Relationship between grain yield and grain nitrogen concentration in winter triticale

Summary Ten hexaploid winter triticale lines were grown for two cropping periods at three locations in western Switzerland. Averaged across the six environments, the differences between lines were statistically significant (P=0.05) for grain yield, above-ground biomass, N uptake, grain N yield, nitrogen harvest index, grain N concentration and straw N concentration. There were significant line x environment interactions for all traits. Grain yield and grain N concentration were inversely related (r=–0.74^**). Diagrams in which grain yields were plotted against grain N concentration were used to identify lines with a consistently unusual combination of grain yield and grain N concentration. Despite comparable grain yields, Line 3 had a high grain N concentration, while that of Line 7 was low. Line 3 was superior to Line 7 in both N uptake and N harvest index. Averaged across environments and lines, the N harvest index was 0.73 which corresponds to N harvest indices reported for bread wheat in the same region. We considered the feasibility of developing triticale lines which would outperform the best recent ones in N uptake and partitioning. However, we doubted that this would bring about a marked increase in grain N concentration, because, in the long run, the expected genetic progress in grain yield will lead to a dilution of grain protein by grain carbohydrate increments.Abbreviations GNC grain N concentration - GNY grain N yield - GY grain yield - HI above-ground dry matter harvest index - NHI nitrogen harvest index - SNC straw N concentration - TB total above-ground biomass - TPN total plant N     

四川盆地9000kg hm~(-2)产量潜力小麦品种的花后冠层结构、生理及同化物分配特性

四川盆地小麦高产育种取得了突破性进展,但高产生理研究相对滞后。本研究以2011—2015连续5年的田间试验,比较了高产和一般产量潜力品种花后群体冠层结构、主要生理指标和同化物的转运分配特性,旨在揭示四川小麦9000 kg hm-2高产品种的生理基础。选择代表性高产潜力品种和一般产量潜力品种各3个,高产潜力品种产量平均9422 kg hm~(-2),比一般产量潜力品种高14.3%,增产原因是生物量或收获指数的提高。相比一般产量潜力品种,高产潜力品种旗叶短且宽,长宽比低于10,开花初期至灌浆中期叶基角和开角增加明显。开花至灌浆后期,高产潜力品种顶三叶的SPAD值及花后0 d和20 d的群体光合速率显著高于一般产量潜力品种,群体光合速率以10:00–12:00的差异最大。此外,高产潜力品种在开花期茎鞘生物量所占比例较高,而成熟期籽粒所占比例较一般产量潜力品种高1~4个百分点。籽粒产量与小麦形态、生理参数关系密切,与灌浆期旗叶基角(r=0.947,P0.01)和倒二叶基角(r=0.963,P0.01)呈正相关,与旗叶长宽比(r=-0.913,P0.01)和倒二叶长宽比(r=-0.911,P0.01)呈负相关;与开花期顶三叶SPAD值呈正相关,r值分别为0.75、0.90和0.82(P0.01);与成熟期穗轴干重比例呈负相关(r=-0.956,P0.01)。本研究表明,株高适中、株型紧凑,花后冠层叶绿素含量和群体光合速率较高,以及合理的物质分配,是高产潜力品种获得高产的生理基础。     

Effects of Mild Temperature Stress on Grain Quality and Root and Straw Nitrogen Concentration in Malting Barley Cultivars

Abstract It is a challenge to obtain the appropriate protein concentration in cereals for the intended end‐use. This study examined ambient temperature effects on two spring malting barley cultivars (Henley and Tipple) grown in soil or in solution culture with controlled nitrogen supply in daylight chambers with low temperature (day 18 °C, night 12 °C), and high temperature (23 °C/17 °C) to/after anthesis. In soil‐grown plants, high temperature to anthesis resulted in higher grain nitrogen amount (GNA), grain nitrogen concentration (GNC) and straw nitrogen concentration (SNC). In plants grown in solution, high temperature to anthesis resulted in lower GNA and higher GNC. A temperature rise of 1 °C during the growing period in solution cultivation increased GNC, root nitrogen concentration (RNC) and SNC, by 1.20, 1.35 and 0.33 mg g^?1, respectively. In solution culture, GNC was positively correlated with RNC and SNC (P < 0.01). Cv. Henley had higher GNC but lower SNC than cv. Tipple. Cv. Henley was more stable in grain size and cv. Tipple in GNC. The results showed that temperature has a direct effect on GNC. Accounting for temperature fluctuations up to the latest possible nitrogen fertilisation occasion can therefore help when deciding appropriate nitrogen supply for intended end‐use.     

不同产量水平稻茬小麦氮素需求特征研究

It is necessary to clarify the nitrogen (N) demand characteristics with yield levels for wheat after rice in the middle and down reaches of the Yangtze River, which could provide theoretical basis for N fertilizer management. Based-on the multi-years and multi-sites wheat experiments in Jiangsu province, this study constructed the datasets of different yield levels derived from different varieties, N rates, densities, and sowing date experiments. N indicators including N requirement per ton grain (N_req), dry matter accumulation (DMA), plant N accumulation (PNA), plant N concentration (PNC), straw N concentration (SNC), grain N concentration (GNC), harvest index (HI), N harvest index (NHI) and N nutrition index (NNI) were analyzed. The results showed that there were not significant differences in N_req among the different yield levels, and the highest N_req was middle-low yield with 27.8 kg t^-1, while the lowest value was 24.8 kg t^-1for low yield level. With the increase of yield levels, DMA, PNA and PNC all showed a gradually increasing trend during maturity stage, and there were significant differences among the different yield levels. There was a significant positive correlation between grain yield and PNA, the DMA and PNA increased with the increase of yield in the sowing-jointing stage, jointing-flowering stage and flowering-maturing stage, but the DMA and PNA proportion in different growth stages showed different trends. The SNC and GNC increased with the increase of yield levels. For SNC, there was no significant difference between the high yield and middle yield level, but it was significantly higher than the low-middle and low yield level. For GNC, there were significant differences among different yield levels except for the middle and low-middle yield level. The HI increased gradually with the increase of the yield levels, and its range was 0.39-0.49. The HI for low-middle and low yields were significantly lower than that of middle and high yield levels, while there were not significant differences in NHI among different yield levels. Its variation range was 0.60-0.96. The NNI gradually increased with the increase of the yield levels, and there was significant difference between different yield levels. The NNI of the high-yield level was higher, and some of the values were greater than 1 which indicating that some experiments had excessive nitrogen fertilizer supply. With the increase of the yield level, the N_req increased first and then decreased, while the DMA, PNA, PNC, SNC, and GNC were gradual increased. The increase of SNC was higher than the GNC, therefore, the extravagant absorption of N by wheat should be avoided in field management. The variation ranges of the HI and NHI were consistent with previous studies. The higher DMA and PNA in the late growth stages were the main reasons for the high yield of wheat. The NNI could be a promising indictor in the field N management of wheat.     

The use of grain protein deviation for identifying wheat cultivars with high grain protein concentration and yield

The relationship between grain protein concentration and grain yield in different cultivars of winter wheat was examined in a series of field experiments carried out over three years, in which 13, 12 and 8 cultivars were studied in each year, respectively. The plants were grown at sites located in Shropshire, west-central England, in years 1 and 2, and at three other locations in eastern England in year 3. Above ground plant samples were collected at an thesis and again at maturity, when they were separated into grain and straw, and analysed for dry matter and N content. Analysis of residuals from regression of grain protein concentration on grain yield (grain protein deviation, GPD) showed that some cultivars had a higher grain protein concentration than was predicted from grain yield alone. It was deduced that the capacity to accumulate a higher grain protein concentration than predicted from grain yield is under genetic control and thus may be improved through breeding. Other factors (weight of N accumulated in the biomass at anthesis, weight of N accumulated in the biomass between anthesis and maturity and the concentration of N remaining in the straw at maturity) were added step-wise into the regression to enable statistical analysis of their relative contributions to grain protein. High GPD may be achieved through increased N accumulation after anthesis, combined with efficient re-translocation of vegetative N reserves. The use of GPD provides a selection criteria in wheat breeding programs to screen for increased grain protein concentration without a concurrent grain yield reduction. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nitrogen uptake and nitrogen harvest index in durum wheat cultivars varying in their grain protein concentration

Summary In a field experiment, plant (excluding roots) and grain nitrogen at harvest were estimated in 15 durum wheat cultivars varying in their grain protein concentration. They showed significant variation in grain yield, grain protein concentration, biological yield, total plant nitrogen at harvest and residual nitrogen in straw. Harvest index and nitrogen harvest index were calculated from this primary data. Nitrogen harvest index varied from 57 to 83%. Plant nitrogen showed significant positive correlation with biological yield, grain yield and grain protein yield, but the correlations with grain protein concentration, harvest index and nitrogen harvest index were not significant. Nitrogen harvest index was positively correlated with harvest index indicating that the distribution of N between straw and grain to a large extent, but not entirely, depends upon the partitioning of dry matter between the two. Grain protein concentration was neither correlated significantly to plant nitrogen nor to nitrogen harvest index.     

稻茬小麦氮高效品种产量构成和群体质量特征

在稻麦两熟条件下,将2016—2017和2017—2018年江苏扬州参试的24个和江苏睢宁参试的23个小麦品种按氮肥表观利用率(NUR)划分为高效(NUR≥50%)、中效(NUR 40%～50%)和低效(NUR≤40%)品种类型,比较其产量、产量构成因素和群体质量指标的差异,为稻茬小麦品种选用和大面积高产高效生产提供参考。结果表明,两年度在扬州均表现出高效的品种为扬麦25和宁麦21,在睢宁为淮麦35。扬州和睢宁氮高效品种产量分别高于6500 kg hm^-2和7000 kg hm^-2,均显著高于其他类型。与氮中效和氮低效品种相比,氮高效品种具有较高的穗数,穗粒数和千粒重品种类型间差异不显著。不同品种间产量和穗数与NUR均呈线性正相关。氮高效品种具有较高的孕穗期和开花期茎蘖数,分蘖成穗率,乳熟期叶面积指数,孕穗期、开花期和成熟期干物质积累量,花后干物质积累量和成熟期各营养器官干物质积累量。不同氮效率品种类型间花前干物质转运量和收获指数差异不显著。相关性分析表明,两地不同品种类型间孕穗期和开花期茎蘖数、乳熟期LAI、主要生育时期干物质积累量、花后和...     

Nitrogen Accumulation and Translocation for Winter Wheat under Different Irrigation Regimes

The translocation of pre‐anthesis nitrogen to the grain is an important source for winter wheat. The relation between the nitrogen translocation and irrigation regime was studied in the field under a rain‐proof trough shelter. Nitrogen (N) translocation amount, N translocation efficiency decreased with a decline in irrigation amount or by excessive irrigation. Compared with different organs, the leaf and stem had higher N translocation amounts, and contributions to grain for both cultivars – Jinan 17 and Lumai 21, indicating that stem also is a major N source for grain development. The contribution of pre‐anthesis total above ground N to grain N ranged from 57 to 76 %, indicating the importance of pre‐anthesis storage of N for achieving high grain N concentrations. Grain nitrogen and yield (kg ha^?1) were positively and significantly correlated with the N translocation amounts and contributions, respectively, suggesting that the sink strength may be involved in the translocation of N from a vegetative organ to the grain. N harvest index (NHI) was significantly correlated with N translocation efficiency, suggesting that the latter is a prerequisite for increasing grain N and improving grain quality. The experiment showed that N translocation status is enhanced by better irrigation practices, but limited by severely deficient or excessive irrigation.     

Nitrogen Partitioning in Entire Plants of Different Spring Wheat Cultivars

The aim of this study was to investigate nitrogen partitioning in entire plants, including roots, of spring wheat in two temperature regimes during grain filling. Six cultivars, genetically different and with varying grain protein concentration, were grown in solution culture to full maturity. After anthesis, half the plants were grown in high temperature (23/17 °C, day/night) and half in low temperature (18/12 °C). Root nitrogen concentration was genetically influenced. The roots had ability to redistribute nitrogen to aboveground plant parts. At maturity the roots contained 10–20 % of the total nitrogen amount in the plants. Harvest index (HI) and harvest index for the entire plant (HI_tot) for cv. Heta were significantly higher at low temperature than at high. Cv. Heta had a rapid development rate from planting to maturity. Due to slow senescence at low temperature, cv. Kärn II showed lower HI and nitrogen harvest index (NHI) at low, compared with high, temperature. Cvs Kärn II and Sport showed higher nitrogen amount in the roots and shoots at low, compared with high, temperature. A negative correlation was found between NHI and NHI_tot vs. root weight, total shoot weight and root N amount. Because of the latter correlation, breeding for low root N concentration is suggested.     

Progress since the 1930s in Breeding for Yield, its Components, and Quality Traits of Spring Wheat in Finland

The contribution of improvements in morphophysiological traits to increased gram yield in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and the achievements of breeding for high bread-making quality in Finland since the 1930s were assessed. Ten wheat cultivars released in Finland between 1939 and 1990 were evaluated in Held experiments at the Viikki Experimental Farm, University of Helsinki, Finland (60°13′N) in 1991 and 1992. Twenty-two traits representing maturity, plant architecture, plant stand structure and N accumulation, and nine quality traits, including protein concentration and protein quality, were assessed. A 20 % increase in grain yield arising from cultivar improvement was associated with a 7 % reduction in height, an 80 % improvement in lodging resistance, and a 15 % higher harvest index (HI). Ear weight was 30 % higher in the modern cultivars. The higher ear weight of the modern cultivars was a result of more grains per ear and a higher spikelet weight. No decrease in vegetative phytomass in modern cultivars was recorded in this study. Grain yield and total N accumulation increased simultaneously and a positive correlation between year of cultivar release and nitrogen index was established. Although use of high N fertilizer application rates resulted in significantly improved baking quality of the flour, no trend between baking quality and year of cultivar release was recorded. The relatively low HI recorded in this study suggests that further yield increases art-likely to be achieved by selecting for higher HI.     

Levels of phenotypic variation for developmental traits in landrace genotypes of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. Turgidum L. conv. durum (Desf.) MK.) from Jordan

Summary A germplasm collection comprising 132 landrace genotypes of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum) ssp. turgidum L. conv. durum (Desf.) MK., from 10 districts in Jordan was evaluated for days to booting (DB), days to heading (DH), days to anthesis (DA), days to maturity (DM), filling period (FP) and grain yield (GY). In spite of the relatively strong genetic (Gr) and phenotypic (Pr) correlation coefficients between the developmental traits, the variation among genotypes was significant. GY was only positively and significantly correlated with DA and FP, while it was negatively correlated with DH. Genotypes with different combinations of early, medium and late developmental traits have been identified. Different combinations of DH and FP may or may not lead to differences in DM and GY. However, genotypes with long FP and medium-late DH gave the highest grain yield. Multiple linear regression of the duration of maturity (M) stage on the duration of booting (B), heading (H) and anthesis (A) stages (M = –260.87 + 2.09 B + 1.23 H + 0.9 A, R ² = 0.92) indicates that it is possible to manipulate the duration of these developmental stages and develop genotypes with high yield potential and early maturity, a highly desirable in drought-prone environments.     

Increase in grain protein percentage in high-yielding common wheat breeding lines by genes from wild tetraploid wheat

Summary Forty-one breeding lines of common wheat, derived from crosses between the Israeli cultivars Miriam and Lakhish and high-protein lines of wild tetraploid wheat, Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides, were tested for various protein and yield parameters in field trials, under typical agronomic conditions. All lines had a higher grain protein percentage (GPP) than the leading Israeli cultivar Deganit, which was grown as a control. Grain yield (GY) ranged in the breeding lines from a low of 2.44 t/ha to as high as that of Deganit (6.95 t/ha). Despite the weak negative correlation between GPP and GY, several lines excelled both in GPP and in GY. The grain protein yield (GPY) of some of these selected breeding lines was higher than that of Deganit; e.g., 1.19 t/ha in the best line vs. 1.02 t/ha in Deganit. The 16.7% increase in GPY in this line reflected a more efficient utilization of nitrogen.     

Dry Matter and Nitrogen Distribution at Maturity of Three Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars Exposed to Ammonia at Two Growth Stages

A substantial proportion of ammonical fertilizers applied to lowland rice is lost as gaseous N from the soil–plant system. Besides various environmental factors, the low N use efficiency of flooded rice is also attributed to this factor. As atmospheric ammonia found in the leaf environment of the plants could also be responsible for differences in N use efficiency and fertilizer N losses from lowland rice, a greenhouse study was conducted on three rice cultivars varying in physio-morphological characteristics for their dry matter and nitrogen distribution to grains at maturity in response to ammonia (NH₃) exposure at tillering and anthesis growth stages. The results revealed that ammonia exposure of plants at two growth stages did not affect the total dry matter and total N yield of the rice cultivars at maturity; however, the grain yield and grain N yield were negatively effected by NH₃ exposure of the plants at anthesis. The variation observed in dry matter and N partitioning at maturity to grains/roots of the plants exposed to NH₃ at anthesis indicated that the growth stage of the plants at which they are exposed to NH₃ has an influence on N use efficiency of crop plants and subsequent vegetative as well as total N losses from the soil–plant system.     

Relationship between Carbon Isotope Discrimination, Ash Content and Grain Yield in Wheat in the Peninsular Zone of India

Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) and ash content (m_a) have been proposed as indirect selection criteria for grain yield in wheat. The associations between Δ, m_a and grain yield were found, however, to depend highly on the environmental conditions, the organ sampled and the time of sampling. In this study, carried out in the warm conditions of the Peninsular Zone of India, the relationship between Δ, m_a and yield was studied in 30 bread and durum wheat cultivars under residual soil moisture stress (RSMS), post‐anthesis water stress (PAWS) and well‐watered (WW) conditions. Both Δ and m_a were analysed in young seedlings (four‐leaf stage), leaves at anthesis and grain at maturity. Ash content was also evaluated in leaves at booting stage and maturity. Grain Δ was lower under PAWS and RSMS than under WW, while seedling and leaf Δ did not significantly differ among water regimes. Grain yield was positively correlated to grain Δ under PAWS and negatively correlated to grain m_a under RSMS. A significant positive correlation was noted under RSMS and WW treatments between m_aL_m and grain yield. Ash content in leaf at maturity consequently appears to be a useful indirect selection criterion in environments where Δ does not show any correlation with yield. The results highlight the potential of Δ and m_a as indirect selection criteria for wheat yield in the conditions of the Peninsular Zone of India.     

Implications of selecting improved strains of soybeans for dry-matter accumulation and grain yield

Summary Three maturity groups of soybeans (Glycine max L.) were used to investigate the relationship between dry-matter accumulation (DMA) and grain yield (GY), and the prospects for selection of high seed yielding strains among the existing soybean cultivars in a tropical environment. The positive and significant association between DMA and GY (r=0.888^***) indicated that selection for high DMA could give gains in GY. However, the higher harvest index (HI=37.5%) for the low seed yielding early maturing genotypes than the more vegetatively endowed and higher seed producing late maturity group, is an indication that excessive DMA could be disadvantageous. Total seed yield per land area for the three maturity groups of soybeans showed that the genotypes with high harvest index and low seed yield could be as good as those ones with high seed and dry-matter yields with low harvest index. The high coefficient of variation which ranged between 18.1 and 59.8% and the heritability estimations which also ranged from 34.4 to 82.2% are indicative of the presence of substantial genetic diversity and there are good prospects for the improvement of the crop through selection.     

不同施氮水平下两种品质类型小麦植株氮素形态的变化特征

籽粒氮素获取能力对提高小麦产量和品质非常重要。选用小麦品种豫麦47(高籽粒蛋白含量,15.5%)和豫麦50(籽粒蛋白含量12.4%),研究了不同施氮水平下小麦植株不同器官营养性N素（AN）、功能性N素（FN）和结构性N素（SN）的变化及其基因型差异。结果表明,花后籽粒从营养器官获取氮素的能力以及利用营养器官氮素形成产量的能力,高蛋白品种豫麦47均显著高于低蛋白品种豫麦50。施氮水平对3类N素含量的影响小于品种效应,且3类N素的品种间差异在花后显著大于花前。在叶片和茎秆中,豫麦50的AN含量从拔节至灌浆期持续下降,而豫麦47持续升高;籽粒中,豫麦50的AN含量花后表现下降（由1.98~2.35 mg g^–1下降到1.38~1.70 mg g^–1）,而豫麦47先降（由5.51~5.70 mg g^–1陡降至花后17 d时的1.15~1.38 mg g^–1）后升（由1.15~1.38 mg g^–1缓慢上升至成熟时的1.29~3.29 mg g^–1）。FN含量,两品种间在叶片和茎秆中的差异不显著。SN含量,在叶片和茎秆中两品种不同生育阶段变化趋势基本相同,均先升后降,以开花期最高,但豫麦47比豫麦50花后表现大幅度的显著下降;在籽粒中,两品种均呈现一定的下降趋势。但豫麦47开花时SN含量（3.70%~4.28%）极显著高于豫麦50（1.38%~1.74%）,因此,其花后下降幅度也极显著大于豫麦50,3个施氮水平下成熟期比开花期豫麦47分别下降49%、49%和49%,而豫麦50仅下降7%、23%和21%。说明豫麦47籽粒比豫麦50具有较强的从营养器官获取氮素的能力,其开花时籽粒具有较高的SN含量,胚及胚乳细胞分裂对AN的需求较大,为籽粒从营养器官获取较多氮素提供了较大的“源动力”。SN合成决定着氮素的流动方向,是驱使氮素流动的重要因素;叶片和茎秆SN的分解物是花后转运氮素的主要来源。     

An Analysis of Grain Development in Oryza sativa L. Cultivars

A field study was conducted to determine if differences in grain filling rate and duration existed in two early cultivars of rice. There is no cultivar difference in duration of grain filling and grain matured in about 30 days from anthesis in both the cultivars. The effective grain filling period in rice is only 10 days between 3rd and 13th day from anthesis. There is significant difference in grain filling rate and is positively related to grain weight. Grain filling rate is more important than duration of filling for achieving higher grain size and thus yield in rice.     

Genetic gain in yield and changes associated with physiological traits in Brazilian wheat during the 20th century

The objective of this study was to characterize physiologically wheat cultivars released in different decades and identify selection criteria for the continued genetic progress in Brazil. Ten cultivars released from 1940 up to 2009 were tested during 2010 and 2011 crop seasons. The following traits were evaluated: grain yield (GY), thousand-kernel weight (TKW), grain number per m⁻² (GN), plant height (PH), harvest index (HI), above-ground biomass (BIO), relative Chlorophyll content and leaf gas exchanges. The increase in grain yield was 29 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ a genetic gain of 0.92%, annually. Grain yield improvement was largely associated with HI (0.94^**), number of grains m⁻² (0.93^**), BIO (0.88^**) and reduced PH (−0.93^**). The post-anthesis Chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and pre/post-anthesis photosynthetic rate were positively correlated with GY. Genetic gains of Brazilian wheat are mainly related to the increases of HI, GN, and BIO. These improvements were achieved by reducing PH and raising gas exchanges and chlorophyll content.     

Effects of Nitrogen and Plant Density on Growth, Yield and Chemical Composition of Two Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars

A field study was conducted on the winter wheat cultivars Arminda and Okapi , using two seed rates (80 and 160 kg/ha) and three N applications (40, 80 and 120 kg/ha).
The cultivars did not differ in total dry matter production but did differ in grain yield. The difference in grain yield was mainly attributable to a higher harvest index (HI).
Increased plant density reduced HI; it resulted in more shoots per m², but in a lower grain yield. The reduction in grain yield was caused by fewer kernels per ear and a lower 1000-grain weight in both cultivars.
A higher rate of N increased total dry matter production and grain yield, except in Okapi at the high plant density. The number of kernels per ear increased, but 1000-grain weight fell.
The higher the N applications, the higher the N-content of the roots was.
Total N yield was greater in Arminda than in Okapi. The cultivars differed in the amount of nitrogen they took up after anthesis.
The content of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) differed between the cultivars, N treatments and growth stages. Carbohydrate formed before anthesis accounted for 23 % of Arminda's grain yield and for 10 % of Okapi's grain yield.
The content of cell-wall constituents (CWC) depended on cultivar, growth stage and the rate of the N dressing. Differences in CWC were more pronounced in Arminda than in Okapi. During leaf, stem and ear development there was a strong increase in content and amount of CWC. Concomitantly, WSC decreased. This implies that a large consumption of WSC is necessary for the formation of CWC. The competition for the WSC, necessary for CWC and shoot and ear development influences kernel initiation. Per unit of dry matter Okapi contained more CWC than Arminda. This was not in agreement with differences in straw sturdiness.     

Phosphorus Accumulation and Translocation in Wheat as Affected by Cultivar and Nitrogen Fertilization

To improve nutrient management strategies in wheat more information is needed about the interaction effects among nutrients in their uptake and redistribution in the plants, in relation to different genotypes. Therefore, two bread ( T. aestivum L.) and two durum ( T. durum Desf.) winter wheat cultivars were grown in the field for 2 years (1986, 1987) in a silty-clay soil under different nitrogen (N) levels, in Northern Greece. Nitrogen at a rate of 150 kg ha⁻¹ was applied before planting or 100 kg ha⁻¹ before planting and then 50 kg ha⁻¹ at early boot stage. Cultivar differences in phosphorus (p) concentration were observed only in vegetative parts but not in the grain. Maximum p accumulation was observed either at anthesis or at maturity. During grain filling dry matter and p accumulation in the grain followed almost the same pattern. Phosphorus translocation efficiency of the cultivars at the 2 years ranged from 70.7 to 84.3 % and the amount of p in the grain derived from translocation 52 to 100 %. Phosphorus translocation efficiency was weakly correlated with p content in grain only in 1986, while phosphorus harvest index (PHI) was positively correlated with harvest indst (HI) both years (r = 0.82** in 1986 and 0.75** in 1987). Nitrogen application mainly affected p accumulation of the cultivars via its effect on biomass production. The split N application promoted slightly the p uptake in 1987 and this resulted in the reduction of both the contribution of the translocated p to the grain and the efficiency of p utilization for total biomass. Results indicated that p accumulation and translocation and the efficiency of p utilization in wheat were mainly determined by the genotype in relation to environmental condition of growth.