Genetic variation for phosphorus-use efficiency in diverse wheat germplasm

Abstract

ABSTRACTPhosphorus (P) is the second most essential element for the growth and development of plants because of its role in vital biochemical reactions in the plant system. The positive response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to P and dwindling raw materials for P fertilizer necessitate identification of P-efficient cultivars of wheat. Thirty wheat genotypes consisting of bread, synthetic, and wild wheats were assessed for P-use efficiency (PUE) at two P levels for identification of P-use efficient and P-deficiency-tolerant genotypes. PUE was measured by recording agro-morphological traits and P concentration in straw and grains. T. dicoccoides, T. boeoticum acc. pau5147, and synthetic wheats derived from different Aegilops tauschii accessions were observed to be P-acquisition efficient, as indicated by shoot P uptake. Hexaploid wheat introgression lines pau16059, pau16063, pau16065, pau16066, and pau16067 were identified to be P-utilization efficient. Synthetic wheats from Ae. tauschii acc. pau14201, pau9796, pau14128, and pau14170; T. boeoticum acc. pau5147; T. dicoccoides acc. pau5366, pau7127, and pau7142; and hexaploid wheat lines pau16065, pau16066, pau16067, and pau16059 were found to be P-deficiency tolerant. Overall, wild germplasm was more efficient in uptake and accumulation of P in the shoots, and hexaploid wheats were more efficient in utilization of the accumulated P in realizing increased grain yields and PUE. These genotypes will be exploited for developing P-use efficient wheat cultivars and identifying genomic regions conditioning PUE.