Wheat Diseases and Pests - Wheat Doctor - CIMMYT

Heat Stress
Symptoms: The effects of high temperatures often
are associated with the effects of moisture stress,
and the symptoms are difficult to separate (103).
Moderately high temperatures increase the rate of
plant development and reduce its rate of growth.
The number and formation of spikelets and florets,
as well as grain filling, are reduced, resulting in
lower yields. The late-boot and seed-set stages
are especially vulnerable and, in many areas, high
temperatures are more likely to occur during these
later stages of plant development. Very high
temperatures will kill plants by denaturing
proteins.
Importance: In many areas, the flowering to
maturity period in wheat coincides with the
beginning of hot, dry weather. If desiccating
winds occur along with high temperatures, major
reductions in yield may be experienced.