Abstract

The effects of nitrogen (N) treatment applied at the booting stage on progeny seed germination and seedling growth were investigated in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cvs. Zheng 9023 (high protein content of 14%) and Yangmai 13 (low protein content of 10%). The N treatment enhanced seed protein content, seedling root length, shoot length, dry weight, chlorophyll contents, activities of superoxide dismutase and dehydrogenase, and cell number and cross-sectional area of roots. N treatment significantly increased progeny seed germination percentage and rate in cv. Yangmai 13, but decreased them in cv. Zheng 9023, relative to controls. N treatment resulted in cell walls and starch granules in seed endosperm degrading faster in cv. Yangmai 13, but more slowly in cv. Zheng 9023, relative to controls. The results will help to provide a practice for improving progeny seedling quality by choosing appropriate varieties and N management.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.