HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Smith, T. L. Articles by Sander, D. H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Smith, T. L. Articles by Sander, D. H. Agricola Articles by Smith, T. L. Articles by Sander, D. H.

Nitrogen Distribution in Roots and Tops of Winter Wheat¹

The hypothesis has been proposed that the observed N losses from the aboveground parts of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) near maturity might be explained by N redistribution to roots during the late grainfill period. This experiment was designed to test this hypothesis. Plant response to four N levels using a modified Hoagland's solution was studied in gravel culture. Roots and tops were harvested 12 times during the growth cycle and analyzed for N content. Nitrogen uptake patterns for roots and shoots were similar. At about 50 days after jointing (Feeke's Stage = 11.2) both roots and shoots began to lose N, while head N increased from anthesis to maturity. Gains in head N exceeded the amounts lost from the roots and shoots. So, N uptake from the culture solution continued through maturity. The hypothesis that N is redistributed to the roots near maturity in winter wheat was rejected. Roots were actually a source of N for translocation to the grain, as were aboveground stems and leaves.

Key Words: N translocation • N uptake • Root N uptake • Gravel culture

² Former graduate assistant (currently assistant professor California Polytechnical Institute, San Luis Obispo, CA) and professors, Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, respectively.

Received for publication January 20, 1983.