Analysis of Gene Expression Pattern in Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Roots Under Urea Fertilizer Regime During Growth Stages

In order to study the effects of urea fertilizer regime on the differential gene expression of nitrate reductase and agronomic traits in two wheat cultivars, the experiment was carried out in a factorial based on randomized complete block design with four replications in 2012 at research field of Gorgan University of agricultural sciences and natural resources. Experimental treatment included factorial combination of two wheat genotypes (Morvarid cultivar and N8019 line) and two different urea regime (150 kg/ha, by splitting 50 kg at sowing time, and 100 kg at stem elongation, and control (no fertilizer). Root tissue samples were collected at three times including one day and seven days after using fertilizer and at physiologic maturity stage. Nitrate reductase gene expression was measured using Q-PCR technique. Results showed there was significant difference on gene expression using urea in two genotypes. Urea usage has improved all agronomic traits except grain weight. Increases of grain yield were mostly due to more grain number per spike. There was positive significant correlation between gene expression and some traits, such as root length, root dry weight, spike length, grain weight and shoots dry weight. This could be important to introduce a selection index in breeding projects.