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The morphological changes of wheat genotypes as affected by the levels of localized phosphate supply

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Abstract

Effects of localized phosphate supply on the seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes 81(85)5-3-3-3 (P-efficient) and NC37 (P-inefficient) were studied using a device which allowed only 3 cm length of root segment to be exposed to phosphate treatment. Localized supply of 0 mmol P L−1 and the rest of root supplied with 0.1 mmol P L−1 (HLH), increased the shoot height, leaf area, root/shoot ratio for 81(85)5-3-3-3, length of root and root axis for NC37, and root axis length and density of first-laterals for both the genotypes, compared to plants with the whole root system in P-sufficient solution (HHH). This suggested that above- and below-ground morphological parameters of wheat were promoted by a localized P-deficiency, presumably via a P deficiency signal. There was a significant difference in the number of first-order laterals between the two wheat genotypes when most of the roots were grown without P and only 3 cm length of root was supplied with 0.3 mmol P L−1. The relationship between the number and density of 2nd-order lateral roots and level of local P supply was quadratic. Maximum number and density of 2nd-order lateral roots were obtained with a localized P supply of 0.70 mmol L−1.

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Correspondence to Fusuo Zhang.

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Sun, H., Zhang, F., Li, L. et al. The morphological changes of wheat genotypes as affected by the levels of localized phosphate supply. Plant and Soil 245, 233–238 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020472608609

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020472608609

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