Abstract
This study aimed at investigating genotypic variability in nitrogen (N) concentration and dry weight of wheat plant parts and their relation with grain yield and protein concentration. Sixteen Nordic and three Pakistani wheat genotypes were grown in controlled climate chambers. Plant parts such as shoot, roots and grains were collected after harvesting, weighed and N concentration was determined. The results showed a large genetic variation for dry weight and N concentration in the various plant parts. Grain weight (GW) was negatively correlated with biomass in the vegetative parts of the plant and with grain N concentration (GNC). A spread distribution was found among the investigated genotypes related with the correlation between different investigated parameters. From a breeding perspective, the genotypes APU and Moystad were of interest due to both a relatively high GW and GNC. Lanor, Saffran, Auqab and Lavett were interesting genotypes, the two first ones combining high GW, and the two last ones combining high GNC, with low RNC and high RW. By combining information of dry weight and N concentration in various plant parts of a genotype, options are increased for a successful breeding of environmentally sound cultivars with high grain yield and high grain protein concentration.
Highlights
Grain yield and grain protein concentration are among the most important characters in wheat production (Kramer, 1979; Groos et al, 2003)
The results showed a large genetic variation for dry weight and N concentration in the various plant parts
The present study showed highly significant variation among wheat genotypes in relation to Grain weight (GW), shoot weight (SW), and root weight (RW) as well as of N concentration in the grain i.e. grain N concentration (GNC), and other plant parts
Summary
Grain yield and grain protein concentration are among the most important characters in wheat production (Kramer, 1979; Groos et al, 2003). Grain yield is a major determinant of farmer’s income, while grain protein concentration is important for bread quality (Groos et al, 2003). Genetic variation exists for both grain yield and protein concentration and the inheritance of each of the two traits is complex. Determined factors known to influence the grain yield in wheat are e.g. root size and biomass size, photosynthesis and assimilation rates, growth habit of plants, transport and accumulation mechanisms within the plant (Jenner et al, 1991). Genetic differences have been found for variation in roots, grains etc. in relation to N partitioning (Oyanagi et al, 1998; Reynolds et al, 2009)
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