Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium deficiency on winter wheat root morphology

master's thesis

• Title (croatian): Utjecaj nedostatka dušika, fosfora i kalija na morfologiju korijena ozime pšenice
• Author: Rey Mark Faderogao
• Mentor: Boris Lazarević (mentor)
• Mentor: Miklos Gulyas (komentor)
• Committee member: Boris Lazarević (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Marko Petek (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Miroslav Bukan (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Agriculture; (Plant Nutrition); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2024-09-20, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOTECHNICAL SCIENCES; Agronomy

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a crucial global staple crop for food security, with demand exceeding production by 11.5 million metric tons in 2023/24, highlighting the need to optimize growth and yield. Root morphology plays a key role in nutrient acquisition, and this study investigates how deficiencies in nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) affect root traits in two winter wheat cultivars, OS-Olimpija and Sofru, grown under controlled hydroponic conditions. The growth chamber... More maintained precise environmental conditions: a 16-hour light and 8-hour dark cycle, daytime temperatures at 25°C, nighttime temperatures at 20°C, relative humidity at 70%, and a light intensity of 250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. The nutrient solution was continuously aerated. Root traits—including length, width, depth, average diameter, surface area, volume, number of root tips and forks, root length < 0.5 mm, and the percentage of root length < 0.5 mm—were assessed using WinRhizoPro software (Version 2015, Regent Instruments Inc., Quebec, Canada) at four measurement intervals. Potassium deficiency had the most severe impact on root morphology, resulting in shorter root lengths, reduced surface area, and fewer root tips and forks. Phosphorus deficiency hindered fine root development, while nitrogen deficiency also reduced root length, surface area, and volume. Cultivar-specific responses were noted, with OS-Olimpija showing longer roots and larger surface areas, while Sofru developed deeper root systems. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted nutrient management to optimize root architecture, improve nutrient uptake, and enhance crop resilience under nutrient-deficient conditions. The study offers insights into wheat root adaptations to nutrient stress and provides a foundation for future research on nutrient-use efficiency and sustainable wheat production. Less

Abstract (croatian)

Pšenica (Triticum aestivum L.) ključna je globalna kultura za sigurnost hrane. Potražnja za pšenicom premašivala je proizvodnju za 11,5 milijuna metričkih tona u 2023. /24. godini, što naglašava potrebu za optimizacijom proizvodnje i prinosa pšenice. Morfologija korijena ima ključnu ulogu u usvajanju hranjivih tvari, a ovo istraživanje istražuje utjecaj nedostataka dušika (N), fosfora (P) i kalija (K) svojstva korijena kod dvije sorte ozime pšenice, OS-Olimpija i Sofru, uzgajanih u... More kontroliranim hidroponskim uvjetima. Biljke su uzgajane u komorama rast pri 6-satni svjetlosni i 8-satni noćni ciklus, 25°C dnevne i 20°C noćne temperature 70% relativne vlage zraka i 250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ intenziteta svjetlosti. Morfološka svojstva korijena, uključujući duljinu, širinu, dubinu, prosječni promjer, površinu, volumen, broj vrhova i grananja korijena, duljinu korijena < 0,5 mm i postotak duljine korijena < 0,5 mm mjerene su pomoću WinRhizoPro (2015, Regent Instruments Inc., Quebec, Kanada) u četiri intervala mjerenja. Nedostatak kalija imao je najznačajniji negativni utjecaj na morfologiju korijena, rezultirajući smanjenom duljinom i površinom korijena te manjim brojem vrhova i grananja korijena. Nedostatak fosfora otežao je razvoj finog korijenja (< 0,5 mm), dok je nedostatak dušika također smanjio duljinu, površinu i volume korijena. Kultivari su se također razlikovali u morfološkim svojstvima korijena, pri čemu je OS-Olimpija pokazala dulje korijene i veću površinu korijena, dok je Sofru razvila dublji korijenov sustav. Ovi rezultati naglašavaju važnost ciljanog upravljanja hranjivim tvarima radi optimizacije razvoja korijena korijena, poboljšanja usvajanja hranjivih tvari i povećanja otpornosti usjeva u uvjetima nedostatka hranjivih tvari. Ovaj rad pruža uvid u prilagodbe korijena pšenice na stres uzrokovan nedostatkom hranjivih tvari i pruža osnovu za buduća istraživanja o učinkovitosti korištenja hranjivih tvari i održivoj proizvodnji pšenice. Less

• Keywords: Wheat; nutrient acquisition; root morphology; root traits; nutrient deficiency
• Keywords (croatian): pšenica; usvajanje hranjivih tvari; morfologija korijena; morfološka svojstva korijena; nedostatak hranjivih tvari
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:204:029742
• Study programme: Title: Sustainability in Agriculture, Food Production and Food Technology in the Danube Region; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra inženjer/inženjerka agronomije (magistar/magistra inženjer/inženjerka agronomije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Embargoed access; Embargo expiration date: 2025-09-24
• Created on: 2024-10-30 08:10:22