Elucidation of traits that could reduce the susceptibility of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to reproductive stage frost damage

Wheat is most susceptible to frost damage after the spike emergence. Differences in the susceptibility of wheat cultivars to frost events were evaluated. Patterns of individual grain set, grain weight, yield components and spike morphology, were used to understand cultivar susceptibility to frost damage in field studies. A diesel heater system was used to prevent freezing temperatures in some plots (frost controls) to compare with changes in individual grain set and weight in ambient conditions with frosts. Knowledge of impacts of frost on wheat can be used to develop strategies to in future breed more resilient wheats.