Dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and remobilization in wheat as affected by genotype and irrigation

• Published in: Journal of plant nutrition 2017-10, Vol.40 (16), p.2279-2289
• Main Authors: Zhang, Yinghua, Xue, Qingwu, Li, Jinpeng, Huang, Jing, Yao, Dexiu, Wang, Zhimin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Crop yield; Cultivars; Dry matter; Elongation; genotypic variation; Grain; Irrigation; Leaves; Nitrogen; Photosynthesis; Senescence; Triticum aestivum; Wheat; Winter wheat
• ISSN: 0190-4167; 1532-4087
• DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2016.1264593

To investigate the genotypic differences of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) accumulation and remobilization as well as the photosynthetic characteristics of flag leaf during grain filling under water-limited conditions, nine winter wheat cultivars were planted under two irrigation treatments including W0 (no irrigation applied during spring) and W2 (1500 m 3 ha −1 applied 50% at stem elongation and 50% at anthesis). Results showed that cultivar and irrigation significantly affected the accumulation and remobilization of DM and N as well as the photosynthetic characteristics of flag leaf. No irrigation in spring on average decreased the photosynthetic rate of flag leaf, accelerated leaf senescence, and consequently decreased the accumulation of DM and N, but increased the ear distribution ratio and the remobilization and contribution of DM and N in leaf and stem to grain. Maintaining high photosynthetic activity and promoting DM and N distribution in ear and the remobilization of DM and N in leaf and stem may lead to higher grain filling rate and lower yield loss under water-limited conditions in North China Plain.