Water-Saving Evaluation of Jingmai Series Hybrid Wheat Varieties in China

Abstract

Wheat hybrids are recognized for their superior stress tolerance and stable yields, particularly excelling over conventional varieties under water stress conditions. This study evaluated two Jingmai series winter wheat hybrids across various ecological regions, employing three spring restricted irrigation regimes. The analysis focused on their population structure, leaf quality, and yield components in comparison to conventional wheat. Results indicated that the hybrids exhibited exceptional drought resistance and significantly higher yields under no spring irrigation (W0), with an average water-saving index of 1.514, demonstrating excellent water conservation capabilities. Yield variations were pronounced between single jointing irrigation (W1) and normal jointing plus flowering irrigation (W2). Under W0, hybrid wheat produced 13.9% and 15.8% more stems at the raising and jointing stages, respectively, and displayed significantly higher tiller ear-bearing rate across all three irrigation treatments. These findings confirm the hybrids’ remarkable water-saving and drought-resistant characteristics; a high tiller ear-bearing rate is essential for water conservation and high yield, with ear number serving as a critical factor for achieving stable high yields. Implementing moderate irrigation to enhance tillering and heading can establish an optimal population, effectively balancing water conservation and high-yield production in hybrid wheat.