Genotypic variation in partitioning of phosphorus in relation to nitrogen and dry matter during wheat grain development

Phosphorus has many similarities to N for plant nutrition, but little is known regarding P partitioning among genotypes and factors that affect it. Experiments were conducted to measure variation in partitioning of P and its relationship to N, dry matter, and yield components of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Sixteen cultivars grown under field conditions were sampled at anthesis for P, N, and dry matter and at maturity for the same constituents and for yield components. Relationships among the traits were determined by Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Accumulation of P and dry matter during grain development and grain HI, NHI, and PHI differed significantly among genotypes. Post‐anthesis P, N, and dry matter accumulation correlated positively as did HI, NHI, and PHI, but accumulation of the constituents was not related to their His. The positive associations were attributed to requirement of P and N for growth and their accumulation as reserve compounds in grain. Genotypic variation in PHI may be as useful as variation in HI and NHI for wheat improvement.