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Physiological traits and expression profile of genes associated with nitrogen and phosphorous use efficiency in wheat

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Abstract

Background

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) play a very important role in the growth and development of wheat as well as major constituents of biological membranes. To meet the plant’s nutritional demand these nutrients are applied in the form of fertilizers. But the plant can utilize only half of the applied fertilizer whereas the rest is lost through surface runoff, leaching and volatilization. Thus, to overcome the N/P loss we need to elucidate the molecular mechanism behind the N/P uptake.

Methods

In our study, we used DBW16 (low NUE), and WH147 (high NUE) wheat genotypes under different doses of N, whereas HD2967 (low PUE) and WH1100 (high PUE) genotypes were studied under different doses of P. To check the effect of different doses of N/P, the physiological parameters like total chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, N/P content, and N/PUE of these genotypes were calculated. In addition, gene expression of various genes involved in N uptake, utilization, and acquisition such as Nitrite reductase (NiR), Nitrate transporter 1/Peptide transporter family (NPF2.4/2.5), Nitrate transporter (NRT1) and NIN Like Protein (NLP) and induced phosphate starvation (IPS), Phosphate Transporter (PHT1.7) and Phosphate 2 (PHO2) acquisition was studied by quantitative real-time PCR.

Results

Statistical analysis revealed a lower percent reduction in TCC, NPR, and N/P content in N/P efficient wheat genotypes (WH147 & WH1100). A significant increase in relative fold expression of genes under low N/P concentration was observed in N/P efficient genotypes as compared to N/P deficient genotypes.

Conclusion

Significant differences in physiological data and gene expression among N/ P efficient and deficient wheat genotypes could be useful for future improvement of N/P use efficiency.

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Abbreviations

Ct:

Threshold cycle

DMSO:

Dimethyl sulphoxide

GPP:

Grain yield per plant

IPS:

induced phosphate starvation

NiR:

Nitrate reductase

NLP:

NIN Like protein

NO3− :

Nitrate

NPF:

Nitrate transporter 1/Peptide transporter family

NPR:

Net photosynthetic rate

NRT:

Nitrate transporter

NUE:

Nitrogen use efficiency

PHO2:

Phosphate 2

PHT:

Phosphate Transporter

PUE:

Phosphorous use efficiency

qRT-PCR:

Quantitative real time PCR

TCC:

Total chlorophyll content

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Acknowledgements

The corresponding author is highly grateful to the Head, Department of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, and Directorate of Research, CCS Haryana Agricultural University for providing all the necessary facilities during the course of this work.

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Author notes

  1. Vijeta Sagwal and Upendra Kumar authors have contributed equally to this work and share the first authorship.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 125004, India

    Vijeta Sagwal, Upendra Kumar, Pooja Sihag & Yogita Singh

  2. Department of Botany, Deva Nagri P.G. College, CCS University, Meerut, 245206, India

    Priyanka Balyan

  3. Biophysics Unit, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities, GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, 263145, India

    Krishna Pal Singh

  4. Vice-Chancellor’s Secretariat, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, 243001, India

    Krishna Pal Singh

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Contributions

UK conceived the idea and designed the experiment. VS and PS carried out the experiments. YS, PB, and KPS analysed the data. UK, VS and YS drafting and editing the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Upendra Kumar.

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Sagwal, V., Kumar, U., Sihag, P. et al. Physiological traits and expression profile of genes associated with nitrogen and phosphorous use efficiency in wheat. Mol Biol Rep 50, 5091–5103 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-023-08413-5

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