Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2005, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (5): 807-813.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2005.0107

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

RESPONSE OF WHEAT YIELDS AND QUALITY TO LOW LIGHT INTENSITY AT DIFFERENT GRAIN FILLING STAGES

LI Yong-Geng1,2(), YU Zhen-Wen2,*(), LIANG Xiao-Fang2, ZHAO Jun-Ye2, QIU Xi-Bin2   

  1. 1 Laboratory of Quantitative Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
    2 Wheat Planting Physiology & Heredity Improve Key Opening Laboratory of Agricultural Ministry, Agronomy College, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
  • Received:2004-02-13 Accepted:2004-11-19 Online:2005-02-13 Published:2005-08-30
  • Contact: YU Zhen-Wen
  • About author:* E-mail: zhenwenyu@sdau.edu.cn

Abstract:

Changes in the yields and quality, and the physiological response of wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. 'Ji'nan17' and 'Lumai21') grown under low light intensities (50% PPFD) at different filling stages were studied. Wheat was planted in 2.5 m×2.0 m plots. The plots were shaded with white fabric that filtered 50%PPFD during three different filling stages: 1-10, 11-20, and 21-30 days after anthesis. Protein accumulation rate, nitrogen accumulation and distribution, kernel weight and yield, test weight, protein composition, protein content, wet gluten content, glutenin macropolymer (GMP) content, starch and protein quality were measured. The results showed that under 50% PPFD, wheat yield and test weight deceased sharply (p<0.05), less nitrogen was distributed to kernels (p<0.05), but protein content and wet gluten content increased significantly (p<0.05), especially at the early filling stage. At the late filling stage, gliadin and glutenin content, glutenin macropolymer (GMP) content and glutenin/gliadin index increased significantly (p<0.05). Thus, farinogram parameters, such as water absorption and dough stability time, improved at low light intensities (p<0.05). However, these parameters changed only slightly during the early and middle filling stages (p>0.05), which suggested that the late filling stage is an important stage during which light intensity influences protein quality. Shading or lower light intensity improved wheat quality, but yields decreased sharply, especially during the early grain filling stage. The two varieties, 'Ji'nan17' and 'Lumai21', showed similar responses to light levels at the different filling stages. Therefore, future investigations should be conducted to resolve the conflict between differences in yield and quality.

Key words: Wheat, Light intensity, Protein, Starch, Quality