Thermal responses of Durum wheat Triticum durum to early water stress. Consequence on leaf and flower development.

Drought can alter stem apex temperature and plant phenological development and it can then have an effect on the duration of the durum wheat stages. Thermal responses of plants to water stress are tentatively analysed as regards microclimate conditions by applying three different water treatments. Apex temperature measurements showed that they are related to radiation and that acceleration of apex development could be related to their increase.