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Effects of varying nitrogen supply at different growth stages on nitrogen uptake and nitrogen partitioning efficiency in two wheat cultivars

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Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of N availability upon N uptake and nitrogen partitioning efficiency and its relationship with %N in the grain in two wheat cultivars, differing in their grain protein content.

Plants were grown in a nutrient solution with 2 nitrogen levels, 200 ppm (H) and 40 ppm (L). Four treatments were imposed: HH, HL, LH and LL. Nutrient solution exchange was done at maximum floret number. Plants were harvested at terminal spikelet stage, maximum floret number, 10 days after anthesis and maturity.

Nitrogen content, N uptake and N distribution at maturity were significantly affected by N supply. Nitrogen content in the grain was similar in both cultivars, but varied significantly between treatments and decreased as follows: LH; HH; LL and HL. In both cultivars a low leaf %N was observed in HL 10 days after anthesis, which suggest early N utilization and its premature depletion, resulting in a low %N in the grain. Total %N in the plant, for both cultivars was higher in HH and LH than other treatments. When N availability was high during the whole crop cycle (HH), N distribution to the ear was improved.

It is concluded that late N availability is necessary to achieve high %N in the grain. On the other hand if high and initial N availability is not maintained, %N in the grain decreased in a significant way.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Catedra de Cerealicultura, Argentina

    S. J. Sarandon (Researcher from CIC)

  2. Facultad de Agronomia, Instituto de Fisiologia Vegetal, U.N.L.P. C.C. 31. (1900), La Plata, Argentina

    D. O. Caldiz (Researcher from CONICET)

Authors
  1. S. J. Sarandon
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  2. D. O. Caldiz
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Sarandon, S.J., Caldiz, D.O. Effects of varying nitrogen supply at different growth stages on nitrogen uptake and nitrogen partitioning efficiency in two wheat cultivars. Fertilizer Research 22, 21–27 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054803

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