Relationships between carbon isotope discrimination and leaf morphophysiological traits in spring-planted spring wheat under drought and salinity stress in Northern China

Abstract

The relationships between carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) and some morphophysiological traits such as specific leaf dry weight (SLDW), gas exchange parameters, and relative water content (RWC) were studied in a collection of 20 bread wheat cultivars (landraces, released cultivars and advanced lines) in three locations of the Ningxia region (North-East China), i.e. Yinchuan (limited irrigation conditions), Huinong (limited irrigation conditions + salinity) and Guyuan (rain-fed conditions). Relationships between Δ, grain yield (GY), and harvest index (HI) and above-ground biomass (AGB) were also analysed. Differences in the measured traits between different locations were highly related to the variation in water availability. Positive correlations were noted between Δ and HI and grain yield. Flag leaf Δ was positively correlated with RWC at anthesis, and negatively associated with SLDW at grain filling. Significant and negative correlations between Δ and dry matter weight per plant at anthesis and biomass at maturity were noted. Leaf temperature (LT) was found to be negatively correlated with Δ and gs. The findings suggest that Δ may be a useful indicator reflecting wheat yield, harvest index, and water status under irrigation and rain-fed conditions in the Ningxia region.