The relationship between lodging and plant height in a diverse wheat population

We examined the genetic variation for lodging tolerance in different plant height groups, within a diverse population of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes (n = 14 0). Lodging was artificially induced by dragging a weighted apparatus across plots twice during the season at early and late milk stages. Grain yield was negatively correlated with lodging, while lodging scores were positively correlated with plant height. Although plant height appeared to be the major contributor to lodging tolerance, some variation was also observed in taller plants. This suggests that genetic gain in lodging tolerance can be obtained, to some extent, independent of plant height. Key words: Plant height, lodging tolerance, Triticum aestivum L., CIMMYT, Canada