Photosynthetic Response of Wheat to Soil Water Deficits in the Tropics

The changes in photosynthetic rate and translocation of photosynthates in winter wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) grown in lysimeters were studied, in response to periodic soil water deficit during late tillering and flowering stages. Soil water deficits were imposed to previously nonstressed plants during late tillering and flowering states. Timing of irrigation was scheduled according to the ratio between irrigation water applied and cumulative pan evaporation (IW/CPE) of 0.75 (low deficit), and 0.5 (moderate deficit), as well as by suspending irrigations after crown root initiation stage (severe deficit). To determine the rate of photosynthesis, a short radioactive pulse of ¹⁴CO₂ with 300 ppm concentration was given to second leaf from the top at tillering, and to the flag leaf at flowering stages for 20 second exposure time. The translocation of photosynthates was estimated by scanning ¹⁴C activity in different plant parts. In late tillering the midday Photosynthetic rate (PR) was significantly 3 mg CO₂ dm^?2 h^?1 lower under low water deficit (WD₁) than under zero water deficit (WD₀). Under higher stress conditions, soil water acted as a limiting factor to keep the rate from rising above 13.2 during stress at late tillering (WD₂), 14.5 flowering (WD₄), and 10.0 mg CO₂ dm^?2 h^?1 for stress at both the growth stages (WD₅), respectively. The difference in daily accumulated photosynthesis (8 h), between stressed and nonstressed were 15, 40, 42, and 77 mg CO₂ dm^?2 h^?1 respectively at WD₁ WD₂, WD₄, and WD₅. The retention of ¹⁴C in flag leaf decreased considerably after 24 hours of exposure time when the labelled assimilates were translocated in bulk to the ear head. Under stressed condition a general trend was observed for upward translocation of assimilates towards the ear, even from the stem and root. The percent ¹⁴C activity observed in ear after 24 hours was greatest in severely stressed plants. The photosynthetic rate is reasonable predicted by midday LDR and surface moisture.