Grain yield, carbon isotope discrimination, mineral and silicon content in durum wheat under different precipitation regimes

Twenty-one durum wheat genotypes originating from different geographic areas were grown during 3 successive years. The trials were characterised by different precipitation regimes. Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ), carbon content (CC) and ash content (m_a) were assessed in the flag leaf during anthesis, then in the kernel at full maturity. Differences between the 3 years, due to water availability, were noted for Δ, m_a, CC and yield. Genotypic differences were also noted within each year for all the traits studied. Some genotypes from the Middle East exhibited higher flag leaf and kernel Δ than those originating from the West of the Mediterranean basin. The kernel Δ was strongly correlated with grain yield (GY). The leaf Δ correlated with GY only under strong water limitation and with biomass production (BP) in favourable water conditions. For the flag leaf, Δ was correlated with m_a and with CC. Silicon content was then assessed in the flag leaf and in the kernel on a subset of 10 genotypes differing in their Δ values. Strong positive correlations were noted between silicon content and Δ and m_a for the flag leaf. However, no clear relationship was found between silicon content and GY. The results obtained in this study confirm the validity of kernel Δ as a predictive criterion for GY under water stress and suggest the possible use of kernel m_a as an alternative criterion to select genotypes with higher water stress tolerance.     

Relationships between carbon isotope discrimination, dry matter production, and harvest index in durum wheat

Carbon isotope discrimination has been proposed as a criterion for the indirect selection to improve transpiration efficiency and grain yield in bread wheat and barley. Less attention has been devoted to durumwheat (Triticum durumDesf.) despite its economic importance in the Mediterranean basin. The Δ genetic variation and its relationships to dry matter production and harvest index in durum wheat were investigated in this study. For this purpose, field experiments were conducted on 144 durum wheat accessions under Mediterranean conditions (South of France) during three consecutive years with contrasting climatic conditions. Grain yield, above-ground biomass, harvest index, and carbon isotope discrimination of flag leaf and kernel were measured. Differences between years, noted for both leaf and kernel carbon isotope discrimination, were probably related to the variation in water availability from year to year. A large genotypic variation was also noticed for both leaf and kernel carbon isotope discrimination. The two traits were found to be positively correlated with grain yield within and across years, which confirms the interest in carbon isotope discrimination for selection for grain yield improvement under Mediterranean conditions. Both kernel and leaf carbon isotope discrimination correlated better with harvest index than with grain yield, suggesting that carbon isotope discrimination could reflect the efficiency of carbon partitioning to the kernel. The lack of correlation between leaf carbon isotope discrimination and both harvest index and grain yield in favourable water conditions (1996) was probably due to the difference in water availability between the period until flag leaves sampling (favourable conditions) and the strong water stress which accompanied the grain filling. Kernel carbon isotope discrimination correlated better with both harvest index and grain yield than did leaf carbon isotope discrimination. Moreover, a higher broad-sense heritability was obtained for kernel carbon isotope discrimination than for leaf carbon isotope discrimination. As a result, kernel carbon isotope discrimination appeared to be a better predictive criterion for efficiency of the carbon partitioning to the kernel (harvest index), and hence for grain yield, than did flag leaf carbon isotope discrimination.     

Productivity and carbon isotope discrimination in durum wheat organs under a Mediterranean climate

For durum wheat, we promote the use of carbon isotope discrimination (delta) as an indirect selection criterion for transpiration efficiency and grain yield (GY), and we identify the most effective organ for characterising delta genotypic variation. A field experiment was conducted in the South of France on 144 accessions, with a drought period occurring from February to June. Harvest index (HI), GY and delta (delta L, flag leaf; delta A, awn, delta G grain) were measured. Significant positive genetic correlations were noted between delta and both GY and HI. A larger genotypic variation and a higher broad-sense heritability were noted for delta G compared to delta L and delta A. delta G correlated better with GY and HI than delta L and delta A, showing that delta G could provide a better assessment of genotypic behaviours under drought during grain filling. Moreover, the indirect selection based on delta G (even when evaluated with one replicate) appeared more efficient than the direct selection for grain yield. This result emphasised the potential value of grain carbon isotope discrimination as a criterion for grain yield improvement under stressed Mediterranean conditions.     

The historical perspective of dryland agriculture: lessons learned from 10,000 years of wheat cultivation

Wheat is one of the founder crops of Western agriculture. This study reconstructs agronomic conditions, potential yields, and kernel weight in the beginnings of cultivation of domesticated free-threshing wheat, c. 8000 BC. The carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions and the dimensions of fossil grains of naked wheat (Triticum aestivum/durum) were analysed. Samples were collected in Tell Halula and Akar?ay Tepe, two Neolithic archaeological sites from the Middle Euphrates (the claimed core area for wheat domestication). The samples analysed include the oldest reported remains of naked wheat. Consistently wetter conditions but lower kernel weights were found in the Neolithic compared with the present day. Besides, the estimated yields were clearly beyond what is expected from the gathering of wild stands of cereals. Patterns of phenotypic adaptation achieved by wheat after its diffusion through the Mediterranean were also assessed. On the one hand, the study looked at variation in morphophysiological traits as related to local climate in a set of 68 durum wheat landraces from the Middle Euphrates. On the other hand, an assessment was made of regional adaptation around the Mediterranean Basin in a set of 90 landraces, traditional varieties, and modern cultivars from different origins by characterizing agronomic and morphophysiological variability. Significant relationships were observed between phenotypic variation among landraces from the Middle Euphrates and both minimum temperatures and the ratio of precipitation to potential evapotranspiration of the sites of origin. In addition, consistent differences in grain yield, plant structure, and water status were found among genotypes following both north-south and east-west gradients across the Mediterranean. These differences are associated with contrasting environmental and selection pressures.     

Ear photosynthesis, carbon isotope discrimination and the contribution of respiratory CO2 to differences in grain mass in durum wheat

The role of ear photosynthesis in grain filling was studied in a number of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var durum L.) landraces and varieties from the Middle East, North Africa, and from the collections of ‘Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique’ (INRA, France) and ‘Centro International de Mejora de Maiz y Trigo’ (CIMMYT, Mexico). Plants were grown in the field in a Mediterranean climate. Flag leaves (blade plus sheath) and ears were kept in the dark from 1 week after anthesis to maturity which reduced grain weight by 22.4% and 59.0%, respectively. In a further experiment, the carbon isotope discrimination ratio (Δ) of ear bracts, awns and flag leaves was measured on samples taken at anthesis and on mature kernels. The mean value of Δ for the water soluble fraction of bracts (17.0‰) and awns (17.7‰) were lower than those of leaves (19.5‰) and fairly similar to those of kernels (17.4‰) averaged across all genotypes. Data indicate that most of the photosynthates in the grain come from ear parts and not from flag leaves. In addition, a higher water use efficiency (WUE) of ear parts than of the flag leaf is suggested by their lower Δ values. Gas exchange in ears and flag leaves was measured during grain filling. Averaged over all genotypes, CO₂ diffusive conductance was about five times higher in the flag leaf than in the spike (with distal portions of awns outside the photosynthetic chamber) 2 weeks after anthesis. In absolute terms, the dark respiration rate (R_d) was greater than the net photosynthesis rate (P_n) by a factor of 1.74 in the spike, whereas R_d was much smaller, only 22.1, 65.7 and 24.8% of P_n in blade, sheath and awns, respectively. Data indicate that photosynthesis, and hence the water use efficiency (photosynthesis/transpiration), is greatly underestimated in ears because of the high rates of respiration which diminish the measured rates of net CO₂ exchange. Results of ¹³C discrimination and gas exchange show that genotypes from North Africa have higher WUE than those from the Middle East. The high R_d values of ears as well as their low diffusive conductance suggest that CO₂ from respiration may be used as source of carbon for ear photosynthesis. In the same way, the anatomy of glumes, for example, supports the role of bracts using internal CO₂ as source of photosynthesis. In the first experiment, the Δ in mature grains from culms with darkened ears compared with control culms provided further evidence in support of this hypothesis. Thus, the Δ from kernels of control plants was 0.40 higher than that from ear-darkened plants, probably because of some degree of refixation (recycling) of respired CO₂ in the grains.     

Relationships between flag leaf carbon isotope discrimination and several morpho-physiological traits in durum wheat genotypes under Mediterranean conditions

Relationships between flag leaf carbon isotope discrimination (Delta), water status parameters, residual transpiration (RT) and stomatal density (SD) were examined on a collection of 144 durum wheat accessions. Associations between Delta, grain yield (GY) and harvest index (HI) were also studied. The field trial was conducted under Mediterranean conditions. The crop cycle was characterised by a period of drought from February until maturity. A broad range of values we obtained for Delta (16.5-19.9 per thousand) and other physiological traits. Flag leaf Delta was positively and significantly correlated with both HI and GY. Delta was better correlated with HI than with GY, which suggests that higher Delta values indicate higher efficiency of carbon partitioning to the kernel, leading to higher GY. Delta was found positively related with RT and negatively related with SD. This relationship may indicate a possible SD component of RT due to the association between conductance and SD. Strong positive correlations were found between Delta and water status parameters, suggesting that Delta may provide a good indication of plant water status in durum wheat under rainfed Mediterranean conditions.     

Effects of awns on the photosynthesis and yield of wheat, Triticum aestivum

Two pairs of awned and awnless near-isogenic lines of winter wheat were used in a field study in which canopy enclosure apparatus and carbon-14 dosing were employed to assess the contribution of the awns to photosynthesis and grain yield. Awns contributed an average of 12-2% to canopy gross photosynthesis but did not increase the net photosynthesis of the complete canopy. The presence of awns decreased photosynthesis in the remaining ear structures and in the flag and penultimate leaf laminae. Seven days after dosing during the phase of rapid grain filling, 80% of the carbon recovered was located in the grains. The awns intercepted 9% of the incident visible radiation when fully green, and senesced at similar rates as the ears and flag leaves. In a second experiment the effect of awns on grain yield and its components was investigated in crosses segregating for height and presence of awns. Awns did not increase grain yields in either experiment. It appears that for British conditions in the absence of severe drought there is little advantage to be gained at present by breeding awned varieties of wheat.     

矮秆基因对小麦部分农艺性状的效应

以中国主要麦区的124份小麦品种为材料,利用分子标记和系谱分析相结合,对其按照所含的矮秆基因Rht-B1b、Rht-D1b和Rht8进行分类,结合田间株高、旗叶长、小穗数和穗粒数以及室内苗期根系长度等农艺形状的调查,分析不同矮秆基因对小麦农艺性状的效应.结果显示:(1)参试的124份小麦品种(系)中23份含有Rht-B1b,7份含有Rht-D1b,22份含有Rht8基因,34份同时含有Rht-B1b和Rht8,16份同时含有Rht-D1b和Rht8,可分为6组.(2)Rht-B1b和Rht-D1b在降低株高的同时也缩短了旗叶的长度和苗期叶长,Rht8对株高的影响较弱,对旗叶和苗期叶长的影响也较小;3个矮秆基因对苗期根系长度、小穗数没有显著影响;Rht-D1b和Rht8显著增加穗粒数.研究表明,矮秆基因Rht8对小麦株高以及其他农艺性状的影响均较小,但能够显著增加穗粒数,是小麦矮化育种中比较理想的矮秆基因.     

河北省冬小麦丰产抗旱性表型鉴定指标分析

以河北省审定的85个冬小麦品种为材料,采用防雨棚春季干旱和露地灌溉2个处理,分别于开花期、成熟期调查株高等27个表型性状,分析了各表型性状与单株子粒产量的相关性。结果表明,单株成穗数等12个性状与单株子粒产量抗旱系数或抗旱指数呈显著或极显著相关;结合表型性状变异系数,明确了提高单株成穗数、穗粒数、灌溉条件下较长的旗叶长度和干旱条件下较短的旗叶长度是培育丰产抗旱小麦新品种的主攻方向;子粒比重、子粒长度及干旱条件下的结实率和每穗小穗数可作为河北省小麦种质资源丰产抗旱性的鉴定依据;河北省小麦品种丰产性高,而抗旱性尚需进一步改善。     

Quantifying relationships between rooting traits and water uptake under drought in Mediterranean barley and durum wheat

In Mediterranean regions drought is the major factor limiting spring barley and durum wheat grain yields. This study aimed to compare spring barley and durum wheat root and shoot responses to drought and quantify relationships between root traits and water uptake under terminal drought.One spring barley（Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Rum） and two durum wheat Mediterranean cultivars（Triticum turgidum L. var durum cvs Hourani and Karim） were examined in soil‐column experiments under well watered and drought conditions. Root system architecture traits, water uptake, and plant growth were measured. Barley aerial biomass and grain yields were higher than for durum wheat cultivars in well watered conditions. Drought decreased grain yield more for barley（47%） than durum wheat（30%, Hourani）. Root‐to‐shoot dry matter ratio increased for durum wheat under drought but not for barley, and root weight increased for wheat in response todrought but decreased for barley. The critical root length density（RLD） and root volume density（RVD） for 90% available water capture for wheat were similar to（cv. Hourani） or lower than（cv. Karim） for barley depending on wheat cultivar. For both species, RVD accounted for a slightly higher proportion of phenotypic variation in water uptake under drought than RLD.     

播种量和施氮量对垄沟覆膜栽培冬小麦花后生理性状的影响

为协调冬小麦个体与群体间的关系,充分发挥旱作条件下垄沟栽培优势,以冬小麦品种小偃22为材料,采用二元二次正交旋转组合设计,通过田间试验研究了垄下集中施肥、垄上覆膜、膜际种植模式下播种量和施氮量对冬小麦花后生理性状的影响.结果表明： 花后叶面积指数、旗叶叶绿素含量和净光合速率均随施氮量的增加而增加.灌浆前中期叶面积指数随播种量的增加呈先增后稳的趋势;灌浆后期叶面积指数随播种量的增加而降低.随播种量的增加,旗叶的叶绿素含量和净光合速率降低,单株产量呈先减少后增加的趋势.适宜的播种量可以协调个体与群体间的矛盾,而适量增施氮肥有利于花后小麦生理性状的改善和产量的提高.在供试条件下,小偃22在播种量112.5 kg·hm-2与施氮量180～222 kg N·hm-2配置时,个体与群体的关系比较协调,花后叶面积指数较高,群体结构适宜,而且旗叶叶绿素含量、净光合速率和单茎产量较高,能获得高产.     

播种量和施氮量对垄沟覆膜栽培冬小麦花后生理性状的影响

为协调冬小麦个体与群体间的关系,充分发挥旱作条件下垄沟栽培优势,以冬小麦品种小偃22为材料,采用二元二次正交旋转组合设计,通过田间试验研究了垄下集中施肥、垄上覆膜、膜际种植模式下播种量和施氮量对冬小麦花后生理性状的影响.结果表明:花后叶面积指数、旗叶叶绿素含量和净光合速率均随施氮量的增加而增加.灌浆前中期叶面积指数随播种量的增加呈先增后稳的趋势;灌浆后期叶面积指数随播种量的增加而降低.随播种量的增加,旗叶的叶绿素含量和净光合速率降低,单株产量呈先减少后增加的趋势.适宜的播种量可以协调个体与群体间的矛盾,而适量增施氮肥有利于花后小麦生理性状的改善和产量的提高.在供试条件下,小偃22在播种量112.5 kg hm-2与施氮量180 ～222 kg N·hm-2配置时,个体与群体的关系比较协调,花后叶面积指数较高,群体结构适宜,而且旗叶叶绿素含量、净光合速率和单茎产量较高,能获得高产.     

冀中北小麦品种抗旱性筛选研究

干旱是华北地区小麦生产的重要限制因素,从推广小麦品种中鉴定和筛选抗旱品种,对稳定小麦产量、降低区域水分消耗具有重要意义.本研究以近年来在河北省中北部审定、推广的13个小麦品种为材料,设置冬后浇2水(D2处理)、浇1水(D1处理)和不浇水(D0处理)3种处理方式,进行了大田条件下的抗旱品种筛选试验.结果表明,在D0处理时...     

Ear of durum wheat under water stress: water relations and photosynthetic metabolism

The photosynthetic characteristics of the ear and flag leaf of well-watered (WW) and water-stressed (WS) durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) were studied in plants grown under greenhouse and Mediterranean field conditions. Gas exchange measurements simultaneously with modulated chlorophyll fluorescence were used to study the response of the ear and flag leaf to CO₂ and O₂ during photosynthesis. C₄ metabolism was identified by assessing the sensitivity of photosynthetic rate and electron transport to oxygen. The presence of CAM metabolism was assessed by measuring daily patterns of stomatal conductance and net CO₂ assimilation. In addition, the histological distribution of Rubisco protein in the ear parts was studied by immunocytochemical localisation. Relative water content (RWC) and osmotic adjustment (osmotic potential at full turgor) were also measured in these organs. Oxygen sensitivity of the assimilation rate and electron transport, the lack of Rubisco compartmentalisation in the mesophyll tissues and the gas-exchange pattern at night indicated that neither C₄ nor CAM metabolism occurs in the ear of WW or WS plants. Nevertheless, photosynthetic activity of the flag leaf was more affected by WS conditions than that of the ear, under both growing conditions. The lower sensitivity under water stress of the ear than of the flag leaf was linked to higher RWC and osmotic adjustment in the ear bracts and awns. We demonstrate that the better performance of the ear under water stress (compared to the flag leaf) is not related to C₄ or CAM photosynthesis. Rather, drought tolerance of the ear is explained by its higher RWC in drought. Osmotic adjustment and xeromorphic traits of ear parts may be responsible.     

Remobilization of cadmium in maturing shoots of near isogenic lines of durum wheat that differ in grain cadmium accumulation.

Cadmium accumulation in grain of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) represents a concern to consumers. In an effort to understand the regulation of Cd accumulation in maturing grain, the remobilization of 109Cd applied to stem and flag leaves was examined in two near-isogenic lines that differ in grain Cd accumulation. Absorbed 109Cd was primarily retained in the labelling flap (50-54% and 65-80% for stem and flag leaves, respectively). Cadmium exported from the stem flap initially (3 d) accumulated in the stem in a declining gradient towards the head. Subsequent remobilization of Cd deposited in the stem was associated with Cd accumulation in the grain. Cadmium exported from the flag leaf flap was primarily directed to the grain. Little (<1%) Cd accumulated in the glumes or rachis, and transport of Cd to shoot tissues below the flag leaf node was low (<1%). On average, 9% and 17% of absorbed 109Cd accumulated in the grain 14 d after labelling the stem and flag leaf, respectively. Irrespective of labelling position, the low Cd-accumulating isoline averaged 1.5-2-fold lower Cd accumulation per grain and Cd concentration in the grain than the high Cd-accumulating isoline. Cadmium accumulation in the grain was inversely correlated with Cd retention in the stem (stem labelled) and labelling flap (flag leaf labelled) for both isolines. Cadmium translocation to the grain was not inhibited by Zn when both were applied simultaneously (50 pM 109Cd; 0.5 microM 65Zn) to the flag leaf. These results show that elevated remobilization of Cd from the leaves and stem to the maturing grain may be partially responsible for the high accumulation of Cd in durum wheat grain.     

Genetic variation of salt-stressed durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum Desf.) genotypes under field conditions and gynogenetic capacity

Agriculture has new challenges against the climate change: the preservation of genetic resources and the rapid creation of new varieties better adapted to abiotic stress, specially salinity. In this context, the agronomic performance of 25 durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum Desf.) genotypes (nineteen landraces and six improved varieties), cultivated in two semi-arid regions in the center area of Tunisia, were assessed. These sites (Echbika, 2.2?g?l^?1; Barrouta, 4.2?g?l^?1) differ by their degree of salinity of the water irrigation. The results showed that most of the agronomic traits (e.g. spike per meter square, thousand kernels weight and grain yield) were reduced by salinity. Durum wheat landraces, Mahmoudi and Hmira, and improved varieties, Maali and Om Rabia showed the widest adaptability to different quality of irrigation water. Genotypes including Jneh Kotifa and Arbi were estimated as stable genotypes under adverse conditions. Thereafter, salt-tolerant (Hmira and Jneh Khotifa) and the most cultivated high-yielding (Karim, Razzak and Khiar) genotypes were tested for their gynogenetic ability to obtain haploids and doubled haploid lines. Genotypes with good induction capacity had not necessarily a good capacity of regeneration of haploid plantlets. In our conditions, Hmira and Khiar exhibited the best gynogenetic ability (3.1% and 2.9% of haploid plantlets, respectively).     

Water use efficiency in C3 cereals under Mediterranean conditions: a review of physiological aspects

In this review, we will discuss physiological traits of C₃ cereals related to water use efficiency (WUE) in Mediterranean environments, from leaf (WUE_{instantaneous}) to crop level (WUE_yield or ‘water productivity’). First, we analyse the WUE_{instantaneous} and the possible trade‐off between improving this parameter and growth/yield performance. Ways to ameliorate WUE without penalties are discussed. We also analyse in what cases breeding by high or low WUE_{instantaneous} is a suitable criterion to maintain grain yield under drought (Mediterranean) conditions. This question is approached in the framework of carbon isotope discrimination, (Δ¹³C), the main indirect parameter used to integrate (at time and space scale) the WUE_{instantaneous} in C₃ plants. A negative correlation between these two parameters has been confirmed by several studies. The relationship between Δ¹³C and grain yield, however, is more complex, and may differ from one environment to another. In Mediterranean conditions with moderate or no water stress, a positive correlation between Δ¹³C and grain yield is found in barley and wheat, whereas in ‘stored‐water’ crops (such as in some regions of Australia), lower Δ¹³C (i.e. higher WUE_{instantaneous}) is associated with higher grain yield, particularly in more stressful conditions. These apparent inconsistencies and their possible implications for plant breeding are discussed. One physiological trait that has received minor attention in attempts to improve WUE_{instantaneous} is the role of ear photosynthesis. Ears of barley and durum wheat have a higher WUE_{instantaneous} than the flag leaf, both in well‐watered and in drought conditions. The underlying causes of the higher WUE_{instantaneous} of ears are not fully understood, but their refixation capacity (i.e. the capacity to re‐assimilate respired carbon dioxide) could be important. Although the genotypic variability of this trait has not been extensively studied, some data support the idea that variation in refixation capacity may be attributable to genetic factors. At the crop level, decreasing soil evaporation is a crucial factor in efforts to improve the WUE_yield in Mediterranean conditions, and fast initial growth of the crop (i.e. early vigour) seems to be relevant. In wheat, modern varieties with dwarfing genes (giberellic acid – insensitive) have higher yields but, concomitantly, they have lower initial growth performance. Recently, semi‐dwarf cultivars (giberellic acid – sensitive) with high grain yield and simultaneously high early vigour were found, opening new avenues to increase WUE_yield in wheat. The negative effects of futile water loss by cuticular and nocturnal transpiration are also commented. Finally, we discuss some agronomic practices (in particular, ‘deficit irrigation’ systems) linked to physiological traits that confer higher WUE_yield,, in particular, in the cases of Mediterranean regions.     

冷型小麦旗叶衰老和活性氧代谢特性研究

以典型的冷型小麦和暖型小麦为试验材料,研究了同一环境背景下不同温度型小麦开花后的旗叶衰老和活性氧代谢特性。结果表明,与暖型小麦相比,冷型小麦籽料灌浆期旗叶叶绿素和可溶性蛋白质含量下降缓慢、含量高,整个业粒形成和灌浆期ＭＤＡ积累速度慢、含量低,籽粒灌浆期防御活性氧伤害的关键性保护酶（ＳＯＤ、ＣＡＴ和ＰＯＤ）活性下隆幅度小,灌浆中后期活性水平高。由此认为,小麦旗叶衰老和活性氧代谢特性与其温度型的归属关     

Effects of nitrogen rates on grain yield and nitrogen agronomic efficiency of durum wheat genotypes under different environments

Durum wheat is an important staple food crop in Tunisia and other Mediterranean countries and is grown in various climatic conditions. Production and yield are however severely limited not only by drought events but also by reduced levels of nitrogen fertilisation. A study was carried out at two locations in the sub‐humid area of Tunisia: Mateur in 2009–10 and 2010–11 and Beja in 2011–12 and 2012–13 under rainfed conditions. Four durum wheat genotypes (landraces: Bidi, Azizi; improved: Om Rabia, Khiar) were evaluated for nitrogen agronomic efficiency and related agronomic traits under various nitrogen rates: 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg N ha^?1, with three replications. There was a significant interaction effect (P ≤ 0.001) environments × genotypes × N treatments for grain yield (GY), biomass yield (BY), harvest index (HI), partial factor productivity of applied nitrogen (PFP_N) and nitrogen agronomic use efficiencies (NAE). GY was the most affected trait by nitrogen applied showing an increase of 94% under high N treatment (250 kg N ha^?1) compared to control plots without N treatments. A significant linear regression exists between GY (0 N) and GY for the different N rates (r = 0.70; P < 0.001). This effect was more pronounced for improved genotypes than landraces for all parameters excepting BY and NAE_BY. BY showed +11% increase in landraces than improved genotypes. PFP_N showed an average decrease of 65% under high‐N fertilisation with 10% prevalence for improved genotypes. Landraces tend to promote vegetative growth while grain filling efficiency was higher for improved genotypes.