Comparison of Yield Components and Agronomic Characteristics of Four Winter Wheat Varieties Differing in Plant Height1

Abstract Four hard red winter wheat varieties differing in plant height were compared in a 4‐year field study conducted at locations in Nebraska and Colorado. Yield, spike number, number of kernels per spike, kernel weight, and 11 other agronomic characteristics were studied. The short‐statured varieties, ‘C.I. 13678’ and ‘C.I. 13677,’ were more productive on the average than the taller varieties, ‘Pawnee’ and ‘Cheyenne.’ C.I. 13678, which was highest‐yielding, consistently produced more kernels per spike, but its kernel weight and spike number were less than the other varieties. C.I. 13677, the variety with the shortest straw, produced lighter‐weight grain and fewer spikes than Pawnee and Cheyenne. The high number of kernels per spike of C.I. 13678 was associated with more spikelets per spike and more kernels per spikelet than were produced by the other varieties. C.I. 13677 had fewer spikelets but more kernels per spikelet than the taller varieties. Although their flag leaves were shorter than Pawnee, the greater leaf width of C.I. 13678 and C.I. 13677 produced total flag leaf area equal to, or greater than, Pawnee. Yield and yield component relationships among the varieties studied are discussed.