| Abstract: | Summary Yield of wheat has risen dramatically and world-wide in the last two decades, in part because of the widespread introduction of Rht genes that reduce the length of tillers of wheat. We review the physiological consequences of incorporating reduced height genes into wheat. The Rht1 or Rht2 genes modulate the morphology and physiology of wheat in a manner that involves compensation among several physiological processes. For instance, Rht genes decrease leaf area, but photosynthesis per unit area increases, so biomass accumulation is rarely altered. Although Rht genes increase leaf permeability to water vapor, plant water status changes in compensation to minimize differences in water use efficiency. Perhaps due to less competition for carbohydrate during stem elongation, semidwarf wheat has greater harvest index than tall wheat at maturity. Although tall wheat has a greater weight per kernel at maturity, this does not completely compensate for greater grain number per spike in semidwarf wheat. The compensation that leads to greater yield in semidwarf wheat appears to fail in Rht1Rht2 or Rht3 dwarf wheat. Either specific photosynthesis does not completely compensate for decreased area per leaf, or the reduction in plant height retards canopy closure and efficient interception of solar radiation, resulting in lower biomass and yield of dwarf wheat. Drought stress reduces yield and harvest index of dwarf wheat more than tall wheat. Rht genes have insignificant effects on rate of development or winter hardiness. The effects of Rht genes on physiology appear to be similar in winter, spring and durum wheat. |
