Nutrient deficiencies do not contribute to yield loss after waterlogging events in winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum )

Frequent waterlogging increases the risk of possible harvest losses in winter wheat. The aim of this study was to analyse which developmental stage of wheat was impaired by waterlogging and whether yield losses can be explained by nutrient deficiences. A large‐scale container experiment was designed to evaluate growth, yield and nutrient status of two wheat cultivars after 14 days of waterlogging at two different developmental stages: DC 31 (first node visible) and DC 51 (beginning of ear emergence). Early waterlogging treatment impaired vegetative growth stages of winter wheat and nutrient uptake, leading to transient nutrient deficiencies, but yield was not significantly reduced. Late waterlogging at the beginning of ear emergence mainly affected generative growth stages and caused yield reductions ranging up to 61%. The main reason for yield loss was the significantly decreased thousand kernel weight in combination with a decreased number of grains per spike. Yield depressions in winter wheat depend on the timing of waterlogging. Early waterlogging transiently reduces vegetative growth through nutrient deficiencies, whereas late waterlogging results in an impaired grain development and associated therewith, yield losses.