Abstract:
Objectives Understanding changes of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) contents in wheat grains under different nitrogen application levels is of great significance in optimizing nitrogen (N) fertilizer management and realizing high yield and quality of wheat in dryland area.
Methods The research was based on the long-term field experiment located in the south of the Loess Plateau, Shaanxi Province, and started since 2004. There were five N application rates in total, as 0, 80, 160, 240 and 320 kg/hm2 on the basis of P2O5 100 kg/hm2. At wheat harvest season during 2013 to 2016, wheat plant samples were collected to determine the biomass, contents of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in different wheat organs, and soil samples were collected at the same time for determination of available Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn concentrations. The relationship between grain Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn contents, yield, and nitrogen application rate was studied, and the optimal nitrogen application rate was proposed.
Results Compared with no N application, N fertilization increased grain yield and grain Fe, Cu and Zn content, but decreased Mn content. Regression analysis showed that the N rate was 212 kg/hm2 for the maximum grain yield of 6116 kg/hm2, 218 kg/hm2 for the maximum grain Fe concentration (43.9 mg/kg). Grain Cu and Zn contents had a linear relationship with N rate, and their contents would be increased by 0.4 and 3.5 mg/kg with every extra N application of 100 kg/hm2. The grain Mn content had a negative linear plus plateau relationship with N applying rate, the minimum Mn content (37.5 mg/kg) appeared at the N rate of 57 kg/hm2. N application increased soil available Mn concentration in 0−20 cm layer by 7.8%, did not change the available Fe, Cu and Zn concentration significantly.
Conclusions On calcareous soil in dryland of the Loess Plateau, N application could increase wheat grain Fe, Cu and Zn contents mainly due to the increased Fe, Cu and Zn uptake and Fe distribution from shoot to grains, while decrease grain Mn concentration due to the nutrient dilution effect caused by the increased grain yield. Comprehensively considering the yield and the grain Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn contents, the N fertilizer application rate 122 kg/hm2 is recommended for target wheat yield 5810 kg/hm2, and higher grain Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn contents of 42.1, 37.5, 4.0 and 25.1 mg/kg.