Effects of N-application on utilization of 15N and 13C and quality in two wheat cultivars

Isotopes Environ Health Stud. 2008 Jun;44(2):209-17. doi: 10.1080/10256010801887562.

Abstract

We studied N uptake and distribution in wheat, and the incorporation of nitrogen and carbon into gluten and non-gluten proteins using a double-labelling approach with 15N and 13C. Doses of N-fertilizer were split and applied at emergence, onset of stem elongation, and heading at rates of 280/140/140 mg N pot(-1), respectively simulating 90/45/45 kg N ha(-1). Five different combinations of N-fertilizations containing no or 10 % 15N were performed. The recovery of 15N added at the stages emergence, stem elongation or heading were 42, 60, and 64 %. Application of 15N at all three stages yielded in 51 % recovery. Remobilisation of straw N was greater for Golia. The 15N concentration in gluten proteins of Golia show higher values than Gonen. The ratio of 15N gluten/15N non-gluten proteins of Golia were higher, which implies a lower non-gluten protein activity during grain filling. The 13C concentration in gluten and non-gluten proteins did not differ between both cultivars.

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture / methods*
  • Carbon Isotopes / analysis
  • Crops, Agricultural / metabolism
  • Glutens / chemistry
  • Glutens / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Nitrogen / metabolism*
  • Nitrogen Isotopes / analysis
  • Plant Proteins, Dietary / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins, Dietary / metabolism*
  • Triticum / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Nitrogen Isotopes
  • Plant Proteins, Dietary
  • Glutens
  • Nitrogen