Nutrient accumulation and distribution of wheat genotypes in response to waterlogging and nutrient supply

The effect of soil waterlogging and nutrient supply on plant nutrient accumulation and distribution was investigated for two genotypes of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) differing in waterlogging resistance, Bayles and Savannah. Plants were grown in waterlogged or drained sand and fertilized with half-strength or full-strength Hoagland's solution.Waterlogging reduced the concentrations of N, P, K, Mg, and Zn in leaves and stems and increased the concentrations of those elements in the root system. The effects were greater for waterlogging-sensitive Bayles than for waterlogging-resistant Savannah. Higher concentrations of Fe and Mn were found in waterlogged plants compared to the control plants for sensitive Bayles. Waterlogging increased the proportion of N and Zn in the root system and decreased that of K in stems for Bayles. The proportion of Fe increased in leaves and stems for Bayles and Savannah under waterlogged conditions, but to a greater extent for Bayles. Doubling the concentrations of all major and minor nutrient elements supplied to the waterlogged rooting medium improved plant nutrient status and enhanced plant dry matter production.     

Modelling potassium uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum) crops

Spring wheat was grown in the field under deficient and sufficient levels of soil K and with high and low supplies of fertiliser nitrogen. Measurements were made of K uptake, soil nutrient supply parameters, root growth and, in solution culture, root influx parameters. Mechanistic models predicted uptake reasonably well under K-deficient conditions, but over-predicted uptake, by as much as 4 times, under K-sufficient conditions. The over-prediction was apparently due to poor characterisation of plant demand.     

Boron accumulation and partitioning in wheat cultivars with contrasting tolerance to boron deficiency

Two pot experiments at the Plant Environment Laboratory (PEL), Reading, UK investigated sterility, boron (B) accumulation and B partitioning of wheat cultivars grown with limited B in the growing medium. The first experiment evaluated nine cultivars of spring wheat with diverse field responses to low available soil B, supplied with or without 20 μM B. A second experiment examined the response of a susceptible (SW-41) and a tolerant (Fang-60) cultivar to B-deficiency. These cultivars were supplied with either 20 μM B from sowing to flag leaf emergence and no added B thereafter, or 20 μM B from sowing to maturity. When B was not supplied in the nutrient solution, the number of grains ranged from 4 per ear (cv. BL-1135) to 32 per ear (cv. BL-1249) and sterility of competent florets ranged from 39% to 93%. Boron concentration in the flag leaf at anthesis did not differ greatly when the growing medium contained limited B, but differences between cultivars were evident when B was unlimited. Tolerance of B-deficiency was not related to the B concentration in the flag leaf. Some cultivars produced viable pollen and set grains while others failed to do so at similar B concentrations in the flag leaf. The two contrasting cultivars did not differ much in their pattern of B partitioning when B supply was restricted from flag leaf emergence onwards. Similarly, little evidence was found that the tolerant cultivars translocated B from their leaves, roots or stems when the supply in the growing medium was restricted. The proportion of total B partitioned in different organs was the same irrespective of B supply and cultivar. On average, leaves contained 68% of the total B content in the whole plant compared to 16% in the roots, 10% in the ears and only 6% in the stems. Tolerant or susceptible cultivars of wheat could not be distinguished based on the B concentration and B content of the flag leaf. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Responses of rape genotypes to boron application

Pot and field experiments were conducted to examine the effect of boron on the yield and quality of different rape genotypes and to identify cultivar variation in some physiological responses to boron. B fertiliser can significantly increase the yields of both traditional and high-quality rape. Significant differences in yield response to boron application were found between cultivars. High quality varieties were more sensitive to boron deficiency than a traditional variety. Application of boron increased plant height, net photosynthetic rate, activity of nitrate reductase (NRA) and dry-weight yield, and decreased the contents of erucic acid and glucosinolate in both traditional and high-quality rape varieties. Boron plays a positive role in keeping the stability of the good characteristics of high quality cultivars.     

Resistance of wheat genotypes to boron toxicity is expressed at the cellular level

The effects of toxic boron (B) concentrations on the growth of wheat genotypes at organ level and cellular level were investigated using excised root culture techniques. At the organ level, wheat genotypes differed for root elongation and lateral root development in response to toxic B concentrations. Genotypes classified as resistant from field studies had longer root axes and more lateral roots than sensitive or moderately sensitive genotypes, but there was no difference in axis elongation between sensitive and moderately sensitive genotypes. At the cellular level, callus production of root explants among genotypes still different at toxic B concentrations: resistant genotypes could produce more callus than sensitive or moderately sensitive genotypes. These results suggest that differences among genotypes in resistance to toxic B concentrations may be related to cell membrane permeability to B since they were also expressed in undifferentiated callus cells. The distinct and consistent differences among genotypes in response to B toxicity both at the organ level and at the cellular level could serve as a basis for selection in a breeding program. The methods were precise and efficient.     

Variation in nitrogen use efficiency among soft red winter wheat genotypes

Summary Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), defined as grain dry weight or grain nitrogen as a function of N supply, was evaluated in 25 soft red winter wheat genotypes for two years at one location. Significant genotypic variation was observed for NUE, nitrogen harvest index, and grain yield. Genotype x environment interaction for these traits was not significant. Several variables including N uptake efficiency (total plant N as a function of N supply), grain harvest index, and N concentration at maturity were evaluated for their role in determining differences in NUE. Nitrogen uptake efficiency accounted for 54% of the genotypic variation in NUE for yield and 72% of the genotypic variation in NUE for protein. A path coefficient analysis revealed that the direct effect of uptake efficiency on NUE was high relative to indirect effects.The investigation reported in this paper (No. 85-3-122) is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with approval of the Director     

Influence of soil solution aluminum on root elongation of wheat seedlings

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings were grown for 4 days in an acid soil horizon treated with 10 levels each of Ca(OH)₂, CaSO₄ and CaCl₂. The treatments resulted in a wide range of Al levels and Al speciation in soil solution. Seedling root length in the Ca(OH)₂ treatments was significantly related (p<0.01) to calculated Al³⁺ activity in soil solution. The Al–SO₄ complex in soil solution had a negligible effect on the root growth of Hart wheat, thus confirming the previously reached conclusion concerning the nonphytotoxicity of Al–SO₄. The short-term seedling root growth technique used in this investigation allowed for separation of Al effects on root elongation from those on plant nutrition and should be useful for studying Al toxicity relationships in soil.     

Accelerated production of transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants

We have developed a method for the accelerated production of fertile transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that yields rooted plants ready for transfer to soil in 8–9 weeks (56–66 days) after the initiation of cultures. This was made possible by improvements in the procedures used for culture, bombardment, and selection. Cultured immature embryos were given a 4–6 h pre-and 16 h post-bombardment osmotic treatment. The most consistent and satisfactory results were obtained with 30 g of gold particles/bombardment. No clear correlation was found between the frequencies of transient expression and stable transformation. The highest rates of regeneration and transformation were obtained when callus formation after bombardment was limited to two weeks in the dark, with or without selection, followed by selection during regeneration under light. Selection with bialaphos, and not phosphinothricin, yielded more vigorously growing transformed plantlets. The elongation of dark green plantlets in the presence of 4–5 mg/l bialaphos was found to be reliable for identifying transformed plants. Eighty independent transgenic wheat lines were produced in this study. Under optimum conditions, 32 transformed wheat plants were obtained from 2100 immature embryos in 56–66 days, making it possible to obtain R3 homozygous plants in less than a year.     

Resistance to boron toxicity amongst several barley and wheat cultivars: A preliminary examination of the resistance mechanism

The mechanism of resistance toB toxicity in barley and wheat was studied in a solution culture experiment using several cultivars displaying a large range of sensitivity to excessB supply. Plants were cultured for 35 d atB concentrations ranging from normal to excessive (15 to 5000 M, respectively) then examined for dry matter production and theB distribution between roots and shoots.In both species, increasedB supply was accompanied by increased tissueB concentrations, development ofB toxicity symptoms and depressed growth. At each level ofB supply, however, resistant cultivars accumulated considerably lessB than did sensitive cultivars, in both roots and shoots. Even at the lowestB supply, at which noB toxicity symptoms developed and growth was not affected, resistant cultivars maintained relatively low tissueB concentrations. No cultivar displayed an ability to tolerate high tissueB concentrations.These results indicate that sensitivity toB toxicity in barley and wheat is governed by the ability of cultivars to excludeB. If theB concentrations of tissues is used to indicate resistance toB toxicity, then cultivars have the same ranking whether cultured at a normal or excessB supply.     

Nitrate accumulation by wheat (Triticum aestivum) in relation to growth and tissue N concentrations

The accumulation of nitrate in relation to total N concentrations ([N]_i) in tissues of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv Sicco) grown in solution culture was investigated. Root, shoot and leaf tissues showed qualitatively similar relationships between internal nitrate concentrations and [N]_i, both expressed on a tissue water basis. At low [N]_i, no nitrate was detectable but once a particular [N]_i was exceeded, nitrate accumulated as a linear function of [N]_i. The threshold [N]_i values for nitrate accumulation were 110, 450, and 550 mM for roots, total shoot and leaf 4, respectively. The slope of the relationship between nitrate and [N]_i indicated that in all tissues nitrate accounted for 50–55% of the extra N accumulated above the threshold [N]_i. All growth requirements for N were satisfied before nitrate accumulated.     

Chlorophyll content and leaf elongation rate in wheat seedlings as a measure of manganese tolerance

After aluminum toxicity, manganese (Mn) toxicity is probably the second most important growth limiting factor in acid soils. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using chlorophyll content and leaf elongation rate (LER) for regrowth of Mn stressed seedlings as a rapid seedling based screening bioassay for Mn tolerance in segregating populations of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In one experiment, chlorophyll was determined for the cultivars Norquay (Mn-tolerant) and Columbus (Mn-sensitive) subjected to twelve Mn levels (2 to 2000 μM) in nutrient solutions. As Mn concentration increased, chlorophyll ‘a’ and ‘b’ contents of the Mn-tolerant cultivar decreased up to 9%, while in the Mn-sensitive cultivar it was reduced by as much as 43%. The chlorophyll ‘a/b’ ratio did not differ among Mn concentrations for either cultivar. In a second experiment, chlorophyll content and LER for regrowth of Mn stressed seedlings (1000 μM) was determined for Columbus and Katepwa (Mn-sensitive), Oslo (Mn-intermediate), and Norquay and Laura (Mn-tolerant). Manganese tolerance as assayed by chlorophyll ‘a’ and ‘b’ and LER was significantly correlated with Mn tolerance as assayed by the relative root weight methodology (RRW). Thus, chlorophyll content of Mn-stressed seedlings and LER of seedling regrowth appear to be suitable techniques for screening unreplicated selections of segregating populations for tolerance to Mn.     

Genotypic differences in phosphorus efficiency of wheat

In an attempt to evaluate whether breeding and selection for high yielding capacity did change the P requirements of modern wheat cultivars, the response of two wheat cultivars to different levels of P supply was investigated. A traditional cultivar ("Peragis") and a modern cultivar ("Cosir") were cultivated in a C-loess low in available P and high in CaCO₃ in 120 cm high PVC pots. Shoot and root growth at different developmental stages was compared. The grain yield of the modern cultivar Cosir was higher at limiting and non-limiting P supply and, therefore, this cultivar can be considered as more P-efficient than the traditional cultivar. From the results it can be concluded that the main factors contributing to the higher P efficiency of the modern cultivar are (i) efficient use of assimilates for root growth characteristics which enhance P acquisition: smaller root diameter, and longer root hairs, (ii) efficient remobilization of P from vegetative plant organs to the grains, and (iii) lower P requirement for grain yield formation because of lower ear number per plant but higher grain number per ear.     

Comparison of boron uptake and translocation in two vetiver genotypes and evaluation of boron removal efficiency of vetiver floating islands

The objectives of this study were to identify genotypic differences in the uptake and translocation of boron (B) in vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides L.), a promising species in B phytoremediation, and to determine the efficiency of vetiver floating island system in B phytoremediation. Changes in plant biomass and B uptake and translocation were determined in two vetiver genotypes, Sierra and Sunshine, cultured hydroponically in a nutrient solution and exposed to six different B concentrations for 7 d and 14 d. The efficiency of B removal by Sierra (a high B accumulative genotype) grown in floating islands was also determined. Shoot B concentration differed significantly between the two genotypes but differences in root concentration were not significant. Root to shoot B transfer and B uptake ability were higher in Sierra than in Sunshine. The uptake and translocation of B was affected by B concentration and time of exposure. Sierra plants grown in floating islands were more efficient in B removal at lower B concentrations. Most of the B removed accumulated in the middle-upper sections of old leaves. Sierra is more suitable for the removal of B from wastewaters than Sunshine, especially in vetiver floating island system.     

The contribution of different regions of the seminal roots of wheat to uptake of nitrate from soil

A technique was developed to determine the physiological activity of defined sections of seminal roots of wheat grown in sand. Wheat plants were grown for 2 weeks in narrow columns of N-deficient sand to which all other nutrients had been added. The columns were split longitudinally and ¹⁵N-labelled nitrate, in an agar medium, supplied to 2 cm sections of root. Shoots and roots were analysed after 24 h to determine the uptake of ¹⁵N. Three sections were examined on either the secondary or tertiary seminal root: 1 cm from the seed (basal segment), 35 cm from the seed (middle segment) and 4 cm from the root apex (apical segment). Total uptake was greatest from the basal and middle segments, declining by 50% from the apical segment. However, uptake per unit root length, including exposed sections of lateral roots, was not significantly different along the root.     

The effect of inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense on growth and nitrogen utilization by wheat plants

Azospirillium brasilense is a rhizosphere bacteria that has been reported to improve yield when inoculated on wheat plants. However, the mechanisms through which this effect is induced is still unclear. In the present work, we have studied the effects of inoculating a highly efficient A. brasilense strain on wheat plant grown in 5 kg pots with soil in a greenhouse, under three N regimes (0, 3 or 16 mM NO₃ ^–, 50 ml/pot once or twice-a -week), and in disinfected or non-disinfected soil. At the booting stage, the inoculated roots in both soils showed a similar colonization by Azospirillum sp. that was not affected by N addition. The plants grown in the disinfected soil showed a higher biomass, N content and N concentration than those in the non-disinfected soil, and in both soils the inoculation stimulated plant growth, N accumulation, and N and NO₃ ^– concentration in the tissues.At maturity, the inoculated plants showed a higher biomass, grain yield and N content than the uninoculated ones in both soils, and a higher grain protein concentration than the uninoculated. It is concluded that in the present experiments, A. brasilenseincreased plant growth by stimulating nitrogen uptake by the roots.     

Identification of C-banded chromosomes in meiosis of common wheat,Triticum aestivum L.

Summary The C-banding pattern of nine meiotic chromosomes of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as described. In F₁s of crosses between monosomics of Chinese Spring and two Spanish wheat cultivars, univalent chromosomes were used to aid the recognition and analysis of the C-banding pattern for the individual chromosomes. The identification of one chromosome involved in one translocation in Chinese Spring x Pané 247 has been made through heterochromatin bands observed in the chromosomes involved in multivalents.     

The fate of carbon and fertiliser nitrogen when dryland wheat is grown in monoliths of duplex soil

Triticum aestivum L. (cv. Gutha), a short-season wheat, was grown to maturity in large monoliths of duplex soil (sand over sandy-clay) in a daylight phytotron mimicking field conditions. Either ¹⁵N-labelled ammonium sulphate ((NH₄)₂SO₄) or urea was banded into the soil at a rate of 30 kg N ha^–1: even though roots were about 20% heavier when grown in the presence of (NH₄)₂SO₄ for 86 d (P<0.05), above-ground mass was not affected by the source of nitrogen. At four times through crop development up to grain-filling (50, 56, 70 and 86 d after sowing) shoots were labelled heavily with ¹⁴CO₂ with two purposes. First, to trace `instantaneous' assimilate movement over 24 h, revealing relative sink strengths throughout plants. This, in turn, allowed precise measurements of live root mass and the proportion of recent photoassimilates deposited in the rhizosphere. Although root systems were sparse, even in surface soil layers, they were strong sinks for photoassimilates early in development (0–50 d), supporting the conversion of inorganic applied nitrogen (N) to soil organic forms. In the presence of roots, up to 28% of ¹⁵N was immobilised, whereas only 12% of labelled ammonium sulphate was immobilised in unplanted plots in spite of a favourable moisture status in both treatments. The effect of plants on rates of ¹⁵N transformation is ascribed to recently imported photoassimilates sustaining rhizosphere metabolism. Not more than 15% of recently fixed carbon imported by roots was recovered from the rhizoplane, suggesting that a highly localised microbial biomass supported vigorous immobilisation of soil N. Thus, more than twice as much applied N was destined for soil organic fractions as for root material. By these processes, root- and soil-immobilised N become substantial stores of applied N and together with shoot N accounted for all the applied N under dryland conditions.     

Nutrient accumulation and translocation in maturing wheat plants grown on waterlogged soil

Wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Arina) growing in large pots (perforated at the bottom for controls, intact for flooding) were embedded in the field in spring. Waterlogging was initiated at anthesis and was maintained throughout the maturation period. Grain yield as well as potassium, phosphorus and magnesium contents in the shoot were decreased on flooded soil, while manganese and iron contents increased considerably. Total calcium and zinc contents per shoot remained comparable to those in controls. The reduction of potassium, phosphorus and magnesium contents by waterlogging was greatest in the grains, while manganese and iron accumulated mostly in the vegetative parts and the glumes. Zinc contents were also lowered in the grains during waterlogging due to an inhibited redistribution from the vegetative parts to the grains. Our results indicate that flooding caused not only an accumulation of manganese and iron in the shoot, but also affected the redistribution of macro- and micronutrients to the maturing gains.