SCREENING OF WHEAT VARIETIES WITH LOW POTASSIUM ENDURANCE AND STUDY ON THEIR POTASSIUM UPTAKE CHARACTERISTICS

Field experiments were conducted to screen wheat varieties with low potassium (K) endurance from 1993 to 1995. The characteristics of K uptake among these varieties was also studied. The results showed that the yields of defferent wheat varieties were significantly different in K deficient soil. According to low K endurance, variety adaptability and the tractional method made by Liu Hengguan, 45 wheat varieties were identified by field experiment. Among 45 varieties tested, 4. 4% belonged to that of high endurance of low K (1 grade) and 37.8% to that of low endurance (7~9 grades) and the others (57. 8%) were between the former two types (3-5 grades). Further, the endurance of Chuanmai-23 and 89-8 were proved in plot experiment. The two varieties are able to absorb more K from soil and transfer more to grain in their maturity than sensitive ones. Therefore, Chuanmai-23 and 89-8 could yield well respectively under K stress.