat

Objectives:

The aim of this study is to find out the probable cause(s) of spikelet sterility in wheat in Bangladesh, especially in northwest Bangladesh.

Methodology:

During 1989-'90 growing season, observations at farmer’s field of the sterility affected areas of greater Rangpur and Dinajpur districts were carried out at the maturity stage of four wheat varieties such as Sonalika, Aghrani, Akbar and Kanchan. During this study, 20 wheat spikes, irrespective of varieties and sowing dates, were collected from each visited spot of sterility affected and non affected farmer fields. Soil samples at a depth of 0 - 20 cm were also collected from the same visited fields for soil boron analysis. Sterility and grain set index (GSI) percentage were determined as per Rerkasem (1990) as shown below: Sterility (%)= (20 GS)/20 X 100, GSI (%) = GS/20 X 100, where 20 is considered as constant grain sets (GS) number and GS is the actual grain sets in the basal two florets of 10 central (5th to 14th) spikelet of each spike. Hot water soluble (hws) and/or available soil boron in ppm was determined by hot water extracting using Azomethine-H colour development reagent (Wolf 1974, Odom 1980). Quantification is performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results of soil boron content have been presented in Fig. 3. Daily maximum and minimum air temperature, relative humidity, sunshine hour and rainfall data were collected from Rangpur agro-metrology station along with the important crop developmental stages.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Bot. 37(2): 155-160, 2008 (December)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In Bangladesh almost all of the wheat crops are grown under irrigated condition and there is almost very little scope of spikelet sterility due to water stress; but there is some probability of mild waterlogging and/or excess moisture in the soil due to irrigation plus rains concurrently at booting to heading stages and that can cause spikelet sterility.

Knowledge Management: Journal