The identification of growth stages in winter wheat with reference to the application of growth-regulator herbicides

The development of several varieties of winter wheat {Triticum aestivum) in early spring was studied in order to relate the progress of apical differentiation to easily measured external characters and so provide a guide to the correct timing of herbicide applications. Leaf sheath lengths were more closely related to apical development than were tiller or leaf numbers. Spikelet differentiation occurred when the longest sheaths were c. 5 cm tall. Application of a growth regulator herbicide before this stage of development caused ear deformities in the crop at harvest. A measure of leaf sheath length might, therefore, replace the ambiguous criteria presently used to judge the stages of winter wheat most tolerant of herbicides.