Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Nitrogen Translocation in Wheat Plants Under Soil Water Deficit

  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Accumulation and translocation of nitrogen (N) in the vegetative organs and grains of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are important processes in determining yield and quality. The present study was conducted to compare the effects of water deficit and cultivars (cv. Lumai 21 and Jinan 17) on N translocation from vegetative organs to grains in a mobile rain-shelter using 15N-labeled ammonium sulfate fertilizer. The N translocation amounts (defined as the difference between the N amount at anthesis and the N amount at maturity for a vegetative organ) in leaves were greatest for the two cultivars, followed by glumes, stems, and sheaths, respectively. The N translocation ratio (defined as the ratio of the translocation amount to N amount at anthesis) in total above-ground parts were greater for Lumai 21 (0.65 g g−1 DW) than for Jinan 17 (0.60 g g−1 DW), and Lumai 21 plants had a higher N translocation ratio for the N derived from fertilizers. The N contribution (defined as the ratio of the translocation amount to grain N amount) of total vegetative parts aboveground to grain N ranged from 0.50 to 0.77 g g−1 DW, and that of the leaf was the greatest. The results showed that water deficit remarkably increased the N translocation ratio derived from soil and the contributions of N in various vegetative organs to grain N. It is suggested that water deficit would weaken the availability of fertilizer N but enhance the remobilization of prestored N to the grains.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • S C Allen S Jose P K R Nair B J Brecke C L Ramsey (2004) ArticleTitleCompetition for 15N-labeled fertilizer in a pecan (Carya illinoensis K. Koch)-cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) alley cropping system in the southern United States Plant Soil 263 151–164 Occurrence Handle10.1023/B:PLSO.0000047732.95283.ac Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXpsF2lu7g%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • S K Arndt W Wanek (2002) ArticleTitleUse of decreasing foliar carbon isotope discrimination during water limitation as a carbon tracer to study whole plant carbon allocation Plant Cell Environ. 25 609–616 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-3040.2002.00838.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XktlertL4%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • S Asseng A F Herwaarden Particlevan (2003) ArticleTitleAnalysis of the benefits to wheat yield from assimilates stored prior to grain filling in a range of environments Plant Soil 256 217–229 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1026231904221 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXot1ClsLY%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • B J Atwell I R P Fillery K J McInnes A J M Smucker (2002) ArticleTitleThe fate of carbon and fertiliser nitrogen when dryland wheat is grown in monoliths of duplex soil Plant Soil 241 259–269 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1016141800033 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XltV2jsbs%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J S Barber R S Jessop (1987) ArticleTitleFactors affecting yield and quality in irrigated wheat J. Agric. Sci. 109 19–26

    Google Scholar 

  • A J Barneix R A Arnozis M R Guitman (1992) ArticleTitleThe regulation of nitrogen accumulation in the grain of wheat plants (Triticum eastivum L.) Physiol. Plant. 86 609–615 Occurrence Handle10.1034/j.1399-3054.1992.860416.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXnslWltg%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C Carranca A Varennes Particlede D E Rolston (1999) ArticleTitleVariation in N-recovery of winter wheat under Mediterranean conditions studied with 15N-labelled fertilizers Eur J Agron 11 145–155 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S1161-0301(99)00027-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Flowers R Weisz R Heiniger D Dsmond C Crozior (2004) ArticleTitleIn-season optimization and site-specific nitrogen management for soft red winter wheat Agron. J. 96 124–134

    Google Scholar 

  • M R Guitman R A Arnozis A J Barneix (1991) ArticleTitleEffect of souce–sink relations and nitrogen nutrition on senescence and N remobilization in the flag leaf of wheat Physiol. Plant. 82 278–284 Occurrence Handle10.1034/j.1399-3054.1991.820222.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXkvFWhtr0%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • B Hirel B Andrieu M-H Valadier S Renard I Quilleré M Chelle B Pommel C Fournier J-L Drouet (2005) ArticleTitlePhysiology of maize II: Identification of physiological marker representative of the nitrogen status of maize (Zea mays) leaves during grain filling Physiol. Plant. 124 178–188 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXlt1yntr4%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • P J Hocking M Stapper (2001) ArticleTitleEffects of sowing time and nitrogen fertiliser on canola and wheat, and nitrogen fertiliser on Indian mustard. II. Nitrogen concentrations, N accumulation, and N fertiliser use efficiency Aust. J. Agric. Res. 52 635–644

    Google Scholar 

  • H Høgh-Jensen J K Schjoerring (2000) ArticleTitleBelow-ground nitrogen transfer between different grassland species: Direct quantification by 15N leaf feeding compared with indirect dilution of soil 15N Plant Soil 227 171–183 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1026535401773

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S Z Kang W J Shi H X Cao J H Zhang (2002) ArticleTitleAlternate watering in soil vertical profile improved water use efficiency of maize (Zea mays) Field Crops Res. 77 31–41 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0378-4290(02)00047-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R A Kraimer W C Lindemann E A Herrera (2001) ArticleTitleDistribution of 15N-labeled fertilizer applied to pecan: A case study Hort. Sci. 36 308–312 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjtlGqtrc%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H M Lam K T Coschigano I C Oliveira R Melo-Oliveira G M Coruzzi (1996) ArticleTitleThe molecular-genetics of nitrogen assimilation into amino acids in higher plants Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 47 569–593 Occurrence Handle10.1146/annurev.arplant.47.1.569 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XjtlWgt74%3D Occurrence Handle15012301

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • H Lambers R J Simpson V C Beilharz M J Dalling (1982) ArticleTitleGrowth and translocation of C and N in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown with a split root system Physiol. Plant. 56 421–429 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3sXjtFGguw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li F, Kang S, Zhang J and Cohen S 2003 Effects of atmospheric CO2 enrichment, water status and applied nitrogen on waterand nitrogen-use efficiencies of wheat. Plant Soil, 279–289.

  • M T Liao I R P Fillery J A Palta (2004) ArticleTitleEarly vigorous growth is a major factor influencing nitrogen uptake in wheat Func. Plant Biol. 31 121–129 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhsl2gtrk%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • T Mae (1997) ArticleTitlePhysiological nitrogen efficiency in rice: nitrogen utilization, photosynthesis, and yield potential Plant Soil 196 201–210 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1004293706242 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXotVOitbo%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C Masclaux-Daubresse M H Valadier E Carrayol M Reisdorf-Cren B Hirel (2002) ArticleTitleDiurnal changes in the expression of glutamate dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase are involved in the C/N balance of tobacco source leaves Plant Cell Environ. 25 1451–1462 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-3040.2002.00925.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XovFWhtbo%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • G H Mi J A Liu F J Chen F S Zhang Z L Cui X S Liu (2003) ArticleTitleNitrogen uptake and remobilization in maize hybrids differing in leaf senescence J. Plant Nutr. 26 237–247 Occurrence Handle10.1081/PLN-120016507 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXhtF2mt7c%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • K Miezan E G Heyne K F Finney (1977) ArticleTitleGenetic and environmental effects on the grain protein in wheat Crop Sci. 17 591–593

    Google Scholar 

  • M E Nicolas R J Simpson H Lambers (1985) ArticleTitleEffects of drought on partitioning of nitrogen in two wheat varieties differing in drought-tolerance Ann. Bot. 55 743–754

    Google Scholar 

  • R J Norman D Guindo B R Wells J R Wilson (1992) ArticleTitleSeasonal accumulation and partition of nitrogen-15 in rice Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 56 1521–1527

    Google Scholar 

  • D A Ntanos S D Koutroubas (2002) ArticleTitleDry matter and N accumulation and translocation for Indica and Japonica rice Mediterranean conditions Field Crops Res. 74 93–101 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0378-4290(01)00203-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J A Palta T Kobata N C Turner I R Fillery (1994) ArticleTitleRemobilization of carbon and nitrogen in wheat as influenced by postanthesis water deficit Crop Sci. 34 118–124

    Google Scholar 

  • J F Panozzo H A Eagles (1999) ArticleTitleRate and duration of grain filling and grain nitrogen accumulation of wheat cultivars grown in different environments Aust. J. Agric. Res. 50 1007–1015

    Google Scholar 

  • D Papakosta A A Gagianas (1991) ArticleTitleNitrogen and dry matter accumulation, remobilization, and losses for Mediterranean wheat during grain filling Agron. J. 83 864–870 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK38XktVemtQ%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • P C Pheloung K H M Siddique (1991) ArticleTitleContribution of stem dry matter to grain yield in wheat cultivars Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 18 53–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Z Plaut B J Butow C S Blumenthal C W Wrigley (2004) ArticleTitleTransport of dry matter into developing wheat kernels and its contribution to grain yield under post-anthesis water deficit and elevated temperature Field Crops Res. 86 185–198 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.fcr.2003.08.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Qin P Stamp W Richner (2004) ArticleTitleImpact of tillage on root systems of winter wheat Agron. J. 96 1523–1530

    Google Scholar 

  • N G Seligman T R Sinclair (1995) ArticleTitleGlobal environment change and simulated forage quality of wheat II. Water and nitrogen stress Field Crops Res. 40 29–37 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0378-4290(94)00092-Q

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J E Sheehy M Mnzava K G Cassman P L Mitchell P Pablico R P Robles A Ferrer (2004a) ArticleTitleUptake of nitrogen by rice studied with a 15N point-placement technique Plant Soil 259 259–265 Occurrence Handle10.1023/B:PLSO.0000020968.84809.38 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXisVWltLw%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J E Sheehy M Mnzava K G Cassman P L Mitchell P Pablico R P Robles H P Samonte J S Lales A B Ferre (2004b) ArticleTitleTemporal origin of nitrogen in the grain of irrigated rice in the dry season: the outcome of uptake, cycling, senescence and competition studied using a 15N-point placement technique Field Crops Res. 89 337–348 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.fcr.2004.02.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R J Simpson H Lambers M J Dalling (1982) ArticleTitleKinetin application to roots and its effect on uptake, translocation and distribution of nitrogen in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown with a split root system Physiol. Plant 56 430–435 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3sXjtFKguw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • T R Sinclair P J Pinter B A Kimball F J Adamsen R L LaMorte G W Wall D J Hunsaker N Adam T J Brook R L Garcia T Thompson S Leavitt A Mattias (2000) ArticleTitleLeaf nitrogen concentration of wheat subjected to elevated [CO2] and either water or N deficits Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 79 53–60 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXitVSlt7o%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • K D Subedi B L Ma (2005) ArticleTitleEffects of N-deficiency and timing of N supply on the recovery and distribution of labeled 15N in contrasting maize hybrids Plant Soil 273 189–202 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s11104-004-7540-7 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXks1OjsLk%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Z Y Sun B W Han S L Liu H F Wang R F Gao (1996) ArticleTitleAbsorption and redistribution of nitrogen during grain-filling period of wheat and their regulation by 6-benzylaminopurine Acta Phytophysiol. Sinica 22 258–264 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXkt1Gku7o%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • V K Trapeznikov II Ivanov G R Kudoyarova (2003) ArticleTitleEffect of heterogeneous distribution of nutrients on root growth, ABA content and drought resistance of wheat plants Plant Soil 252 207–214 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1024734310214 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXlsVKntb8%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • T Vamerali M Saccomani S Bona G Mosca M Guarise A Gani (2003) ArticleTitleA comparison of root characteristics in relation to nutrient and water stress in two maize hybrids Plant Soil 255 157–167 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXotV2js7k%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Z H, Tian X H and Li S X 2001 Nitrogen losses from winter wheat plant by NH3 in late growing stage. Acta Agron. Sinica , 1–6.

  • I F Wardlaw (1971) ArticleTitleThe early stage of grain development in wheat: Response to water stress in a single variety Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 24 1047–1055

    Google Scholar 

  • W W Wilhelm G S McMaster D M Harrell (2002) ArticleTitleNitrogen and dry matter distribution by culm and leaf position at two stages of vegetative growth in winter wheat Agron. J. 94 1078–1086

    Google Scholar 

  • Z Z Xu G S Zhou (2005) ArticleTitleEffects of water stress and high nocturnal temperature on photosynthesis and nitrogen level of a perennial grass Leymus chinensis Plant Soil 269 131–139 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s11104-004-0397-y Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXks1Ojtbg%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Z Z Xu Z Z Yu Y L Zhang (2003) ArticleTitleThe effects of soil moisture on grain starch synthesis and accumulation of winter wheat Acta Agron. Sininica 19 595–603

    Google Scholar 

  • J Yang J Zhang Z Wang Q Zhu L Liu (2001a) ArticleTitleWater deficit induced senescence and its relationship to the remobilization of pre-stored carbon in wheat during grain filling Agron. J. 93 196–206 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXitl2lsrw%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J Yang J Zhang Z Wang Q Zhu W Wang (2001b) ArticleTitleHormonal changes in the grain of rice subjected to water stress during filling Plant Physiol. 127 315–323 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXmvFCrtb8%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Z Y Yuan L H Li X G Han J H Huang G M Jiang S Q Wan (2005) ArticleTitleSoil characteristics and nitrogen resorption in Stipa krylovii native to northern China Plant Soil 273 257–268 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s11104-004-7941-7 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXks1Ojsbw%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • S Zanetti U A Hartwig C Kessel Particlevan A Lüscher T Hebeisen M Frehner B U Fischer G R Hendrey H Blum J Nösberger (1997) ArticleTitleDoes nitrogen nutrition restrict the CO2 response of fertile grassland lacking legumes Oecologia 112 17–25 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004420050278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J Zhang X Sui B Li B Su J Li D Zhou (1998) ArticleTitleAn improved water-use efficiency for winter wheat grown under reduced irrigation Field Crops Res. 59 91–98 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0378-4290(98)00104-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory Wheat Physiology and Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China

    Zhen-Zhu Xu, Zhen-Wen Yu & Dong Wang

  2. Laboratory of Quantitative Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing, 100093, China

    Zhen-Zhu Xu

Authors
  1. Zhen-Zhu Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zhen-Wen Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dong Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhen-Zhu Xu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Xu, ZZ., Yu, ZW. & Wang, D. Nitrogen Translocation in Wheat Plants Under Soil Water Deficit. Plant Soil 280, 291–303 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-005-3276-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-005-3276-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation