The yield and nitrogen use efficiency of winter wheat in the North China Plain could be improved through enhanced tiller formation and biomass transport

Context or problem

Optimizing farmers' production managements is a powerful approach to synergize crop yields, resource utilization, and environmental protection.

Objective or research question

How agronomic managements in the North China Plain (NCP) determines wheat yield and nitrogen use efficiency (PFP_N) by influencing physiological performance remains largely unknown.

Methods

From 2016–2020, three different managements were implemented at four sites, focusing on the differences in physiological performance of wheat populations, and exploring the links between yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and physiological performance.

Results

The yield (8.0 t·ha⁻¹) and PFP_N (27.5 kg·kg⁻¹) under Farmer level (FL) decreased by 13.0 % and 57.0 %, respectively compared with High-yield and high-efficiency level (HHL). Meanwhile, compared with HHL, the tillering survival rate (TSR), tillering capability (TC), biomass post-anthesis (BPA) and biomass remobilization (BR) under FL were significantly reduced (p<0.05). Further analysis revealed that the above indicators (TSR, TC, BPA and BR) had substantial impact on both yield and PFP_N, which indicated that optimizing the tiller formation and biomass transport could benefit yield and PFP_N of winter wheat.

Conclusions

HHL optimized wheat population physiological performance by reducing resource inputs such as water and fertilizer, achieved a win-win situation between yield and nitrogen use efficiency.

Implications or significance

The promotion of optimized management (HHL) has the potential to reduce resource input and facilitate the sustainable and environmentally-friendly development of winter wheat in the NCP.