Heat and water stress affects phenology and reproductive processes of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana

The phenology (plant maturity time) and reproductive biology (seed production, seed mass, seed dormancy, and seed longevity) of four Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana biotypes were studied under 1) an ambient temperature treatment (23/12°C day/night) with 100% PAWC (plant available water content) (control); 2) an elevated temperature treatment (29/23°C day/night) with 100% PAWC (heat stress); 3) an ambient temperature treatment (23/12°C day/night) with 60% PAWC (water stress); and 4) an elevated temperature treatment with a 60% PAWC (combined heat and water stress). Seeds of the biotypes, Biloela 1 (−24.3547, 150.4977) and Biloela 2 (−24.3504, 150.4977) were collected from the northern zone, and Toobeah (−28.3679, 149.5219) and Jandowae (−26.6672, 151.0246) were collected from the southern zone of the Northern Grains Region (NGR; comprised parts of Queensland and all of New South Wales) of Australia. The study was conducted for two years at The University of Queensland Gatton campus.