Dataset
Phenological Dynamics of Winter Wheat: Analyzing Winter Dormancy and Spring Growth Patterns
07/2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000008335
Abstract
Cold tolerance and dormancy break timing are key determinants of winter wheat adaptation, shaping canopy dynamics and grain yield stability. This study evaluated how variation in dormancy break interacts with canopy development and agronomic performance across two environments, Pullman, WA and Pendleton, OR, over two years (2017–2018). Growth dynamics were evaluated using canopy cover (CC) derived from RGB (visible light) and NIR (near-infrared) imagery, with cumulative growth quantified as area under the canopy curve (AUC) and slope used to estimate growth rate, speed, and time to full canopy closure. Weather data and agronomic traits were recorded. Logistic growth models were applied to characterize growth patterns and identify dormancy break timing across environments. This study shows that winter wheat yield is strongly influenced by the interaction of dormancy break timing and canopy development. In both Pullman and Pendleton-2018, grain yield showed a positive correlation with AUC, supporting the idea that prolonged canopy duration under favorable conditions contributes to higher grain yield. Logistic growth models grouped genotypes into distinct phenological classes, revealing that early dormancy break resulted in lower grain yield due to decreased cold tolerance and mistimed growth. Mid-season dormancy break showed the most favorable balance of grain yield and canopy traits. Late dormancy break only maintained grain yield when post-break canopy expansion was extremely rapid. Early canopy vigor occasionally supported grain yield under favorable conditions, but more sustained canopy growth and higher cumulative leaf area were more consistently linked with improved grain yield. Overall, optimizing wheat grain yield requires aligning dormancy break timing and canopy longevity with local environmental conditions, rather than relying solely on rapid early growth.
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Details
- Title
- Phenological Dynamics of Winter Wheat: Analyzing Winter Dormancy and Spring Growth Patterns
- Creators
- Adele Jamalzei (Author) - Washington State University, Department of Crop and Soil SciencesKaransher S. Sandhu (Author) - Bayer Crop ScienceAndrew Horgan (Author) - Texas A&M UniversityKimberly Garland-Campbell (Author) - Agricultural Research ServiceArron Hyrum Carter (Author) - Washington State University, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
- Academic Unit
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
- Identifiers
- 99901391906201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dataset