Macronutrient concentration and remobilization in spring wheat organs during grain flling

Abstract

Tis study was conducted with 4 bread wheat genotypes to determine the macronutrient content in diferent plant organsduring the grain flling period. Macronutrient contents such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), andmagnesium (Mg) were determined in lower stems, peduncles, lower leaves, fag leaves, rachises, forets, and grains. High genotypeefects were found for all macronutrients and plant organs. N, P, K, and Mg decreased during grain flling in all plant parts except thegrain. Te rate of decrease varied depending on plant organs and nutrients. Grain nutrient concentration, except nitrogen content,increased up to physiological maturity. In contrast to the other nutrients, Ca content increased or remained stable depending on theplant organs. Te macronutrient remobilization order from plant organs to grain was Mg < P < N < K ≤ Ca, and all nutrients wereaccepted as removable at grain development stages. Remobilization models of macronutrients in grains can be valuable for detectinghigh-capacity plants for nutrient accumulation in stressful environments. Relationships among macronutrients and their relationshipswith plant organs can be used, by way of indirect selection, in wheat breeding eforts.