Premium
Effect of source–sink manipulation on accumulation of micronutrients and protein in wheat grains
Author(s) -
Zhang Yinghua,
Zhang Yongping,
Liu Na,
Su Da,
Xue Qingwu,
Stewart Bob A.,
Wang Zhimin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.201100224
Subject(s) - sink (geography) , micronutrient , anthesis , chemistry , sucrose , agronomy , horticulture , food science , biology , cultivar , cartography , organic chemistry , geography
The effect of source and sink manipulation on accumulation of micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu) and protein in wheat grains was studied in a field experiment and ear culture. The source and sink manipulation was obtained by reducing assimilate source (through defoliation and spike shading) or sink (through 50% spikelets removal) after anthesis in the field and by changing sucrose or NH 4 NO 3 levels of the culture media in ear culture. In the field experiment, reducing source and sink generally increased Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and protein concentrations except defoliation which decreased Mn concentration. Grain yield as well as micronutrient and protein contents in grains were all reduced by reducing source and sink sizes, suggesting that the accumulation of micronutrients and protein in grains was restricted by source supply and sink capacity. In ear culture, the supply of 20 to 80 g L –1 sucrose increased grain weight and yield, but decreased grain Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and protein concentrations. The supply of 0.57 to 2.28 g L –1 NH 4 NO 3 increased grain yield and the concentrations and contents of micronutrients and protein. All these results show that micronutrient and protein accumulation in grains can be affected by the source–sink relationship of carbohydrate and nitrogen. Adequate N supply can simultaneously increase grain yield and the accumulation of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and protein.