The effect of VRN1 genes on important agronomic traits in high‐yielding C anadian soft white spring wheat

For reproductive success, flowering time must synchronize with favourable environmental conditions. Vernalization genes play a major role in accelerating or delaying the time to flowering. We studied how different vernalization ( VRN 1 ) gene combinations alter days to flowering and maturity and consequently the effect on grain yield and other agronomic traits. The study focussed on the effect of the VRN 1 gene series ( V rn‐ A 1, V rn‐ B 1 and V rn‐ D 1 ) and their combinations. The V rn gene group V rn‐ A 1a, V rn‐ B 1, vrn‐ D 1 was the earliest to flower and mature, while V rn‐ A 1b, V rn‐B1, vrn‐ D 1 was the latest to flower. Spring wheat lines with vrn‐ A 1, V rn‐ B 1, V rn‐ D 1 were the highest yielding and matured at a similar time as those having vernalization genes V rn‐ A 1a, V rn‐ B 1 and V rn‐ D 1 . The findings of this study suggest that the presence of V rn‐ D 1 has a direct or indirect role in producing higher grain yield. We therefore suggest the introduction of V rn‐ D 1 allele into higher‐yielding classes within C anadian spring wheat germplasm.