Effects of the tiller-inhibition gene tin were quantified in 19 pairs of wheat lines near-isogenic for tin, and in up to 28 water-limited environments.
G (‘Tin’) × E interactions were significant for grain yield, total biomass, spike number, grains/spike, and number of grains/m2.
Reduced-tillering plasticity was associated with increased plasticity in numbers of grains/spike and, to a lesser extent, grain weight.
The marginal yield response to increases in grains/m² was greater in tin-containing lines, i.e. greater plasticity in grains/spike and grain weight can compensate for reduced spike numbers
The hypothesis of a general yield advantage of tin-containing lines in more severe water-stress environment-types was not confirmed.