Effect of Rht Alleles on the Tolerance of Wheat Grain Set to High Temperature and Drought Stress During Booting and Anthesis

Factorial pot experiments were conducted to compare the responses of GA‐sensitive and GA‐insensitive reduced height (Rht) alleles in wheat for susceptibility to heat and drought stress during booting and anthesis. Grain set (grains/spikelet) of near‐isogenic lines (NILs) was assessed following three day transfers to controlled environments imposing day temperatures (t) from 20 to 40 °C. Transfers were during booting and/or anthesis and pots maintained at field capacity (FC) or had water withheld. Logistic responses (y = c/1+e‐b(t ‐m)) described declining grain set with increasing t, and t5 was that fitted to give a 5 % reduction in grain set. Averaged over NIL, t5 for anthesis at FC was 31.7 ± 0.47 °C (S.E.M., 26 d.f.). Drought at anthesis reduced t5 by