The effects of fungicides on Hagberg falling number and blackpoint in winter wheat

Fungicides applied at flag leaf emergence and again at ear emergence to winter wheat were compared in field experiments between 1998 and 2000. Green area of the flag leaf, grain moisture content (GMC) and mean grain weight (MGW) were assessed weekly during grain filling and senescence. Fungicide-mediated increases in green flag leaf area duration (GFLAD) were associated with increases in GMC and MGW, with interactions between cultivars and years. Hagberg falling number (HFN) was negatively associated with GMC and MGW, although cultivar affected the relationships. Blackpoint was strongly influenced by genotype and closely and positively associated with GMC and MGW in some cultivars. Canopy temperatures were lower in treatments with longer GFLAD and positively correlated with HFN in 1998, but not in 1999 or 2000. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.