Evaluating bread wheat varietal responses to late-spring frost conditions
Data files
May 04, 2025 version files 3.87 KB
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_Khandani_etal.csv
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README.md
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Abstract
This study investigates the impact of late-spring Frost (LSF) stress on wheat (Triticum aestivum) during critical reproductive stages. A factorial experiment was conducted with three wheat genotypes ('Roshan', 'Falat', and 'Superhead'), three growth stages (pollen development, spike emergence, and pollination), and three stress levels (normal, one-day stress, and four-day stress) in a completely randomized design with nine replications. Analysis of variance and mean comparison (LSD method) showed that wheat varieties responded differently to growth stages and stress durations, with 'Roshan' being more sensitive and 'Superhead' more adaptable. Proline accumulation and increased photosynthetic pigment levels were identified as stress resistance mechanisms, though they did not fully prevent yield reductions. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) explained 75.42% of the variation, showing negative correlations between yield-related traits (grain number and grain weight) and the first component, while chlorophylls, carotenoids, and proline correlated positively. These results emphasize the importance of understanding varietal differences in LSF tolerance and the need for phenotyping and genetic improvements to develop cold-tolerant wheat varieties. The findings highlight the vulnerability of reproductive stages and the importance of targeted breeding strategies to enhance crop resilience and ensure yield stability in climates affected by LSFs.
[Access this dataset on Dryad](Dataset DOI link)
This dataset originates from a factorial experiment assessing the impact of late-spring frost (LSF) stress on reproductive traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum). The experiment investigated physiological and yield-related responses in three wheat genotypes—'Roshan', 'Falat', and 'Superhead'—when subjected to LSF during three critical growth stages: pollen development, spike emergence, and pollination. Frost stress was applied at two intensities: one-day LSF and four-day LSF, alongside a no-stress control group. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used with nine replicates per treatment. The resulting data provide insights into how reproductive-stage frost affects key physiological traits and yield components.
Description of the data and file structure
The dataset comprises mean values calculated from nine replicates for each treatment group (genotype × stage × frost level). Seven traits were measured:
- Grain weight per main spike (g)
- Number of grains per main spike
- Chlorophyll a (mg/g)
- Chlorophyll b (mg/g)
- Total chlorophyll (mg/g)
- Carotenoid (mg/g)
- Proline (nmol/mg)
Each physiological trait was assessed using standard field and laboratory protocols. The chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations are expressed in milligrams per gram fresh weight (mg/g FW), while grain-related traits are in grams per spike and number per spike.
There are no missing data codes used in this summary dataset. Additional raw replicate-level data may be available upon request.
Code/Software
No code is included with this dataset. However, standard data processing and statistical analysis were conducted using common packages in R and Excel. Users wishing to replicate the analyses should contact the corresponding author for details on analysis pipelines and raw data access.