Durum Wheat Yield and Quality Affected by High Temperatures and Drought

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted across five experimental sites in Sicily, a region representative of durum wheat cultivation scenarios in hot-arid environments, has revealed significant impacts of high temperatures and drought on durum wheat yield and quality. The study monitored phenological, morpho-physiological, and agronomic parameters using physiological stress indices such as RWC, NDVI, and SPAD. The results showed a decline in yield and quality across all sites, with notable variability. High temperatures shortened the elongation-flowering and flowering-maturation stages, influencing the accumulation of growing degree days (GDD) in the more inland sites.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research aimed to monitor the effect of climatic variability on durum wheat phenology, morphology, physiology, and agronomy across five experimental sites in Sicily.
  • Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences in most parameters, with the exceptions of the number of spikelets per spike, harvest index, and test weight.
  • High temperatures and the absence of precipitation shortened the elongation-flowering and flowering-maturation stages, influencing the accumulation of growing degree days (GDD) in the more inland sites.
  • Plants showed reduced growth (average culm height: 41.5 cm), while yields ranged from 10.0 to 27.0 q ha-1.
  • Quality parameters, such as yellow pigment (22.9%-24.3%), protein content (13.6%-15.8%), and gluten content (8.8%-11.9%), were variable depending on environmental conditions.
  • Pearson's correlation analysis showed strong positive correlations between physiological parameters (SPAD, RWC, NDVI) and yield (r=0.8), between the yellow index and yield (r=0.8), and strong negative correlations between proteins, dry gluten, and yield (r).
  • The research concluded that durum wheat is drought-tolerant but affected by water and thermal stress, which causes spatial and temporal variability in production.
  • Monitoring cereal systems and adopting appropriate techniques could mitigate this vulnerability, supporting cereal farming businesses.

Statistics:

  • Yields ranged from 10.0 to 27.0 q ha-1.
  • Average culm height: 41.5 cm.
  • Quality parameters:

+ Yellow pigment: 22.9%-24.3%.

+ Protein content: 13.6%-15.8%.

+ Gluten content: 8.8%-11.9%.

Sources:

  • Physiological Stress Indices: A Valuable Tool to Mitigate the Impacts of High Temperatures and Drought on Durum Wheat Yield and Quality. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment, 2025, 4(2): n/a-n/a.
  • Department of Agricultural Researchers Provide New Study Findings on Sustainable Agriculture and Environment (Physiological Stress Indices: A Valuable Tool to Mitigate the Impacts of High Temperatures and Drought on Durum Wheat Yield and Quality). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. July 18, 2025; p 176.