Effect of seed weight, and seed phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations on the early growth of wheat seedlings

Abstract

Wheat seeds of uniform weight selected from 3 batches of seed with phosphorus (P) concentrations of 0.14, 0.17 and 0.19% were sown in soil with a range of applied P treatments. Seedling emergence was more rapid the higher the seed P. By 25 days after sowing all plants grown at the highest concentration of applied P were similar in size, but with lower applied P, plants from seed with higher P concentrations had an advantage. A range of weight classes was selected from 2 batches of seed raised at low or high concentrations of P. There were 11 groups ranging in mean seed weight from 28 to 58 mg and in seed P from 0.13 to 0.37%. Seedlings from the high P batch had larger first leaves, a higher dry weight, and longer roots than those from the low P batch when grown in a highly P-deficient sand culture system. Within each batch, heavier seeds produced larger leaves, heavier plants and longer roots. The yield differences between batches were largely accounted for if the seed P content (¦g P/seed) was considered rather than either percentage P or seed weight alone. Differences in seed nitrogen concentration or content did not consistently account for differences in seedling growth.