RESEARCH REGARDING PRODUCTION POTENTIAL DEPENDING ON FLAG LEAF AREA AND SPIKE LENGTH, IN THREE SPECIES OF GRASSY CEREALS CULTIVATED ON THE CHERNOZEM OF CARACAL

Abstract

The flag leaf is very important in the life of cereals, as it contributes to the total amount of photoassimilates, to the grain filling process, and to the dry matter content of the grain at maturity, thus playing an essential role in total productivity.
This study presents some experimental results from the SCDA Caracal (Dolj County, Romania) regarding production potential depending on flag leaf area and spike length, in three species of grassy cereals (wheat, triticale and barley), cultivated on the chernozem soil (2022-2024). A three-factorial experience was set up in 3 x 3 x 4 randomized blocks. The influence of the studied factors (species, growing season, flag leaf area) and the interaction species x growing season x flag leaf area on potential production was interpreted. Potential production was greatly influenced by the flag leaf and spike area, both the flag leaf cut in half, the flag leaf cut completely and the spike cut ½ resulted in very significant production reductions. However, the lack of the flag leaf or its reduction did not lead to a major reduction in production, as has been recorded in some literature studies.