Zinc Fertilizer Application in Different Stages Changes the Accumulation and Remobilization of Zinc in Winter Wheat
摘要
It is very important to clarify the accumulation and remobilization of zinc (Zn) in crops and to improve the utilization rate of Zn and Zn concentration in grains of winter wheat. However, the regulation effects and mechanisms of Zn accumulation and remobilization by different Zn application stages have not been studied. The present study aims to explore the impacts of different Zn application stages on winter wheat yield, Zn harvest index and grain Zn concentration, and investigate the physiological mechanism of Zn accumulation and remobilization in winter wheat. The study was conducted in 2020–2022 by employing a two-factor randomized block design and incorporating two types of Zn fertilizer viz. ZnSO4·7H2O and ZnCl2 at two key growth stages of winter wheat viz. Zn applied at sowing and jointing stages. The Zn harvest index of winter wheat was 77.9 ~ 94.1%. 37.5–81.4% (186.5–515.5 g ha−1) of Zn in grains comes from the Zn assimilated after anthesis, and 52.3–320.9 g ha−1 come from the remobilization of vegetative organs. The treatment of Zn application at sowing or jointing stage significantly increased Zn concentration in grain by 131.99% and 90.87%, respectively, and significantly increased the remobilization of Zn from vegetative organs, and assimilation after anthesis. The Zn accumulation in leaves, ears and stems + sheaths at anthesis increased significantly by 22.57%, 152.81% and 52.36%, respectively, and the Zn remobilization amounts from leaves, spike axis + glume and stems + sheaths to grains increased by 94.5%, 12.5% and 42.3% in the treatment of Zn application at jointing stage, compared with the treatment of Zn application at sowing stage. However, the post-anthesis Zn assimilation and its contribution to grains decreased by 85% and 50%, respectively, and the grain Zn concentration reduced significantly by 27% and the Zn harvest index reduced by about 10% in the treatment of Zn application at jointing stage. These results indicate that Zn application at jointing stage significantly increased Zn accumulation at anthesis stage and Zn remobilization from vegetative organs to grains, but it significantly inhibited the Zn absorption after anthesis and the rate of Zn translocation of vegetative organs. In contrast, Zn application at sowing stage resulted in higher Zn harvest index and higher grain Zn concentration. It is very important for Zn biofortification of winter wheat to select appropriate stage for Zn application in production.