Two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) were used to evaluate the effects ofpost-anthesis severe water deficit (SD) on starch content and granule size distribution and their relations with ethylene and spermidine (Spd). Comparison to the well-watered (WW) treatment, SD led to lower Spd and higher 1-aminocylopropane-l-carboxylic acid (ACC) concentrations and ethylene evolution rate (EER) in grains at the critical stage of forming starch granules. Application of Spd or aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) significantly reduced ACC concentration and EER and increased Spd concentration, while ethephon or methylglyoxal-bis (MGBG) had an opposite impact. The volume and surface area distribution of starch granules showed a bimodal curve, while the number distribution exhibited a unimodal curve. SD caused a marked drop in grain weight, grain number and starch content, also led to a significant reduction in the proportion (both by volume and by surface area) of B-type starch granules (〈10 Ixm), with an increase in those of A-type starch granules (〉10 ~tm). Application of Spd or AVG increased the proportion (both by volume and by surface area) of B-type starch granules under SD. Correlation analysis suggested that ethylene and Spd showed an antagonism relation in the formation of B-type granules. These results suggested that it would be good for the formation of B-type starch granules to have the physiological traits of higher Spd and lower ACC concentrations and ethylene emission under SD.
YANG Wei-bingLI YongYIN Yan-pingJIANG Wen-wenPENG Dian-liangCUI Zheng-yongYANG Dong-qingWANG Zhen-lin
The objective of this study was to understand the morphological,physiological,and molecular responses of wheat roots to nitrate supply at seedling stage.Two wheat genotypes,Jimai 22 and Shannong 15,were grown in Hoagland's nutrient solution with different nitrate levels at seedling stage.Results indicated that the plant dry weight and N accumulation increased with the increase of nitrate supply.The number of axial root,total uptake area (TUA),and active uptake area (AUA) increased with more nitrate supply.Correlation analysis indicated that significant positive correlations existed between N accumulation and dry weight,N accumulation and AUA,and N accumulation and AUA/TUA.Although,the expressions of NRT2.1,NRT2.2,and NRT2.3 decreased with nitrate supply increased,the expressions of NRT1,NRT2.1,and NRT2.3 could maintain high level at N3 treatment.The free amino acid and NO3- content in shoot also increased with the increased nitrate application,but no significant difference was found in root among the treatments.These results implied that the increase of N uptake by nitrate supply was due to the morphological and physiological responses of wheat roots and the high expression level of TaNRT genes.Similarly,the contribution of morphological,physiological,and molecular parameters was different between two genotypes of wheat.
WANG PingWANG Zhen-linCAI Rui-guoLI YongCHEN Xiao-guangYIN Yan-ping