Female flowering traits influencing hybrid grain production in wheat

To better understand how to produce hybrid wheat grains more efficiently, we examined the impact of synchronized flowering between female (male-sterile) lines and their male cross-pollinator lines, as well as the effect of flowering duration on hybrid grain production. Over a three-year field trial, we found that synchronization of flowering times with the longest possible overlap had the most significant positive effect on hybrid grain production. However, even with adequate spatial and temporal synchronization, some female lines still produced fewer hybrid grains than others, indicating genetic differences in female flower receptivity. To assess female receptivity more accurately, we developed a new phenotyping scale for male-sterile wheat flowers, which provides the floral foundation for effective cross-pollination. Our field and greenhouse trials showed that the better-performing female lines remained in the pollen-receptive phase for a longer period., FieldExp:
Whole plots were phenotyped in the field trial. The yield was recorded by harvesting with a plot combine harvester. Non-sterile plots were not included in the calculation. The Nick-index values were calculated afterward.
GreenhouseExp:
The length of floret 1 and 2 was determined using a Stemi 2000 microscope. The stages were visually phenotyped., , # Female flowering traits influencing hybrid grain production in wheat

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dv41ns27q](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dv41ns27q)

## Description of the data and file structure

FieldExp:

Data are presented for flowering, and other hybrid production-related traits on 4 winter wheat female lines, grown during 3 growth seasons on the field.

GreenhouseExp:

Data are presented for ovary length and Waddington Stage on 2 winter wheat female lines, grown in controlled conditions (greenhouse).

### Files and variables

#### File: FieldExp.csv

**Description:** 

##### Variables

* Plot: unique number for this plot
* Material: Genotype
* HD: Heading date in days after January 1st
* FLS: Flowering start in days after January 1st
* FLP: Flowering peak in days after January 1st (in 2020 this column represents the trait \"SO\" = \"Second Opening\")
* FLE: Flowering end in days after January 1st
* PH: Plant height in cm
* Year: Year of trial
* yield: yield in gram per m²
* Rep:...