Partitioning of phosphorus in different height isolines of winter wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yields and composition are influenced greatly by P and its interactions with other nutrients. Because most P in grain, like N, is remobilized from vegetative parts, high harvest index of dwarf wheats may adversely influence partitioning of P to grain. Isogenic tall, single semidwarf, and double dwarf ‘Pawnee’ wheat lines were used to characterize P partitioning, P nutrition before and after anthesis, and relationship between P and N. Plants were grown in hydroponic cultures with three P levels; the first study determined P, N, and dry matter accumulation from anthesis to maturity, the second study determined the effect of withholding P after anthesis on P, N, and dry matter partitioning during grain development. Plants continued to absorb P when it was available after anthesis, but grain growth was influenced more by P nutrition before anthesis than after anthesis. Leaf blades, sheaths, and stems were major sources of P for grain growth when the nutrient was withheld and major sites of P accumulation when the nutrient was supplied after anthesis. Content of N in plants was favored by ample P levels. Dwarfing genes increased harvest index, but had little effect on P partitioning because of differences in dry matter accumulation.