Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2011, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (2): 203-213.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1258.2011.00203

Special Issue: 稳定同位素生态学

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Stable carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) in flag leaves of different genotypes of winter wheat and its relation to yield and water use efficiency

FAN Ting-Lu1, MA Ming-Sheng2,*(), WANG Shu-Ying2, LI Shang-Zhong2, ZHAO Gang2   

  1. 1Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730070, China
    2Dryland Agriculture Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730070, China
  • Received:2010-03-03 Accepted:2010-06-01 Online:2011-03-03 Published:2011-01-21
  • Contact: MA Ming-Sheng

Abstract:

Aims Our objectives were to analyze differences of grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and stable carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) in various genotypes of dryland winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and the correlation between δ13C value and grain yield and WUE under two different ecological conditions. Findings will help clarify the reliability of using δ 13C to evaluate WUE and provide a basis for breeding water-saving types.
Methods We studied 15 winter wheat genotypes (12 from north China and 3 from Texas, USA) on the Loess Plateau of East Gansu under dryland and supplemental irrigation treatments at the jointing stage.
Important findings Different genotypes had considerable differences in grain yield, WUE and δ 13C value whether under dryland or irrigation, and the δ 13C value increased with grain filling proceeding. Moreover, the δ 13C value under dryland condition was higher than under limited irrigation. The correlation between δ 13C with grain yield and WUE is significant during the grain filling stages whether under dryland or irrigation, and the correlation under dryland is better than that under limited irrigation. With irrigation of 100 mm water at jointing stage, various genotypes of winter wheat had significant compensation or super compensation effects. The δ 13C value can indicate WUE well whether under dryland or irrigated condition. Therefore, the δ 13C value can be used by breeding programs as a potential selection criterion for grain yield and WUE in wheat.

Key words: grain yield, stable carbon isotope ratio, water use efficiency, winter wheat