春小麦籽粒淀粉和蛋白质积累与底物供应的关系

利用产量和蛋白质含量不同的三个春小麦品种,在盆栽条件下,研究了籽粒灌浆过程中淀粉和蛋白质积累与可溶性糖、游离氨基酸含量变化的关系。结果表明,开花后5～20 d三个品种籽粒可溶性糖含量急剧下降,对应时期的淀粉含量快速上升,后期当可溶性糖含量回升时,其相应淀粉含量下降或增加的幅度很小。籽粒游离氨基酸含量随着灌浆进程渐次降低,品种间蛋白质含量的变化与游离氨基酸的变化一致。所有品种淀粉积累速率变化呈抛物线型变化,高产中蛋白品种的淀粉积累速率最高。进一步认为,可溶性糖作为淀粉合成的底物向淀粉的转化可能更多地依赖于籽粒利用和合成能力的大小,而蛋白质积累更多地直接依赖供应源。     

Yield response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes to drought under rainfed lowland: 3. Plant factors contributing to drought resistance

A series of experiments were conducted in drought-prone northeast Thailand to examine the magnitude of yield responses of diverse genotypes to drought stress environments and to identify traits that may confer drought resistance to rainfed lowland rice. One hundred and twenty eight genotypes were grown under non-stress and four different types of drought stress conditions.Under severe drought conditions, the maintenance of PWP of genotypes played a significant role in determining final grain yield. Because of their smaller plant size (lower total dry matter at anthesis) genotypes that extracted less soil water during the early stages of the drought period, tended to maintain higher PWP and had a higher fertile panicle percentage, filled grain percentage and final grain yield than other genotypes. PWP was correlated with delay in flowering (r=−0.387) indicating that the latter could be used as a measure of water potential under stress. Genotypes with well-developed root systems extracted water too rapidly and experienced severe water stress at flowering. RPR which showed smaller coefficient of variation was more useful than root mass density in identifying genotypes with large root system.Under less severe and prolonged drought conditions, genotypes that could achieve higher plant dry matter at anthesis were desirable. They had less delay in flowering, higher grain yield and higher drought response index, indicating the importance of ability to grow during the prolonged stress period.Other shoot characters (osmotic potential, leaf temperature, leaf rolling, leaf death) had little effect on grain yield under different drought conditions. This was associated with a lack of genetic variation and difficulty in estimating trait values precisely.Under mild stress conditions (yield loss less than 50%), there was no significant relationship between the measured drought characters and grain yield. Under these mild drought conditions, yield is determined more by yield potential and phenotype than by drought resistant mechanisms per se.     

播种期和氮肥用量对春大麦灌浆期籽粒蛋白质和游离氨基酸含量的影响

为提供更合理的氮肥运筹和适宜播期以促进大麦的优质高产,以蒙啤1号、蒙啤3号、甘啤4号、垦啤7号4个春大麦品种为试材,研究了不同施氮水平和播期处理下内蒙古东部灌区春大麦灌浆期间籽粒蛋白质含量和游离氨基酸含量及其与成熟期籽粒蛋白质含量的相关性。结果表明,随着播期的推迟,相同灌浆期4个品种的籽粒游离氨基酸含量和蛋白质含量均呈升高的趋势;随着施氮量的增加,相同灌浆期4个品种的籽粒游离氨基酸含量和蛋白质含量均呈先升高后降低的趋势。成熟期籽粒蛋白质含量与花后7d、28d和35d籽粒蛋白质含量呈显著或极显著正相关。逐步回归分析结果表明,影响成熟期籽粒蛋白质含量最大的是花后28d籽粒蛋白质含量,而通径分析结果显示,对成熟期籽粒蛋白质含量影响最大的是花后14d的籽粒蛋白质含量。成熟期籽粒蛋白质含量与灌浆期籽粒游离氨基酸含量的相关性均达到极显著水平,对成熟期籽粒蛋白质含量影响最大的是花后7d的游离氨基酸含量,其次是花后21d的游离氨基酸含量。     

施氮量对强筋小麦氮素积累和氮肥农学利用效率的影响

为探究冀东平原强筋小麦高产优质高效的最佳施氮量,在大田选用石优20号和中麦998两个强筋小麦品种,设置施氮量0 (N_0)、180 (N_1)和240 (N_2)kg·hm~(-2),研究了施氮量对强筋小麦氮素积累、转运和氮肥农学利用效率的效应。结果表明,小麦花前氮素积累量占成熟期植株地上部总氮素积累量的59%～66%,花后占34%～41%。随施氮量增加,小麦植株花前氮素积累量和转运量均提高,叶是花前氮素积累和转运的主要器官。小麦籽粒灌浆过程中,营养器官的氮素积累量逐渐下降,籽粒氮素积累量逐渐提高,营养器官氮素转运高峰与籽粒氮素积累高峰一致,石优20号为花后14～21d,中麦998为花后7～21d。施氮量从180 kg·hm~(-2)增加到240kg·hm~(-2),石优20号和中麦998的产量分别提高了6.10%和7.58%,籽粒蛋白质含量分别提高了3.68%和3.73%,而氮肥农学利用效率分别降低了25.68%和23.93%。综上所述,促进花前氮素的积累和转运可提高强筋小麦蛋白质含量;适当减少施氮量可实现强筋小麦的提质增效。本试验条件下,冀东平原强筋小麦生产的适宜施氮量为180kg·hm~(-2)。     

Genotypic variation in linear rate of grain growth and contribution of stem reserves to grain yield in wheat

Grain growth in wheat depends on current photosynthesis and stem water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC). In semiarid regions with terminal drought, grain filling in wheat crops may depend more on stem WSC content than on current assimilates. Reduction in grain yield under drought is attributed to shorter duration of linear grain growth despite increased contribution of stem reserves to grain yield. The amount of stem reserves is measured either by changes in stem dry weight (indirect method) or by stem WSC content (direct method). Genotypic variation in the rate and duration of linear grain growth and in percent contribution of stem reserves to grain yield has not been evaluated in wheat. The objectives of this study were: (i) to quantify the relationship between the direct and indirect measurement of stem reserves during and across the grain-filling period and (ii) to measure the extent of genotypic variation in rate and duration of linear grain growth and in percent contribution of stem reserves to grain yield. Dry weight, WSC content and grain yield of the main stem were measured at 10-day intervals in 11 diverse wheat genotypes under well-watered and droughted-field conditions across 2 years. Drought reduced stem WSC content from 413 to 281 mg and grain yield from 4.6 to 2.5 t ha⁻¹. Stem WSC content and dry weight were positively correlated. Genotypic differences in linear rate of grain growth were significant in well-watered (ranging from 48.9 to 72.4 mg spike⁻¹ day⁻¹) and in droughted-field (ranging from 33.2 to 59.9 mg spike⁻¹ day⁻¹) conditions. Drought, on average, reduced the linear rate and duration of grain growth by 20 and 50%, respectively. Reduction in linear rate ranged from 13 to 43%. The amount of current assimilates and stem reserves contributed to grain yield was reduced, respectively, by 54 and 11% under drought. Genotypic differences in percent contribution of stem reserves to grain yield were significant in well-watered (ranging from 19.1 to 53.6%) and in droughted-field (ranging from 36.6 to 65.4%) conditions. The wheat genotypes responded differently to drought. Main spike grain yield was reduced by 43% under drought due to 26 and 11% reduction in grain weight and number of grains, respectively. Grain yield was correlated with linear grain growth under well-watered (r = 0.96) and droughted (r = 0.83) conditions. The genotypic variation observed indicates that breeding for a higher rate of linear grain growth and greater contribution of stem reserves to grain yield should be possible in wheat to stabilize grain yield in stressful environments.     

源库改变对小麦籽粒淀粉和蛋白质积累及面粉品质的影响

选用不同蛋白质含量的小麦品种。通过去穗和去旗叶研究了源库改变对小麦籽粒淀粉和蛋白质积累以及面粉品质的影响,以期为小麦品质调优技术提供理论依据。结果表明。去穗和去旗叶均使干物质积累和穗粒重减少,去穗处理增加单粒重,提高淀粉和蛋白质积累量,而去旗叶处理则相反。去穗和去旗叶处理降低了营养器官氮素和干物质积累量,但去旗叶处理促进了茎秆和穗壳中氮素和干物质转运量,而去穗处理则相反。籽粒氨基酸含量表现为去穗〉CK〉去旗叶,扬麦9号籽粒蛋白质含量与氨基酸趋势一致,而徐州26蛋白质含量为CK〉去穗〉去旗叶,表明氨基酸水平对蛋白质合成有重要作用。但不同品种反应有所不同。去旗叶处理显著降低面筋含量。但却提高了面筋指数和沉淀值,而去穗处理则相反。表明去旗叶处理在一定程度上改善了面粉品质。     

施氮对花后遮光条件下小麦产量与蛋白质含量的影响

为探讨施氮对花后弱光逆境下小麦籽粒产量和蛋白质含量的影响,选用2个对弱光敏感性不同的小麦品种(济麦22和济核916),设置3个施氮水平(0、120和240 kg·hm-2),在花后遮去60％的自然光条件下研究了施氮量对小麦籽粒产量与蛋白质含量的调控效应.结果 表明,增施氮肥可延缓花后遮光条件下两个小麦品种旗叶叶绿素下降...     

Effects of Application of N,P And K Alone Or In Combination on Growth,Yield And Curcumin Content of Turmeric(Curcuma Longa L.)

Abstract

The effect of nitrogen (N) application rates at active tillering and anthesis on grain yield and protein content of a bread wheat cultivar, ‘Minaminokaori’, was examined in the field study conducted in Fukuoka, Japan. Number of spikes, leaf area index (LAI), and SPAD value at anthesis increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing N application rate at active tillering. Grain yield also increased significantly (P < 0.05) because of the increased number of spikes. However, grain yield did not increase significantly (P > 0.05) with increasing N application rate at anthesis. The slope of the relationship between N application rate at active tillering and grain yield was about 3 times that of the relationship between N application rate at anthesis and grain yield. These results indicate that N application at active tillering is more effective than N application at anthesis for increasing grain yield. Increasing N application rate at active tillering and anthesis generally increased grain protein content. However, the slope of the relationship between N application rate at anthesis and grain protein content was about 2 times that of the relationship between N application rate at active tillering and grain protein content. These results indicate that N application at anthesis is more effective than N application at active tillering for increasing grain protein content. The interaction between N application rates at active tillering and anthesis was significant (P < 0.05) for grain protein content. With the application of 4 g N m^–2 at active tillering, grain protein content increased linearly at a rate of about 0.5% per 1 g N m^–2 (from 10.9% to 14.0%) with increasing N application rate (from 0 to 6 g N m^–2) at anthesis. However, the rate of increase in grain protein content with increasing N application rate at anthesis was greater with 0 g N m^–2 at active tillering than that with 4 g N m^–2 at active tillering, whereas that with 8 g N m^–2 at active tillering was smaller than that with 4 g N m^–2 at active tillering. Application of 8 g N m^–2 at tillering resulted in the highest SPAD value at anthesis; this was followed by the results for 4 and 0 g N m^–2. Therefore, the SPAD value may be an important trait to decide N application rate at anthesis.     

氮素营养水平对小麦开花后碳素同化、运转和产量的影响

在大田高产条件下 ,研究了氮素营养水平对二个小麦品种开花后碳素同化、运转和产量的影响。结果表明 ,提高氮素营养水平可以提高开花后旗叶叶绿素含量和光合速率 ,延长光合速率高值持续时间。适量增施氮肥能够促进开花后营养器官贮存的光合产物向籽粒中的运转 ,提高籽粒可溶性糖含量 ,促进淀粉积累 ,进而提高粒重 ,增加产量     

施氮量对强筋小麦物质积累与籽粒产量的影响

为探究冀东地区强筋小麦适宜施氮量,选用2个强筋小麦品种津农7号(氮高效型)和中麦998(氮低效型)为试验材料,设置0 kg·hm^-2(N₀)、180 kg·hm^-2(N₁)、210 kg·hm^-2(N₂)和240 kg·hm^-2(N₃)4个施氮量处理,研究施氮量对强筋小麦籽粒产量和干物质与氮素积累转运的影响。结果表明,在N₀～N₂处理范围内,2个强筋小麦品种的籽粒产量、花前干物质转运量和氮素转运量随施肥量增加均显著增加,N₃处理下2品种的籽粒产量和花前氮素转运量较N₂处理无显著变化,说明适量施氮可促进强筋小麦氮素转运与籽粒产量的提高。增加施氮量可促进花前干物质向籽粒的转运,津农7号的干物质转运率高于中麦998,2个品种的花后干物质对籽粒的贡献率为60.59%～77.16%,说明小麦籽粒产量主要来源于花后干物质积累。2个品种开花...     

不同施肥条件下的小麦籽粒代谢组学研究

为探究不同肥料对小麦籽粒代谢物的影响,通过非靶向代谢组学结合气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC-MS)与多元统计学的方法,对不同施肥条件下(常规施肥CK、缓控释肥一次性基施E、有机肥缓控释肥配施A、缓控释肥B、专家系统推荐施肥NE)的中信麦99籽粒代谢物进行分析。结果显示,从小麦籽粒中共检测到代谢物47种,主要为有机酸类、氨基酸类、糖类及其衍生物、酯类和其他有机物。与CK相比,B、E处理对促进小麦籽粒中有机酸类代谢物积累的效果较优,B、A处理对促进小麦籽粒中糖类代谢物积累的效果较优,B、NE处理对促进小麦籽粒中氨基酸类代谢物积累的效果较优;B、NE处理对促进小麦籽粒中总代谢物含量积累的效果最优,E处理效果次之,A处理效果最差。不同施肥处理对小麦籽粒代谢物中糖类和氨基酸类代谢物影响较大,通过富集20种差异代谢物,得到3条显著变化的代谢途径,分别为氨酰基-tRNA的生物合成,苯丙氨酸、酪氨酸和色氨酸的生物合成,异喹啉生物碱的生物合成。     

Effects of Seeding Rate and Nitrogen Application Rate on Grain Yield and Protein Content of the Bread Wheat Cultivar ‘Minaminokaori’ in Southwestern Japan

Abstract

We examined the effects of seeding rate, 50 or 150 seeds m-², nitrogen (N) application rate at active tillering and jointing, 4 and 2 g N m-², respectively, or none, and N application rate at anthesis, 0, 2, 4, or 6 g N m-², on grain yield and protein content of a bread wheat cultivar, ‘Minaminokaori’, during the 2004–2005 crop season in southwestern Japan. Grain yield was similar at a seeding rate of 50 and 150 seeds m-². It was higher when 4 and 2 g N m-² were applied at active tillering and jointing, respectively (4–2N), than when no N was applied at these stages (0–0N). However, it was not influenced by N application rate at anthesis. Grain protein content was similar at 50 and 150 seeds m-². It was higher in 4–2N than in 0–0N. It was the highest when 6 g N m-² was applied at anthesis, followed by 4, 2, and 0 g N m-². The SPAD value at anthesis was higher at 50 than 150 seeds m-², but leaf area index (LAI) at anthesis was similar at 50 and 150 seeds m-² and protein content of grain was nearly the same at 50 and 150 seeds m-² irrespective of N application rate at anthesis. LAI and the SPAD value were higher in 4–2N than in 0–0N and the protein content of grain was also higher in 4–2N than in 0–0N irrespective of N application rate at anthesis. Therefore, both LAI and the SPAD value may be important traits related to the N application rate at anthesis suitable for yielding wheat grain with a high protein content.     

不同品质类型小麦籽粒游离氨基酸、蛋白质及其组分的动态变化

为了解小麦氮素营养代谢的动态变化规律,给优质专用小麦品种选育与应用提供科学依据,选用不同品质类型的四个小麦品种(系)济南17、PH82-2-2、PH97-4、PH97-5,在两种施氮水平和两种追肥时期下研究了籽粒游离氨基酸、蛋白质及其组分的动态变化.结果表明,籽粒发育初期游离氨基酸含量高,随籽粒发育其含量逐渐下降;蛋白质含量积累呈现"高-低-高"的变化趋势,品种之间差异显著,成熟期蛋白质含量高的品种一般有较高的游离氨基酸和蛋白质积累水平.不同品质类型小麦籽粒蛋白质组分含量变化动态基本一致,灌浆初期清蛋白含量较高,随籽粒发育逐渐下降,灌浆中后期下降趋缓;球蛋白总体含量水平较低,随籽粒发育缓慢下降,灌浆末期略有上升.醇溶蛋白在籽粒发育前期积累较少,花后14 d快速积累;谷蛋白在花后7 d已有一定的积累,随后其含量逐渐上升,强筋高蛋白品种有较高的醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白积累水平,在成熟籽粒蛋白质中谷蛋白和醇溶蛋白所占比例也高,弱筋低蛋白品种有相对较低的醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白积累,醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白所占比例也低.     

冬小麦碳氮积累、转运和籽粒产量对小花发育期追氮的响应

为给冬小麦高产优质栽培过程中氮肥的合理调控提供参考依据,通过河南郑州和兰考两点大田试验,分别在总施氮量240和180 kg·hm^-2下,以全部基施为对照,进行基施和追施各50%施氮处理［追肥时期分别在返青期(二棱末期)、返青后10 d(护颖原基分化期)、20 d(雌雄蕊原基分化期)和30 d(雌蕊凹期)］,探讨了小花发育期施氮对两种穗型冬小麦碳、氮积累和转运及产量构成的影响。结果表明,在小花发育期追施氮肥均有利于花前碳、氮的贮藏积累和转运,且兰考矮早8品种贮藏碳、氮转运对籽粒的贡献率分别高于对照处理4.49和3.98个百分点,而豫麦49198品种分别高于对照处理1.68和0.47个百分点;两个品种花前贮藏氮素转运对籽粒的贡献率分别高于碳素42.97和38.47个百分点。在本试验条件下,在小花雌雄蕊原基分化期追施氮肥增加了兰考矮早8的千粒重和豫麦49198的穗粒数,且追肥处理的穗粒数、千粒重和籽粒产量显著高于其他处理,氮素积累和转运的增加也显著提高了籽粒蛋白质含量和产量。根据本研究结果,在总施氮量180~240 kg·hm^-2下,采取基施和小花雌雄蕊原基分化期追施氮肥各50%,提高了籽粒产量和蛋白质产量。     

施氮量对高产小麦光合特性、干物质积累分配与产量的影响

为明确山东省高产麦区高产节肥高效的施氮量,以高产小麦品种济麦22和烟农1212为材料,在大田试验测墒补灌条件下,设置0(N0)、180(N1)、210(N2)、240 kg·hm~(-2)(N3)四个施氮量水平,研究施氮量对小麦旗叶光合特性、干物质积累分配和籽粒产量的影响。结果表明,适量施氮可显著提高灌浆中后期旗叶的叶绿素相对含量、净光合速率、蒸腾效率和气孔导度,增加拔节期至成熟期小麦的干物质积累量,提高干物质在籽粒中的分配量及其对籽粒产量的贡献率;与不施氮肥处理相比,施氮180～240 kg·hm~(-2)时,济麦22增产10.1%～28.2%,烟农1212增产27.1%～42.8%。在同一施氮处理下,开花期至成熟期,烟农1212的干物质积累量比济麦22高12.77%～19.92%;花后14～28 d,烟农1212的旗叶净光合速率比济麦22高8.61%～24.11%;灌浆期间,烟农1212花前营养器官贮藏干物质向籽粒的转运量比济麦22高6.10%～11.68%,花后光合同化物积累量比济麦22高12.63%～22.00%,籽粒产量增加12.73%～19.46%。说明适量施氮有利于灌浆中后期小麦旗叶保持较高的光合性能,促进花后光合同化物的积累和向籽粒的分配,发挥品种的高产潜力。当施氮量为210 kg·hm~(-2)时,济麦22和烟农1212的籽粒产量、氮肥农学效率和氮肥偏生产力均最高,是该试验条件下的最优施氮量。     

Effects of Restricted Water Availability and Increased Temperature on the Grain Filling, Drying and Quality of Winter Wheat

Experiments in controlled environments examined the effects of the timing and severity of drought, and increased temperature, on grain development of Hereward winter wheat. Environmental effects on grain specific weight, protein content, Hagberg Falling Number, SDS-sedimentation volume, and sulphur content were also studied. Drought and increased temperature applied before the end of grain filling shortened the grain filling period and reduced grain yield, mean grain weight and specific weight. Grain filling was most severely affected by drought between days 1–14 after anthesis. Protein content was increased by stresses before the end of grain growth, because nitrogen harvest index was less severely affected than was dry matter harvest index. Hagberg Falling Number was increased to the greatest extent by stresses applied 15–28 days after anthesis. Treatment effects on grain sulphur content were similar to those on protein content, such that N:S ratio was not significantly affected by drought nor temperature stresses. The effects of restricted water on grain yield and quality were linearly related to soil moisture between 44 and about 73% field capacity (FC) from days 15–28. Drought stress (but not temperature stress) before the end of grain filling decreased SDS-sedimentation volume relative to drought applied later.     

Contribution of main stem and tillers to durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) grain yield and its components grown in Mediterranean environments

Under terminal drought conditions, cereal varieties with limited tillering have been suggested to be advantageous, because they have fewer nonproductive tillers, thereby limiting water consumption prior to anthesis. In this study, four field trials were conducted over two growing seasons in southern Spain, under rainfed and irrigated conditions. Twenty-five genotypes were studied to evaluate the contribution of the main stem (MS) and tillers to grain yield and its components. Significant differences were found among genotypes for these contributions under non-stressed environments, but these differences were not significant under water-stress conditions. The contribution of the MS to plant grain yield was higher than that of tillers (68% vs. 32%) and was stable between years in irrigated trials. However, in the rainfed trials, MS contributed differently depending on year-to-year climate variations. Thus, under favorable weather conditions the contribution of MS to grain yield was higher than in the unfavorable year (85% vs. 59%). In irrigated environments, MS and tiller grain yield depended on the number of grains per spike, spikelets per spike, and thousand kernel weight (TKW). Under water-limited conditions, MS yield depended on the number of grains per spike and grains per spikelet, whereas the number of spikelets and TKW had less influence on MS grain yield. Furthermore, under water-stress conditions, high tillering genotypes showed yield levels similar to the genotypes with restricted tillering. Additionally, there was no significant evidence of a positive or negative effect of maximum tiller number on grain yield under rainfed conditions.     

Evaluation of CIMMYT conventional and synthetic spring wheat germplasm in rainfed sub-tropical environments. II. Grain yield components and physiological traits

CIMMYT hexaploid spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm has played a global role in assisting wheat improvement. This study evaluated four classes of CIMMYT germplasm (encompassing a total of 273 lines), along with 15 Australian cultivars (Oz lines) for grain yield, yield components and physiological traits in up to 27 environments in Australia's north-eastern region, where terminal drought frequently reduces grain yield and grain size.Broadly-adapted CIMMYT germplasm selected for grain yield had greater yield potential and improved performance under drought stress, being up to 5% greater yielding in High-yielding (mean yield 429 g m⁻²) and 4-10% greater yielding than adapted Oz lines in Low-yielding environments (mean yield 185 g m⁻²). Whilst maintaining statistically similar harvest index and spikes m⁻² compared to broadly-adapted Oz lines across all environments, sets of selected CIMMYT lines had greater canopy temperature depression (0.18-0.27 °C), dry weight stem⁻¹ (0.20-0.37 g), increased grains spike⁻¹ (0.8-3.4 grains), grain number m⁻² (ca. 20-800 grains), and maturity biomass (56-83 g m⁻²). Compared to selected Oz lines, broadly-adapted CIMMYT lines had a smaller reduction in Low compared to High-yielding environments for these traits, especially dry weight stem⁻¹, such that CIMMYT lines had ca. 25% and 10% greater dry weight stem⁻¹ than the Oz lines in Low- and High-yielding environment groups, respectively. Broadly-adapted CIMMYT germplasm also had slightly higher stem water soluble carbohydrate concentration at anthesis (ca. 6 mg g⁻¹), which contributed to their higher grain weight (ca. 0.5 mg grain⁻¹), and maintained an agronomically appropriate time to anthesis and plant height. Thus current CIMMYT germplasm should be useful donor sources of traits to enrich breeding programs targeting variable production environments where there is a high probability of water deficit during grain filling. However, as multiple traits were important, efficient introgression of these traits in breeding programs will be complex.     

The effect of a chemical hybridizing agent on the morphology and chemical composition of annual ryegrass

A chemical hybridizing agent (CHA: WL 84811, azetidine-carboxylic acid. Shell Chemical) was applied to annual ryegrass ( Lolium rigidum Gaud. cv. Wimmera) at four levels: 0, 1·6, 2·4 and 3·2 kg active ingredient (a.i.) ha⁻¹, at booting and at anthesis with a view to reducing seed set and increasing the proportion of cell solubles in the senescing and dead plants. The CHA treatments reduced stem elongation by up to 40% and reduced the proportion of pollinated florets progressively according to the concentration of CHA. At 3·2 kg (a.i.) ha⁻¹ only 14% of florets were fertilized compared with 86% on the zero (control) treatment.
The CHA treatments also resulted in progressive increases in the number of secondary tillers. Since there was no increase in the amount of neutral-detergent solubles associated with increased CHA application, it was concluded that storage carbohydrates, which might otherwise have been directed towards seed development, were partitioned towards increased tillering. There was no effect, therefore, on the proportion of neutral-detergent soluble material in senescing and dead plants.     

Metabolite profiling of the response to high-nitrogen fertilizer during grain development of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat yield and quality are dependent largely on nitrogen (N) availability. In this study, we performed the first metabolomic analysis of the response to high-N fertilizer during wheat grain development using non-targeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Quality parameter analyses demonstrated that high-N fertilizer application led to a significant increase in grain protein content and improvement in starch and bread-making quality. Comparative metabolomic profiling of six grain developmental stages resulted in identification of 74 metabolites, including amino acids, carbohydrates, organic acids and lipids/alcohol, which are primarily involved in carbon and N metabolism. Under high-N fertilizer treatment, numerous metabolites accumulated significantly during grain development. Principal component analysis revealed two principal components as being responsible for the variances resulting from N-fertilizer treatments. Metabolite–metabolite correlation analysis demonstrated that the high-N treatment group had a greater number of positive correlations among metabolites, suggesting that high-N fertilizer treatment induced a concerted metabolic change that resulted in improved grain development. Particularly, the high-N treatment-mediated significant accumulation of metabolites involved in the TCA cycle, starch and storage protein synthesis could be responsible for the improvement of grain yield and quality. Our results provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms of wheat grain development and yield and quality.