Dataset from the study "Optimized protocol for high-throughput vernalization with speed breeding in winter wheat".

Wheat ranks third among cereal crops in terms of global production, and its demand is expected to increase as the human population grows. Plant breeding can increase crop production without burdening natural resources, and one way to accelerate genetic gain is through shortening breeding cycles with speed breeding. Speed breeding protocols for winter wheat have been adapted by adding a vernalization phase to existing spring wheat protocols. Although a protocol for the vernalization phase was previously developed, it was not tested for genotypes grown in the Midwest US that may have higher vernalization requirements. The transition from vegetative to reproductive stages in winter wheat depends mainly on the vernalization temperature, length of exposure and photoperiod, which determines the time needed to reach flowering. Optimizing vernalization under SB in a greenhouse setting is important for applications in breeding programs. Our objective was to develop a speed breeding protocol for winter wheat that meets the vernalization requirements of all genotypes and to evaluate the effects of vernalization temperature combined with sowing depth under both speed breeding and normal greenhouse growing conditions. A significant reduction in the time to flowering via speed breeding was achieved. Compared with normal vernalization, high-throughput vernalization adds ten days to the time to reach harvest. A shallow planting depth results in maturity five days earlier than a deep planting depth. A combination of speed breeding, shallow planting, and high-throughput vernalization will shorten the breeding cycle to 36 days per year under greenhouse conditions compared to normal growth condition, deep planting and normal vernalization.This system is suitable for genotypes with high vernalization requirements and can be combined with high-throughput systems.<br><br>