Teses / dissertações sobre o tema "Triticum aestivum – Nutrition – Rendements"

L'observation récente de carences en S sur céréales dans les sols argilo-calcaires superficiels de l'est de la France nécessite de mieux connaitre les facteurs contrôlant la disponibilité de cet élément pour les plantes afin d'établir les bases d'une fertilisation raisonnée. Des essais de fertilisation soufrée ont été effectues sur blé d'hiver pendant 3 années culturales successives sur différents sites expérimentaux. Ils montrent que la réponse du blé à un apport du S dépend de la quantité de terre fine disponible et de l'état hydrique du sol. Les pertes par lessivage et par les exportations sont plus importantes que les apports par les pluies. L'apparition de carence en soufre est donc liée à un appauvrissement du milieu en cet élément. Les plantes prélevant leur S à partir des ions sulfaté, on a recherché une méthode permettant de déterminer en routine cette fraction. Nous avons retenu le ca(h#2po#4)#2 0,009m qui extrait la totalité des ions sulfaté. Aussi, afin de déterminer le rôle des formes organiques du s, des essais ont été conduits en conditions contrôlées en marquant le s-organique par #3#5s. La minéralisation des formes organiques contribue très fortement à l'alimentation s de la plante. Elle est fonction des activités racinaire et microbienne. Des essais réalises en plein champ confirment l'effet de ces facteurs sur la disponibilité du S pour le blé. En conclusion, la nutrition s du blé dépend en majeure partie des formes organiques du S (s-ester), des propriétés du sol (profondeur, teneur en matière organique, caco#3 limitant la minéralisation), des conditions climatiques (humidité, température) et des apports de S

There is consensus that high CO2 results in enhanced growth and yield for most crop plants. However, most of these studies were carried out in the presence of adequate nutrients, which is also the case in agricultural systems (managed ecosystems). About 20% of the earth’s land mass have sufficiently low levels of nutrients to cause some kind of stress to plants. On the other hand, elevated [CO2] decreases foliar nutrient elements in plants and as a result partitioning of certain nutrient elements in plants is altered. Little data is available on the partitioning of most nutrient elements in plants, and this will definitely impact on growth and yield. To investigate this, wheat (Triticum aestivum L. c.v. Gamtoos) was grown in controlled environment cabinets at 360 and 700 µmol mol -1 CO2. The full Long-Ashton nutrient solution comprising of three-nitrogen concentrations ([N]) viz. (4,6 and 12 mM) was used to water plants everyday. The measurement of net assimilation rate (NAR), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), water use efficiency (WUE), foliar [N], nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and growth parameters (total plant biomass (TPB), total plant height (TPH), leaf area (LA), shoot and root dry weight) were made 7 days after germination (7 DAG) till the onset of flowering. The increase in nitrogen supply in the order of 4, 6 and 12mM resulted in an increase in NAR, g_s_ , WUE and a decline in E under elevated [CO2]. Under elevated [CO2] NAR was observed to increase during the first two weeks reaching its maximum at 14 DAG, thereafter followed by a decline reaching its maximum at 28 DAG. This was later followed by an increase at 35 DAG onwards. Under elevated [CO2], NAR was increased significantly between the nitrogen regimes during the first (7-14 DAG) and the last two (35-42 DAG) weeks. The response of assimilation as a function of internal [CO2] (Ci), showed a decrease with age at ages 14, 28 and 35 DAG. This negatively affected the initial slope and the CO2 saturated photosynthetic rates under all treatments. This suggest that acclimation may have been as a result of both stomatal and biochemical limitations. All the photosynthetic pigment levels (chl_a_, chl_b_, chl_(a+b)_, and C_(x+c)_ ) increased with an increase in nitrogen supply from 4 to 6mM [N]. A 12mM [N] resulted in a significant decline in the photosynthetic pigment levels compared to a 6mM [N]. Chla remained higher than chlb under all treatments. Also, NAR was seen to increase and decrease concomitantly with the photosynthetic pigment levels. Foliar [N] was seen to decrease with an increase in nitrogen supply from 4 to 6 mM [N] under elevated [CO2] and the effects were adverse under the 4mM [N]. Under the 6mM N regime foliar [N] was positively correlated to NAR for elevated [CO2] grown plants. Similarly, E was positively correlated to foliar [N] under the same conditions. Elevated CO2 and increase in nitrogen supply had a pronounced effect on total plant height (TPH), total plant biomass (TPB), leaf area (LA), shoot and root dry weight and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The effects were more pronounced under a 6mM [N] as a result of high NUE. However, under 12mM [N] growth was not as expected as a result of lower NUE. Under all treatments shoot dry weight (SDW) was positively correlated to NUE. Anatomical studies revealed that total leaf and midrib thickness was significantly increased with an increase in nitrogen supply under elevated CO2 to support the larger leaf areas. There were no significant changes in the chloroplast ultrastructure as a result of the increase in nitrogen supply and CO2 enrichment. Starch grain surface area was seen to decline with an increase in nitrogen under both ambient and elevated CO2. Elevated CO2 and increase in nitrogen supply significantly increased total grain dry weight per plant by 47 and 46% respectively under 6 and 12mM [N]. In contrast, the increase was by about 21, 61 and 67% respectively under 4, 6 and 12mM [N] between the CO2 regimes.

La croissance et le developpement d'un ble tendre d'hiver ont ete etudies dans des conditions differentes de date de semis, de densite de peuplement, de fertilisation azotee et de modification morphophysiologique des plantes par ablation artificielle des talles

A aplicação de micronutrientes nas sementes pode constituir alternativa interessante para a disponibilização destes elementos às plantas, reduzindo perdas e disponibilizando-os no início do desenvolvimento das mesmas, favorecendo sua utilização. O nutripriming da semente é uma técnica em que há hidratação das sementes com solução aquosa de nutrientes, associando os benefícios do priming com a disponibilização de elementos essenciais à nutrição vegetal. Assim, foi avaliada a adequação do priming para as sementes de trigo, do nutripriming com a aplicação do cobre e do manganês e a interferência desses procedimentos na qualidade da semente e no desenvolvimento da plântula; foram utilizados os cultivares Quartzo e Supera, avaliados em cinco épocas: inicial e aos 45, 90, 135 e 180 dias. Para a avaliação das sementes foram determinados o teor de água, a germinação (total e primeira contagem), a emergência da plântula (total e índice de velocidade), os comprimentos da plântula (manualmente e com o software SVIS&reg;), a condutividade elétrica e os índices de vigor e uniformidade de plântulas O experimento foi conduzido em esquema fatorial 7 x 2 (controle e doses de micronutrientes x sementes sem priming e com nutripriming), em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. Independentemente do cultivar, o nutripriming em sementes de trigo, utilizando doses superiores a 100 mg de Cu/kg de semente, afeta negativamente o desenvolvimento da plântula reduzindo o crescimento das raízes. A aplicação na semente de trigo, doses 10 e 33 mg de Cu/kg de semente, sem priming ou utilizando nutripriming, não causa redução da qualidade da semente e não compromete o desenvolvimento da plântula. A utilização do manganês, independentemente do cultivar e da forma de aplicação, não interfere negativamente na qualidade da semente e no desenvolvimento da plântula.<br>Micronutrient application through seeds may consist in an interesting alternative to provide these elements to plants, reducing losses and making them available at their initial growth stages, which may favor their utilization. Nutripriming is a technique that involves seed hydration in aqueous nutrient solution, which combines the priming benefits with the supply of essential elements for plant nutrition. Thus, this research evaluated the adequacy of priming for wheat seeds, the application of copper and manganese through nutripriming and the interference of these procedures on seed quality and seedling development. Wheat cultivars Quartzo and Supera were used; the evaluations were performed in five periods: initial (day 1), 45, 90, 135 and 180 days. Seeds were evaluated by water content, germination (total and first count), seedling emergence (total and speed index), seedlings length (manually and with SVIS&reg; software), electrical conductivity and vigor and uniformity indices seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized factorial design 7 x 2 (control and doses of micronutrients x non-primed and primed seeds). Regardless the cultivar, nutripriming of wheat seeds, at doses higher than 100 mg Cu / kg seed, negatively affects seedling development, reducing root length. The application of doses 10 and 33 mg Cu / kg seed, via seed dressing or nutripriming, does not affect seed quality and seedling development. The use of manganese, regardless the cultivar and application type, does not interfere on seed quality and seedling development.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In order to test the effect of different plant growth-promoting strategies on Triticum aestivum L. (wheat), we investigated the ability of biochar and a grain-associated soil yeast, to improve the growth of this crop. Our first goal was to study the effect of biochar amendments to sandy soil on the growth and nutrition of wheat in the presence of mycorrhizal fungi. This was accomplished by amending soil with 0%, 1%, 2.5%, 5% and 10% (w/w) biochar and cultivating wheat plants in these soil-biochar mixtures. After harvesting, plant growth and mycorrhizal colonization of roots were measured. In addition, we studied the nutritional physiology of these plants with regards to nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) concentrations, as well as the growth efficiencies and uptake rates of these nutrients. We found that wheat growth was improved by biochar amendments to soil, probably as a result of elevated K levels in the plant tissues supplied by the biochar amendments. The second goal of this study was to obtain a soil yeast from the rhizosphere of another monocot in the family Poaceae, i.e. Themeda triandra Forssk. (red grass), and then evaluate this isolate for its ability to improve wheat performance. Three different Cryptococcus species were isolated from the rhizosphere of wild grass, i.e. Cryptococcus zeae, Cryptococcus luteolus and Cryptococcus rajasthanensis. Since C. zeae was previously isolated from maize, an isolate representing this species was selected to be used in further experimentation. With the ultimate goal of testing the ability of this yeast to improve wheat growth, its effect on wheat germination was investigated and compared to that of two other soil yeasts, i.e. Cryptococcus podzolicus CAB 978 and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa CAB 826. These three yeasts were subsequently tested for their ability to improve wheat growth in pot cultures in a greenhouse. After one and two months of growth, the culturable yeasts present in the rhizosphere and bulk soil were enumerated. The effects of these yeasts were elucidated by measuring wheat growth in terms of dry weight, as well as root and shoot relative growth rates (RGR). Changes in wheat nutrition were evaluated by determining the concentrations, growth efficiencies and uptake rates for P, K, zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe). During this study, it was found that only C. zeae CAB 1119 and C. podzolicus CAB 978 were able to enhance seed germination. Similarly, it was shown that C. zeae CAB 1119 was able to improve wheat growth during the first and second month of cultivation, whereas C. podzolicus CAB 978 only improved growth during the first month, and R. mucilaginosa CAB 826 had no effect on growth. This improved growth could be attributed to C. zeae CAB 1119 improving the P, K, Zn and Fe growth efficiency of wheat, which positively influenced the root and shoot RGR, and subsequently wheat growth. Our final goal was to test whether C. zeae CAB 1119 could affect wheat growth and nutrition when cultivated in sandy soil, which contained natural microbial consortia and 10% (w/w) biochar. Plants treated with viable or autoclaved cells of C. zeae CAB 1119, were subsequently cultivated in soil only or soil amended with biochar. After one month, plants were harvested and growth was measured with regards to dry weight, root RGR and shoot RGR. In addition, the concentrations of P, K, Zn and Fe were analyzed for these plants, where after the growth efficiencies and uptake rates were calculated for these four nutrients. Results indicated that plants growing in soil amended with biochar, and treated with viable C. zeae CAB 1119, showed the best growth. The increased root and shoot RGR witnessed in these plants was probably due to increased concentrations of P and K in the plants. This study opens new avenues of research with regards to the bio-fertilizers of wheat.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die uiteindelike doel van die studie was om die effek van verskillende plantgroei bevorderende metodes op die groei van Triticum aestivum L. (koring) te ondersoek. Dus het ons die vermoë van houtskool en ‘n graan-geassosieerde grondgis getoets om die groei van dié plant te bevorder. Die eerste doel van die studie was om die effek van houtskool toedienings tot sanderige grond te evalueer. Dit is bewerkstellig deur 0%, 1%, 2.5%, 5% en 10% (w/w) van die houtskool by die sand toe te voeg en koring in die houtskool-sand mengsels te kweek. Na die verlangde groei tydperk is die koring geoes en die mikorrizale kolonisasie op en in die koring wortels bepaal. Gedurende hierdie studie is die effek van bogenoemde toedienings op die fisiologie van die plante ondersoek deur die konsentrasies, opname tempo’s, en groei ekonomie van die plante vir stikstof (N), fosfaat (P) en kalium (K) te bepaal. Ons het gevind dat die groei van koring deur die toediening van houtskool bevorder is en dit blyk dat dié effek weens die teenwoordigheid van hoë K vlakke in die plantweefsel is. Die tweede doel van ons studie was om ‘n gis vanuit die risosfeer van ‘n monokotiel wat aan die familie Poacea behoort, naamlik Themeda triandra Forssk. (rooigras) te isoleer. Die vermoë van die isolaat om die groei van koring te bevorder was daarna getoets. Drie verskillende Cryptococcus spesies was vanuit die risosfeer van rooigras geïsoleer, nl. Cryptococcus zeae, Cryptococcus luteolus en Cryptococcus rajasthanensis. Omdat C. zeae in ‘n vorige studie vanaf mielies geisoleer was, is ‘n isolaat van hierdie spesie gebruik in verdere eksperimente. Met die doel om te bepaal of dié gisspesie koringgroei kan bevorder, was die effek van C. zeae op die ontkieming van koring bestudeer en vergelyk met dié van twee ander grond giste, nl. Cryptococcus podzolicus CAB 978 en Rhodotorula mucilaginosa CAB 826. Hierdie drie giste is ook ondersoek om die groei van koring in ‘n glashuis te bevorder. Na een en twee maande se groei was die getalle van giste teenwoordig in die risosfeer en grond verder weg van die wortels bepaal. Die effek van dié giste op die groei van koring is bepaal in terme van droë gewig asook die relatiewe wortel en halm groei tempos. Veranderinge in die nutrient status van koring is ondersoek deur die konsentrasies, groei-ekonomie en tempo van opname vir P, K, sink (Zn) en yster (Fe) te bepaal. Ons het gedurende dié studie gevind dat C. zeae CAB 1119 en C. podzolicus CAB 978 die ontkieming van koring kon verbeter. Ons het ook gevind dat C. zeae CAB 1119 die groei van koring gedurende die eerste en tweede maand van groei kon bevorder, terwyl C. podzolicus CAB 978 dit net gedurende die eerste maand kon vermag en R. mucilaginosa CAB 826 geen effek gehad het nie. Die verbeterde groei kon aan C. zeae CAB 1119, wat die P, K, Zn en Fe groei effektiwiteit van die plante verbeter het, toegeskryf word. Die verbetering van groei effektiwiteit het ‘n positiewe invloed op die relatiewe groeisnelheid van die wortels en halms gehad, en dus op koringgroei. Die laaste doel van die studie was om te bepaal of C. zeae CAB 1119 die groei van koring kon bevorder wanneer die koring in sand wat natuurlike mikrobiese populasies bevat en met houtskool aangevul is, gekweek word. Plante is met lewensvatbare of nielewensvatbare selle van C. zeae CAB 1119 behandel en gekweek in sanderige grond, en/of grond waarby 10% (w/w) houtskool toegevoeg is. Die plante is na een maand geoes en die groei bepaal in terme van droë massa en die relatiewe wortel en halm groei tempos. Die konsentrasies van P, K, Zn en Fe in die plante, asook die fisiologie van die plante, nl. groei ekonomie en tempo van opname, met betrekking tot P, K, Zn en Fe is bepaal, Ons het gevind dat plante wat in die houtskool-grond mengsel gekweek is en met lewensvatbare selle van C. zeae CAB 1119 behandel is die beste groei getoon het. Die verbeterde relatiewe groei tempos van die wortels en halms was mees waarskynlik die gevolg van verhoogde P en K konsentrasies in die plante. Hierdie studie toon nuwe resultate in verband met die gebruik van biologiese alternatiewes tot kunsmis.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior<br>Seed coating treatments are among the most interesting and potentially beneficial for enhancing the performance of the same. This fact, which helps the producer to improve the performance and development of seedlings, with the possibility the use of micronutrients such as zinc, in the seeds. Our objectives were to evaluate the effect of wheat seed coating with zinc through the physiological, sanitary and enzyme quality, during storage and analyze the effect of this nutrient, on nutrition early growth of seedlings and on the components of income after storage. Were tested for levels 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 mL ZnSO4.kg-1 seed, high and low quality, for the seed quality physiological, sanitary and enzyme, six months of storage. After the storage period, we assessed the dry mass, zinc content and accumulation in shoots and roots of wheat plants. We also evaluate the efficiency of absorption, transport and use of zinc in addition to verification of the yield components. We conclude that the ZnSO4 assists in maximum expression of seed quality. There are variations in the pattern of expression of the enzymes EST, GOT and GTDH. The micronutrient zinc, associated with fungicide and polymer, showed a lower incidence of fungi during the storage period. The application of ZnSO4 in seeds causes a higher dry matter and zinc content in the roots. Zinc applied to wheat seeds accumulate mainly in roots. The application of ZnSO4 in seeds resulting in higher absorption efficiency and lower transport efficiency and use of Zn, as we increase the doses of the nutrient. Considering the results of the yield components, number of grains per spikelet and grain weight per plant, it can be said that the wheat seed coating with zinc provides a productivity increase of more than 30%.<br>O recobrimento de sementes está entre os tratamentos mais interessantes e potencialmente benéficos para realçar o desempenho das mesmas. Fato esse, que contribui ao produtor melhorar o desempenho e desenvolvimento das plântulas, com possibilidade da utilização de micronutrientes como o zinco, nas sementes. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar o efeito do recobrimento de sementes de trigo com zinco, através da qualidade fisiológica, enzimática e sanitária durante o armazenamento e, analisar o efeito desse micronutriente sobre a nutrição e o crescimento inicial das plântulas e sobre os componentes de rendimento após armazenagem. Foram testados níveis de 0; 1; 2; 3 e 4 mL de ZnSO4.kg-1 de semente, de maior e menor qualidade, para a qualidade fisiológica, enzimática e sanitária das sementes durante seis meses de armazenamento. Após o período de armazenamento, foram avaliados a massa seca, teor e acúmulo de zinco na parte aérea e raiz de plantas de trigo. Foram analisadas também, a eficiência de absorção, transporte e utilização de zinco, além da verificação dos componentes de rendimento. Conclui-se que o ZnSO4 auxilia na máxima expressão da qualidade das sementes. Há variações no padrão de expressão das enzimas EST, GOT e GTDH. O micronutriente zinco, associado com fungicida e polímero, apresentou menor incidência de fungos ao longo do período de armazenamento. A aplicação de ZnSO4 nas sementes, ocasiona uma maior massa seca e teor de zinco nas raízes. O zinco aplicado às sementes de trigo acumula-se principalmente nas raízes. A aplicação de ZnSO4 em sementes, resultou em maior eficiência de absorção e menor eficiência de transporte e utilização de Zn, à medida que aumentam as doses do nutriente. Considerando os resultados dos componentes de rendimento, número de grãos por espigueta e peso de grãos por planta, pode-se dizer que o recobrimento das sementes de trigo com zinco propicia um aumento de produtividade superior a 30%.

O trigo é um alimento básico da humanidade cuja demanda cresce proporcionalmente ao aumento populacional. Existe carência de pesquisas sobre o efeito da nutrição da planta doadora na resposta androgenética. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a influência de cinco concentrações de nitrogênio e de boro (25%, 50%, 100%, 150% e 200%) a partir da solução de Sarruge modificada, no cultivo de plantas de trigo doadoras de anteras visando à obtenção de estruturas embriogênicas androgenéticas. Para tanto, foram avaliados os componentes do rendimento (número de colmos, diâmetro e comprimento do colmo principal; comprimento, largura e área da folha bandeira; teor de clorofila da folha bandeira, distância entre a folha bandeira e o último nó e comprimento da espiga); o acúmulo de graus dias e duração do ciclo da semeadura até a coleta das espigas para a cultura de anteras; a formação de estruturas embriogênicas androgenéticas e o desenvolvimento dos micrósporos (tétrade, mononucleado central, mononucleado periférico, binucleado e pólen P). Constatou-se que as concentrações de nitrogênio afetaram significativamente os componentes do rendimento, a formação de estruturas embriogênicas androgenéticas e o desenvolvimento dos micrósporos. A duração do ciclo das plantas cultivadas na concentração de 25% de nitrogênio foi menor que nas demais doses, apresentando diferença de até 3,3 dias quando comparada às plantas submetidas a doses mais elevadas. Houve aumento linear na produção de estruturas embriogênicas androgenéticas em função das doses crescentes de nitrogênio utilizadas no cultivo das plantas doadoras das anteras. As doses de nitrogênio interferiram também no estádio de desenvolvimento dos micrósporos, para todas as variáveis estudadas. Essa influência no desenvolvimento dos micrósporos foi efetiva enquanto a folha bandeira menos um encontrava-se no primeiro terço de deslocamento em relação à distância total entre a folha bandeira e o último nó do colmo. As concentrações de boro utilizadas nas soluções de cultivo das plantas de trigo doadoras de anteras não influenciaram nos componentes do rendimento, na formação de estruturas embriogênicas, na duração do ciclo da planta e na maioria das variáveis estudadas com relação ao desenvolvimento dos micrósporos. O desenvolvimento dos micrósporos na espiga seguiu o padrão normal descrito para a espécie, independentemente dos nutrientes estudados. Concluiuse que as concentrações de nitrogênio influenciaram positivamente nos componentes do rendimento (exceto no comprimento da espiga), na formação de estruturas embriogênicas e na distância entre a folha bandeira e o último nó do colmo (marcador morfológico da coleta das espigas para cultura de anteras), enquanto que as concentrações de boro utilizadas no cultivo das plantas doadoras de anteras não apresentaram esse efeito.<br>Wheat is the staple food of humanity whose demand grows in proportion to the population growth. There is lack of research about the effect of the nutrition of the donor plant in the androgenetic response. This work aim for evaluate the influence of five concentrations of nitrogen and boron (25%, 50%, 100%, 150% and 200%) from the solution of Sarruge modified, in the cultivation of wheat plants donors of anthers aiming the obtainment of androgenetics embryogenic structures. Both for, were evaluated the yield components (number stalks, diameter and length of the main stem; length, width and area of flag leaf; chlorophyll content of flag leaf, distance between flag leaf and the last node and ear length); the accumulation of degree-days and cycle duration of sowing until collection of ears to the anther´s culture; the formation of androgenetics embryogenic structures and the development of microporous (determination of the number of cells in stages: tetrad, central mononucleate, peripheral mononucleate and binucleated and occurrence of pollen P). It was found that the concentrations of nitrogen significantly affected the yield components, the formation of androgenetics embryogenic structures and the development of microspores. The duration of the cycle of the cultivated plants in the concentration of 25% of nitrogen was lower than in other doses, presenting difference of up to 3.3 days when compared to plants subjected to higher doses. There was a linear increase in the production of androgenetics embryogenic structures in function of increasing doses of nitrogen used in cultivation of donor plants of the anthers. The doses of nitrogen interfered also at the stage of development of microspores, for all variables studied. This influence on the development of microspores was effective while the flag leaf less one was in the first third of displacement in relation to the total distance between the flag leaf and the last node of the culm. The concentrations of boron used in solutions of cultivation of wheat donors plants of anthers did not affect the income components, in the formation of embryogenic structures, on the duration of the cycle of the plant and in the majority of the variables studied in relation to the development of the microspores. The development of microspores in spike followed the normal pattern described for the species, regardless of the nutrients studied. It was concluded that the concentrations of nitrogen positively influenced in yield components (except the length of the ear), the formation of embryogenic structures on and the distance between the flag leaf and the last node of the culm (morphological marker of collection of ears to anther culture), while the concentrations of boron used for the cultivation of plants donated anthers did not have this effect.

When plants are exposed to multiple environmental stress factors, one form of stress can affect the response to another stress. This study used seedlings of a new cultivar of wheat(Triticum aestivum L. cv. 1862), grown under factorial combinations of two levels of ultraviolet-B (UV-B)radiation, two salinity regimes and two levels of iron treatment in chelator-buffered nutrient solutions in a growth chamber. A number of morphological and physiological measurements were made. The accumulation of chlorophyll, UVabsorbing compounds and proline in shoots, as well as phytosiderophores (PSs) in root exudates were measured. Feed value measurements included crude protein, water-soluble carbohydrates, acid detergent fibre and Fe in shoots and roots. After 21 days of stress exposure, results showed that Fe deficiency and NaCl stress generally decreased plant growth and function as well as nutritive value, but increased plant biochemical protection traits such as proline accumulation (16.3 fold under salinity stress) and release of PSs (2.4 fold under Fe deficiency). Interestingly, UV-B radiation affected belowground parameters, inducing a 47% reduction in PS release, together with decreasing root DM by 9% and Fe concentration in roots by 7%. When Fe deficiency and NaCl stress were combined, the results showed a decrease in PS release by 3.5 fold compared to unstressed plants. UV-B radiation synergistically increased UV-absorbing compound levels in combination with Fe deficiency, compared to plants grown under optimal Fe levels. This stress combination also resulted in a cumulative effect by decreasing Fe concentration in shoots and roots. However, salt stress did not interact with UV-B radiation for any of the traits measured. In addition, some three-way interactions were noted, with the Fe x NaCl x UV-B stress combination slightly decreasing PS release and resulting in a cumulative effect by decreasing Fe concentration in roots. In conclusion, this study found that aboveground stress factors such as UV-B can affect important aspects of belowground plant function, and that Fe deficiency can interact with UV-B and salinity stress in modifying plant responses to either stress alone.

Avec l'émergence des préoccupations d'économie d'intrants, de préservation de l'environnement et de la biodiversité, les associations, qui consistent en la culture d'au moins deux espèces différentes sur la même surface pendant une période significative de leur développement, présentent un regain d'intérêt en Europe. Ces associations pourraient avoir des applications intéressantes pour le développement de cultures « multiservices » à moindre niveau d'intrants (azote particulièrement). Des travaux antérieurs ont montré que les performances des associations céréale-légumineuse dépendent fortement du niveau d'azote minéral du sol Cependant on ne dispose pas à l'heure actuelle de références suffisantes pour piloter la fertilisation azotée de l'association en fonction de différents objectifs de production. Les objectifs de la thèse étaient (i) d'utiliser les connaissances précédemment acquises sur le fonctionnement dynamique d'une association pois-blé d'hiver pour étudier la pertinence de la fertilisation azotée comme levier pour orienter les performances des associations pois-blé vers différents objectifs de production en agriculture conventionnelle ; (ii) d'approfondir les connaissances sur le fonctionnement de l'association en réponse à différentes dynamiques de disponibilité en azote (partage des ressources azotées ; inhibition et réversibilité de la fixation symbiotique) ; (iii) d'apporter des pistes vers des règles de décision pour la gestion la fertilisation azotée de ces associations pour différents objectifs de production. Nos expérimentations de plein champ démontrent que la fertilisation azotée est un levier efficace pour orienter les performances finales notamment la proportion de chaque espèce dans le mélange, critère aujourd'hui mal maîtrisé. Un apport d'azote favorise la croissance de la céréale et pénalise celle de la légumineuse. La céréale apparaît plus compétitive que la légumineuse pour les ressources d'azote minéral pour une date d'apport intervenant avant début du remplissage des grains du pois. Cependant, l'intensité de la réponse à la date de fertilisation varie en fonction des écarts de dynamiques de croissance et de phénologie de chaque espèce avant l'apport, facteurs qui apparaissent déterminants dans le partage de l'N minéral et le comportement de la fixation symbiotique. Des expérimentations en conditions contrôlées ont permis d'approfondir l'effet inhibiteur des nitrates et la réversibilité de la fixation chez le pois en analysant séparément l'impact sur la structure et sur l'activité de l'appareil fixateur en fonction du stade phénologique et de la disponibilité en carbone. Une exposition aux nitrates pendant la phase végétative réduit la vitesse d'apparition des nodosités alors qu'une exposition durant la floraison et le remplissage des grains réduit la croissance des nodosités existantes. Les nitrates réduisent fortement l'activité fixatrice quelle que soit la date d'exposition aux nitrates. De plus, il a été démontré que la réversibilité de la fixation symbiotique après courte exposition aux nitrates était fonction de l'allocation carbonée aux nodosités. Ainsi, la réversibilité de la fixation symbiotique est possible chez le pois si une courte inhibition due nitrates survient avant les stades de remplissage du grain, ce qui est confirmé en situations de plein champ. Notre démarche de modélisation a par ailleurs aboutit au développement, à partir de deux modèles de culture pures (AZODYN pour le blé et AFISOL pour le pois), d'un modèle dynamique du fonctionnement de ces associations (AZODYN-IC) dont l'intérêt et l'originalité se situent dans (i) sa capacité à bien simuler la réponse à des disponibilités en azote variées permettant ainsi d'être directement opérationnel et utilisé comme outil d'aide à la gestion de la fertilisation azotée (ii) des formalismes relativement simples de partage des ressources (lumière, eau, azote) et comprenant un lien très étroit entre le partage de la lumière et l'acquisition de l'azote, déterminant dans le fonctionnement du peuplement, (iii) l'absence de paramétrage spécifique pour simuler le fonctionnement de l'association. Le modèle a permis de prolonger les expérimentations en simulant une gamme de stratégies de fertilisation plus large (combinaisons de proportions de semis x doses x dates de fertilisation) et ceci pour une gamme importante d'années climatiques. Ce travail a également permis de proposer des pistes vers des règles de décision de conduites azotées en fonction des reliquats d'azote observés sortie hiver, de la proportion de blé dans la biomasse de l'association observée sortie hiver, et de l'estimation de la minéralisation depuis la sortie hiver jusqu'à la récolte.

L'objectif poursuivi par cette étude est quadruple : 1. Vérifier les différents résultats obtenus précédemment en serre, concernant l'effet de la carence en cuivre au stade 4 de l'échelle de Frekes qui correspond au stade fin tallage-début montaison. 2. Analyser statistiquement les différents paramètres du rendement sur deux variétés de blé dur : Bidi 17 et Mondur. 3. Etudier en serre : la vitesse de migration du cuivre et sa distribution dans les différents organes du blé à l'aide du cuivre radioactif dont l'isotope est 64Cu ; l'effet d'un apport de cuivre sur des plantes carencées. 4. Appliquer en plein champ les résultats acquis en serre. En effet, les agriculteurs du Sud-Ouest ont des difficultés à obtenir régulièrement de hauts rendements en blé ; outre les conditions pédoclimatiques locales, il est possible qu'il existe certaines zones de déficience en cuivre. Ainsi, nous avons réalisé en plein champ, dans la zone du Lauragais et en conditions naturelles, des essais d'apport de cuivre en pulvérisation sanitaires aux stades 4 et 5 de l'échelle de Feekes. Les essais sont implantés dans les champs des agriculteurs après qu'ils aient effectué tous les travaux de séparation du sol, de fertilisation de fond et de couverture, de semis.

Dans son environnement, la plante interagit sans cesse avec des microorganismes. Elle est confrontée à une variété de microorganismes bénéfiques, neutres ou pathogènes, qui sont fortement dépendants des ressources carbonées que la plante libère dans le sol, leur conférant ainsi un apport de nutriments et d’énergie nécessaire à leur développement. La mycorhize à arbuscules est une symbiose mutualiste formée par 80% des plantes terrestres datant de l’Ordovicien, i.e. environ 450 millions d’années avant notre ère. L’ensemble des travaux de recherche présenté au sein de ce manuscrit, s’inscrit dans le cadre de deux objectifs généraux : (i) acquérir une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes à l’origine des relations trophiques chez la plante mycorhizée, et (ii) étudier l’impact de la mycorhization sur la production végétale tant en terme de quantité que de qualité. Nous avons étudié la réponse à la mycorhization de variétés anciennes de blé afin d’appréhender s’il existait une différence dans un environnement semi-contrôlé (serres) ou dans un environnement non contrôlées (champ), et/ou en fonction de la communauté de champignons mycorhiziens à arbuscules présente. Nos résultats ont mis en évidence que la mycorhization et la nature des champignons mycorhiziens arbusculaires endogènes peuvent influer sur le rendement au stade tallage, même chez des variétés de blé ayant une faible capacité mycorhizogène. Nous avons aussi illustré l’importance de bien choisir les critères utilisés pour mesurer ce gain éventuel. Dans un deuxième axe de recherche nous nous sommes intéressés à l’impact de la mycorhize à arbuscules sur le développement de la tomate Micro-Tom, et les échanges trophiques au cours de l’interaction. Nous avons pu mettre en évidence, grâce à une analyse multivariée, à la fois des différences de comportement parmi les plantes particulièrement aux stades fruit vert mature et fruit rouge mature selon la nature des champignons mycorhiziens à arbuscules présents, et des potentiels phénomènes d’interaction entre deux souches de champignons mycorhiziens à arbuscules; nos résultats confirmant que les arbuscules ne sont pas les seules sites d’échanges dans la mycorhize à arbuscules. Le troisième axe de ce travail a porté sur l’impact potentiel des méthodes de production de semences de variétés anciennes de tomate en condition de sécheresse, à la fois sur la communauté endogène de champignons mycorhiziens au champ, sur la tolérance de la plante au stress hydrique et sur la production végétale en terme de rendement et de qualité des fruits. Le site d’expérimentation se situait au Potager de santé (ferme de production de semences gérée par Pascal Poot). Nos résultats ne montrent aucune différence, en conditions de stress hydrique au champ, entre des variétés cultivées régulièrement sur ce site et des variétés commerciales. Alors, on peut se demander si d’autres facteurs liés au site d’exploitation, tels que les microorganismes interagissant avec les racines de la plante pourraient être à l’origine de la tolérance accrue au stress hydrique. Des travaux sont en cours au laboratoire pour étudier cette hypothèse. L’ensemble de ces travaux ouvrent la voie à de nouvelles recherches visant à élucider les mécanismes moléculaires impliqués dans la régulation des échanges trophiques au cours de la mycorhize à arbuscules et à la valorisation des services écosystémiques rendus par la mycorhize à arbuscules au champ<br>In its environment, the plant interacts constantly with microorganisms. It is confronted with a variety of beneficial, neutral or pathogenic microorganisms, which are highly dependent on the carbon resources that the plant releases into the soil, giving them a supply of nutrients and energy necessary for their development. The arbuscular mycorrhiza is a mutualistic symbiosis formed by 80% of terrestrial plants from the Ordovician period, i.e. about 450 million years ago. The research presented in this manuscript was focused on two main goals: (i) to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying trophic relationships in the mycorrhizal plant, and (ii) to study the impact of mycorhization on plant production, both in terms of quantity and quality. We investigated the mycorrhizal response of wheat landraces in order to understand if there were differences in a semi-controlled environment (greenhouses) or in an uncontrolled environment (field), and / or depending on the community of mycorrhizal fungi. Our results showed that mycorrhization and the nature of endogenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can affect yield, even in wheat varieties with low mycorrhizal ability. We also highlighted the importance of choosing the criteria used to measure this potential gain. In a second line of research, we were interested in the impact of arbuscular mycorrhiza on the development of Micro-Tom tomato, and the trophic exchanges during the interaction. Multivariate analysis revealed behavioral differences between plants at mature green fruit and red ripening stages depending on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal strain, as well as potential interaction event between two arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus trains. Our results confirm that the arbuscules are not the only sites of exchange in arbuscular mycorrhiza. The third axis of this work focused on the potential impact of seed production methods of ancient tomato varieties in drought condition, both on the endogenous community of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the field, on the tolerance of the plant to water stress and on crop production in terms of fruit yield and quality. The experimental site was located in the Potager de santé (seed farm managed by Pascal Poot). Our results show no difference, under conditions of water stress in the field, between varieties regularly cultivated on this site and commercial varieties. Then, one may wonder if other factors related to the exploitation site, such as the beneficial microorganisms interacting with the roots of the plants could be at the origin of the increased tolerance to water stress. Work is underway in the laboratory to study this hypothesis. All of this work paves the way for new research aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of trophic exchanges during arbuscular mycorrhizae and the valuation of the ecosystem services rendered by arbuscular mycorrhizae in the field

La parcelle de culture, unite caracteristique du paysage et echelle operationnelle pour l'agriculteur, constitue la surface elementaire de gestion de l'eau et de l'environnement. Aussi ce memoire s'attache a caracteriser a cette echelle variabilite des rendements des cultures et des bilans hydriques en confrontant approche experimentale et modelisation. Une meme methodologie a ete appliquee sur deux sites mediterraneens: en tunisie pour trois cultures pluviales et en france pour deux essais de sorghos irrigues par aspersion. La variabilite spatiale des rendements, de l'humidite du premier metre de sol et de l'irrigation est etudiee par la geostatistique. Puis les bilans hydriques locaux in situ sont etablis sur des stations tensioneutroniques representatives. La modelisation stationnelle est realisee en utilisant un modele deterministe simplifie du bilan hydrique de type capacitif, pilote et, dans le cas de montpellier, une fonction de rendement. En complement, une etude de sensibilite du modele a montre l'importance de l'estimation de la reserve mobilisable et de la variable reserve initiale. La variabilite simultanee, a l'echelle parcellaire, du sol (reserve mobilisable rm et reserve initiale ri) et de l'irrigation i a ete prise en compte grace a une version stochastique du modele, en utilisant la methode des bandes tournantes. Il a ainsi ete mis en evidence que: la variabilite du sol a une influence preponderante sur l'etr et le rendement ; la variance maximale de l'etr est observee en debut de stress ; les variogrammes des sorties du modele ont des structures emboitees fortement dependantes de la correlation entre ri et rm. L'approche developpee ici est la seule qui apprehende l'effet de la variabilite simultanee du sol et de l'irrigation sur le bilan hydrique et le rendement

The poor response of some plant species, e.g. wheat, to ammonium nutrition has been attributed to a diversion of carbon allocation from structural material for root extension to functions associated with the assimilation and translocation of ammonium in the root. The aim of this research was to investigate carbon allocation in response to ammonium or nitrate nutrition in wheat, an ammonium intolerant species, and maize, which exhibits ammonium tolerance. Experiments were carried out at 4mM and 12mM nitrogen feeding levels in sand and hydroponic culture respectively. pH of growth media was maintained at 6.0 to 6.5. Measurements made included shoot : root ratios, photosynthetic and root respiratory rates, plant water content, xylem sap analysis, and ¹⁴C and ¹⁵N allocation to soluble and bound nitrogen compounds, and soluble, storage and structural carbohydrates. Stunted root growth occurred in ammonium-fed wheat, which was exacerbated by increasing the NH4 concentration. No difference in growth response was evident between ammonium- and nitrate-fed maize. Photosynthetic rates of ammonium- and nitrate-fed plants within both species were similar but maize showed a 3-fold higher photosynthetic rate than wheat. Root respiration of ammonium- and nitrate-fed wheat was similar, while nitrate-fed maize appeared to have a higher root respiratory rate than ammonium-fed maize. Xylem sap analysis showed that for both species, ammonium-fed plants translocated more amino compounds and more carbon to the shoots than nitrate-fed plants, although maize appeared to have a more rapid translocation-rate than wheat. ¹⁴C allocation to nitrogenous compounds in roots of ammonium-fed plants was greater than that in nitrate-fed counterparts for both species. In wheat this increase appeared to be accommodated by a larger initial diversion of ¹⁴C to the root. In maize, reserve carbon in the root appeared to accommodate this increase. A reduction in ¹⁴C allocation to structural material in ammonium-fed plants compared to nitrate-fed counterparts was not evident in either species. ¹⁵N tracing in maize showed that significantly more nitrogen was taken up by ammonium-fed plants in comparison to nitrate-fed plants. The difference in total N between plants fed ammonium or nitrate was, however, not nearly as pronounced, suggesting that ammonium may be cycled out of the plant again. The response of wheat and maize to ammonium or nitrate nutrition is discussed independently, and suggestions for further research are made.

Le blé tendre, Triticum aestivum, est une des céréales les plus cultivées au monde et est d'une importance considérable pour l'alimentation humaine, fournissant environ un cinquième des calories consommées par l'Homme. Le rendement en grain chez les céréales dépend majoritairement du nombre et de la taille des grains. Chez le riz (Oryza sativa), le gène GW2 a été isolé dans un locus à effet quantitatif majeur pour la taille et le poids du grain. Ce gène code pour une enzyme E3 ligase de type RING, qui régule négativement la taille et le poids du grain de riz. L'homologue de GW2 chez le blé tendre, le gène TaGW2, est exprimé par trois copies TaGW2-A,TaGW2-B et TaGW2-D, portées par chacun des génomes homéologues A, B et D. Les trois copies présentent des profils d'expression distincts au cours du développement du grain. TaGW2-A a été cartographié dans une région de QTLs pour le rendement, sur le chromosome 6AS ; et du polymorphisme dans sa séquence promotrice et intronique a été retrouvé associé au poids de 1000-grains dans une core collection mondiale de blé tendre. Afin de rechercher la fonction de TaGW2, l'extinction stable des trois copies TaGW2 a été entreprise par ARN interférence. De manière surprenante, les plantes transgéniques montrent des réductions significatives des dimensions et du poids du grain de blé (- 22,5 et - 30% du volume et de la masse du grain, respectivement), ainsi que du nombre de cellules de l'albumen (- 25%), comparé aux plantes témoins dans nos conditions ; suggérant que TaGW2 est un régulateur positif de la taille finale du grain chez le blé tendre. La protéine TaGW2-A a été caractérisée aux niveaux moléculaire et biochimique : elle est une E3 ubiquitine ligase fonctionnelle in vitro, et s'accumule dans la cellule au niveau du nucléole, du nucléoplasme et du cytoplasme. Sa fonction E3 ligase semble notamment influencer sa localisation subcellulaire. Afin de déterminer la ou les voie(s) de signalisation dans la(es)quelle(s) intervient TaGW2, une banque ADNc de grains de blé a été construite et criblée par double-hybride avec 320 acides aminés de la protéine TaGW2-A. Les premiers interacteurs potentiels identifiés suggèrent d'une part un rôle de TaGW2 dans la régulation de la division cellulaire, et d'autre part une fonction E3 Nedd8 ligase, en plus de son activité E3 ligase.

Le rendement en grains (Rdt) et la teneur en protéines (%Prot) sont deux cibles majeures dans les programmes de sélection variétale chez le blé car ces caractères contribuent à la valeur économique de cette culture. Malheureusement, leur amélioration simultanée est empêchée par la relation négative %Prot-Rdt. Il a été montré que l'écart à cette relation ("Grain Protein Deviation", GPD) est déterminé en partie génétiquement et serait utile pour modifier cette relation négative mais ses bases biologiques restent mal comprises à ce jour. Nous avons montré que le GPD est principalement relié à la variabilité génétique pour l'absorption d'azote post-floraison (ABSN) dans les conditions agro-climatiques du Nord-Ouest de l'Europe. Nous proposons que la variabilité génétique pour l'accès à l'azote du sol (architecture et fonctionnement racinaire) ou pour la régulation de ABSN par le statut azoté (transport et assimilation de l'azote) pourrait expliquer le GPD. Etant donné que le retardement de la sénescence durant la période post-floraison peut résulter en une augmentation de ABSN, nous avons analysé les déterminants génétique des relations entre durée de sénescence des feuilles après floraison et Rdt ou %Prot, observées au niveau phénotypique, en utilisant des données acquises sur une population de cartographie de blé cultivée au sein d'un large réseau expérimental. Une association positive entre durée de sénescence des feuilles après floraison et %Prot ou Rdt a été observée selon les environnements étudiés. Nous faisons l'hypothèse que l'impact d'un retardement de la sénescence des feuilles après floraison pourrait être modulé selon la disponibilité en azote durant cette période, ce qui conduirait à modifier la relation %Prot-Rdt selon les environnements étudiés. Enfin, des données obtenues sur trois populations de cartographie cultivées dans un large réseau expérimental ont permis de suggérer, après méta-analyse de QTL, des régions génomiques potentiellement utiles en sélection pour améliorer la %Prot sans diminuer le Rdt. Ceci a permis de mettre en avant des régions situées sur les chromosomes 2A et 3B. En particulier, la région située sur le 2A pourrait être reliée à la présence d'un gène codant pour une glutamine synthétase chloroplastique qui a été associée à la variabilité génétique pour %Prot chez le blé tendre dans une étude antérieure.

This study occurred during July, August, and September in the Small Animals Investigation and Production Center (CIPAM), dependent of the Faculty of Agricultural, Livestock, and Veterinary Sciences of the Technical University of Oruro, of the Central Highland of Bolivia. In order to satisfy guinea pig nutrition requirements, which are 2800.00 kcal/kg of energy, 18.00% protein, 10.00% fiber, 1.00% calcium, and 0.60% phosphorus, the following ingredients were used in feed: 11.30% yellow corn, 30.00% milled wheat [Bromus catharticus], 14.00% soy cake, 32.00% wheat bran, 9.00% alfalfa flour, 1.80% bone flour, 1.00% conchilla, 0.50% common salt, and 0.40% methionine. The effect that vitamin C deficiency causes is scurvy, with 100% mortality of guinea pigs at 28 days without green forage. This investigation was made with supplementation of canahua, wheat, and soybean sprouts in the growth stage with the object of replacing green forage in winter by presenting vitamin C. Canihua sprouts at 8 days gave a maximum of 6.28mg of vitamin C /100g of sample, and wheat sprouts at 8 days gave a maximum of 16.09mg of vitamin C/100g of sample. Soybean sprouts at 13 days reached 21.41mg of vitamin C /100g of sample, which continued to increase, but one should be warned that maintaining sprouts of this species is expensive. Rations consisted of 90.00g of sprouts plus 72.00g of feed per guinea pig, with the oral administration of 12.98mg of vitamin C in water solution per guinea pig used in the area. The reason is the improvement in guinea pig meat production with high protein content (20.30%), compared to cattle (17.50%) and sheep (14.50%), and the lower cholesterol of guinea pig (7.80%) compared to cattle (21.80%) and sheep (37.80%), and at a lower cost, with organic sprouts of high nutritional value. The canahua-soybean sprout treatment with 45% dry matter, 5.73% ash, 7.03% ether extract, 25.50% protein, 6.85% raw fiber, and 51.58% free nitrogen extract at 64 days of winter growth showed a live weight gain of 437.73g in relation to pure feed of 66.05% dry matter, 7.33% ash, 2.83% ether abstract, 19.51% raw protein, 7.52% raw fiber, and 56.46% free nitrogen extract with 359.23g. The difference is 78.50g, which is significant at 0.05 with a t-test. The result indicates that the canahua-soybean interaction is the best for live weight gain at 64 days of growth with respect to normal feed, for which the null hypothesis is rejected and the alternative hypothesis accepted. The live weight gain by sex in guinea pigs at 48 and 64 days of growth was highly significant, in females from 206.67g (4.3g/day) to 303.29g (4.74g/day) and in males from 262.27g (5.46g/day) to 392.27g (6.13g/day), with differences between males and females of 55.6 and 89g. These results show that male guinea pigs generally gain more weight than females during growth, which could be commercialized in the opportune moment. The food conversion between sexes fed with the different sprouts at 64 days of growth was 9.55 in females and 7.62 in males, a difference of 1.90. Also, the sex-soybean interaction in females with soybean was 10.31 and in males with soybean 6.79, a difference of 3.52, which is significant at 0.01. Similarly, the food conversion at 64 days of treatment by canahua sprouts and a feed with 41.34% dry matter, 5.69% ash, 3.47% ether extract, 20.58% raw protein, 8.04% raw fiber, and 56.25% free nitrogen extract is 7.90. In relation to just the feed it is 9.20, with a difference of 1.30. In a t-test this is significant at 0.05. These results show that male guinea pigs eat less food and grow more than females under the same conditions. The lowest production cost was obtained with canahua-feed interaction, in females Bs4.0/guinea pig (US$0.501) and in males Bs3.9/guinea pig (US$0.488). Canahua-soybean interaction yielded Bs5.50/guinea pig (US$0.689) for females and Bs5.50/guinea pig (US$0.689) for males. Normal feed yielded Bs4.20/guinea pig (US$0.526) for females and Bs5.40/guinea pig (US$0.676) for males. (US$1 = Bs7.98). Also, there was a percentage variation for the canahua-soybean-feed interaction in females of 5.00% lower than just feed and in males 27.80% lower than just feed. These results show that it is best to use canahua sprouts plus feed because this gives the lowest costs of feeding growing guinea pigs in winter.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T16:44:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGPV13MA127.pdf: 511615 bytes, checksum: 8ea8d8706c74bcaf1ec6542c4f4ef048 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-25<br>The lack of incentive to production, small crop area and low grain yield are the main factors to annual deficit in Brazilian wheat production. The production can be increased by the area and/or grain yield. The use of nitrogen in wheat can to increase grain yield, but the N excess associated to the weather (rain and wind) can lead the occurrence of lodging and negatively affect the yield and grain quality. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen application during the grain filling, associated with the use of plant growth retardants on the characteristics of plant height, yield and industrial quality of wheat cultivar Mirante. The experiment was carried out under field conditions in the experimental area of the Santa Catarina State University - UDESC in Lages SC, in the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications. For plant height and yield were used two times of application of nitrogen (at vegetative and vegetative plus reproductive stages) associated with six- growth retardants. For industrial quality evaluations the nitrogen topdressing was used in two application times (at vegetative and vegetative plus reproductive stages) associated with etil-trinexapac retardant. In both experiments the retardants were applied in two doses (stages 31 and 32 first and second visible nodes in the main stem of the plant) plus the control. Treatments were: control (no retardant), mepiquat chloride (25 g a.i. ha-¹), chlorocoline chloride (25 g a.i. ha-¹), chlormequat chloride (25 g a.i. ha-¹), etil-trinexapac (100 g a.i. ha-¹), proexadione-Ca (110 g a.i. ha-¹) and ethephon (110 g a.i. ha-¹), which were applied by sprayer pressurized with CO2 at a rate equivalent to 200 L ha-¹. The use of growth retardant lead to shortest plant height, and the etil-trinexapac and proexadione-Ca were provided to lowest plant height. The use growth retardant plus nitrogen fertilization in the reproductive stage did not affect grain yield. The use of etil-trinexapac positively affected the tenacity, extensibility, extensibility and toughness over falling number. Applying N at reproductive stage of wheat led to an increase in sedimentation, extensibility, protein content, wet gluten, dry gluten and gluten strength in improving the industrial quality of wheat; however the magnitude of the response was dependent manner of the environmental conditions in each crop year<br>A falta de incentivo à produção, a pequena área cultivada e os baixos tetos produtivos são fatores que contribuem para o déficit anual na produção brasileira de trigo. O aumento da produção pode ser por aumento da área e/ou da produtividade de grãos. O uso de nitrogênio na cultura do trigo visa o aumento da produtividade, porém o excesso deste nutriente aliado ao clima (chuva e vento) pode favorecer a ocorrência de acamamento e diminuir o rendimento e a qualidade final dos grãos. Desta forma, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de nitrogênio em cobertura durante o estádio vegetativo e reprodutivo, associado ao uso prévio de redutores de crescimento sobre as características de altura de planta, produtividade e qualidade industrial do trigo, cultivar Mirante. O experimento foi conduzido em campo, na área experimental da Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC, em Lages SC, nos anos agrícolas 2011 e 2012. O delineamento experimental empregado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Para altura de plantas e produtividade foram utilizados dois diferentes momentos de aplicação de nitrogênio em cobertura (estádio vegetativo) e (estádio vegetativo+reprodutivo) associado ao uso prévio de seis redutores de crescimento. Para a qualidade industrial foi utilizado o nitrogênio em dois diferentes momentos de aplicação de nitrogênio em cobertura (estádio vegetativo) e (estádio vegetativo+reprodutivo) associado ao uso prévio do redutor de crescimento etil-trinexapac. Em ambos os experimento os redutores foram aplicados em duas doses (estádios 31 e 32 primeiro e segundo nós visíveis no colmo da planta) mais a testemunha. Os redutores utilizados foram: testemunha (sem redutor), cloreto de mepiquate (25 g i.a. ha-¹), cloreto de clormequate (25 g i.a. ha-¹), cloreto de clorocolina (25 g i.a. ha-¹), etil-trinexapac (100 g i.a. ha-¹), proexadione-Ca (110 g i.a. ha-¹) e o etefom (110 g i.a. ha-¹); os quais foram aplicados via pulverizador costal pressurizado com CO2, com uma vazão equivalente a 200 L ha-¹. O emprego dos redutores de crescimento reduziu a altura das plantas, sendo que o etil-trinexapac e o proexadione-Ca foram os que proporcionaram plantas de menor altura. O uso dos redutores de crescimento e da adubação nitrogenada no estádio vegetativo+reprodutivo não afetou o rendimento de grãos. O emprego do etil-trinexapac afetou positivamente a tenacidade, extensibilidade, relação tenacidade/extensibilidade e o número de queda. A aplicação de N na fase reprodutiva do trigo propiciou um aumento na extensibilidade, teor de proteína, glúten úmido, glúten seco e na força do glúten melhorando a qualidade industrial do trigo, entretanto a magnitude da resposta foi dependente do ano agrícola

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-25T19:29:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Susana Churka Blum.pdf: 549899 bytes, checksum: 3f19c8ae259235e6dc9a590dce6fda78 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-02-14<br>Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior<br>Gypsum application provides chemical changes on soil that can improve crop yield. This study was carried out to investigate the gypsum application and reapplication effects on soil chemical attributes, mineral nutrition and wheat and soybean grain yields under a no-till system. A field experiment was established in 1998 on a dystrophic clayey Rhodic Hapludox, in Ponta Grossa, Parana State, Brazil. A randomized complet block design was used, with three replications, in a split plot experiment. Gypsum was surface-applied at rates of 0, 3, 6, and 9 t ha-1 in 1998 (main plots) and two rates of gypsum at 0 and 6 t ha-1 were reapplied on the soil surface in 2004 (subplots). Mineral nutrition and graind yields of wheat (cv. OR 1), conventional soybean (cv. BRS 154) and tansgenic soybean (cv. CD 214 RR) were evalueted in the period of 2005-2007. Gypsum rates applied in 1998 presented long-term effects, mainly increasing the S-SO4 2- content and raising wheat dry mass. Grain yields of wheat, conventional soybean and transgenic soybean were not influenced by gypsum applied in 1998. Gypsum reaplication in 2004 increased the exchangeable Ca2+ and S-SO4 2- contents in all soil profile (0-60 cm), increased Ca2+/Mg2+ ratio, mainly on topsoil (0-5 and 5-10 cm), decreased Al3+ saturation on subsoil (20-40 and 40-60 cm) and provided leaching of exchangeable Mg2+ from topsoil (0-5 cm). Gypsum reapplication increased the concentrations of K, Ca, and S in wheat leaves and the Ca concentration in conventional soybean (cv. BRS 154) leaves. Grain yields of wheat and transgenic soybean (cv. CD 214 RR) were increased by gypsum reapplication. The increment in wheat yield with gypsum reapplication was related to increase in exchangeable Ca2+, Ca2+/Mg2+ ratio, and S-SO4 2- content, and also to decrease in exchangeable Al3+ and Al3+ saturation in the subsoil layers. Transgenic soybean yield (CD 214 RR) was higher with gypsum reapplication due to increase in the S-SO4 2- level in the soil, showing that the transgenic genotype (CD 214 RR) has probably demand higher in sulfur than the conventional genotype (cv. BRS 154). Gypsum reapplication at 6 t ha-1 in 2004 increased the cumulative grain yield of wheat and soybean in 7% in the period from 2005 through 2007, indicating technical viability on soil with low acidity in the subsurface layers.<br>A adição de gesso agrícola proporciona modificações químicas no solo que podem beneficiar a produção das culturas. Com o objetivo de estudar os efeitos da aplicação e reaplicação de gesso agrícola nos atributos químicos do solo, na nutrição mineral e na produção de grãos de trigo, soja convencional e soja transgênica cultivados em sistema plantio direto, realizou-se um experimento em um Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico textura argilosa, em Ponta Grossa (PR). O delineamento experimental empregado foi o de blocos completos ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições. As parcelas receberam quatro doses de gesso (0, 3, 6 e 9 t ha-1) em 1998 e, nas subparcelas, foram reaplicadas duas doses de gesso (0 e 6 t ha-1) em 2004. As culturas de trigo (cv. OR 1), soja convencional (cv. BRS 154) e soja transgênica (cv. CD 214 RR) foram avaliadas quanto a nutrição mineral e a produção de grãos no período de 2005-2007. As doses de gesso aplicadas em 1998 tiveram efeito de longa duração no solo, principalmente no aumento da disponibilidade de S-SO4 2-, aumentaram a produção de massa seca do trigo, mas não influenciaram a produção de grãos de trigo e soja - convencional e transgênica. A reaplicação de gesso efetuada em 2004 aumentou os teores de Ca2+ trocável e de sulfato disponível em todo o perfil do solo (0-60 cm), aumentou a relação Ca2+/Mg2+, principalmente nas camadas superficiais do solo (0-5 e 5-10 cm), reduziu a saturação por Al3+nas camadas do subsolo (20-40 e 40-60 cm) e promoveu lixiviação de Mg2+ trocável da camada superficial do solo (0-5 cm). A reaplicação de gesso aumentou os teores de K, Ca e S nas folhas de trigo e de Ca nas folhas de soja convencional (cv. BRS 154). A produção de grãos do trigo e de soja transgênica (cv. CD 214 RR) foi aumentada com a reaplicação de gesso. O aumento na produção de trigo com a reaplicação de gesso esteve relacionado com o aumento de Ca2+trocável, da relação Ca/Mg e do sulfato disponível no solo, e ainda, com a diminuição do Al3+trocável e da saturação por Al3+ nas camadas do subsolo. A produção de soja transgênica (cv. CD 214 RR) foi aumentada devido ao aumento de sulfato disponível no solo proporcionado pela reaplicação de gesso, mostrando que o genótipo transgênico (CD 214 RR) provavelmente possui maior exigência em enxofre do que o genótipo convencional (cv. BRS 154). A reaplicação de 6 t ha-1 de gesso em 2004 aumentou em 7% a produção acumulada de grãos de trigo e soja no período de 2005–2007, mostrando viabilidade técnica em solo com baixa acidez em subsuperfície.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-25T19:31:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Shivelly Galetto.pdf: 3409300 bytes, checksum: 3a6b231c97f2d660f8aa073c74bf43f9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-16<br>Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior<br>The main objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of phosphate fertilization influenced by the application of agricultural gypsum for wheat and soybean crops under notillage system. For this, two experiments were carried out in the field and two in a greenhouse.The experiments in the field were installed in October 2013 in the municipality of Ponta Grossa – PR, in two Oxisols with different textural classes: a Red Oxisol (LV) clay texture and a Red-Yellow Oxisol (LVA) sandy-loam texture. The experimental design of the two soils was a randomized complete block in a split-plot, with three replications. In the plots,four rates of P (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg P2O5 ha-1) in the form of triple superphosphate (TSP) were applied at sowing and, in the subplots, four rates of agricultural gypsum (0, 2, 4 and 6 t ha-1),on the soil surface, before soybean sowing. In both soils, the immediate effects of treatments with P2O5 and gypsum in the soybean crop were evaluated. The effects of treatments on the succession of wheat (2014) – soybean (2014–15) were also evaluated in the clay Red Oxisol.In this case, in each crop (soybean and wheat), the same rates of P P2O5, in the form of TSP,were applied at the sowing, and the residual effect of the application of agricultural gypsum was evaluated. The experiments in greenhouse were carried out with wheat and soybean crops in undisturbed columns of soil. The PVC columns were taken from the Red Oxisol used in the field experiment. The experimental design used for each culture was in randomized blocks in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme, with four replications. The treatments were: control, agricultural gypsum and pure CaSO4.2H2O, without and with application of P2O5, in the form of TSP. The rate of agricultural gypsum and pure CaSO4.2H2O was corresponding to 6 t ha-1 and the rate of P was 90 kg ha-1 of P2O5. In all experiments, soil chemical attributes, plant attributes (nutrient extraction and dry mass production) and root attributes were evaluated. In the field experiments, nutritional diagnosis, nutrient exportation and grain yield of the crops were also evaluated. The P utilization efficiencies were calculated for wheat and soybean crops. In general, it was observed that, in the short term, gypsum did not influence P use efficiency (PUE) by soybean cultivated in RL and BL, but the residual effect of gypsum increased PUE by the rate of 5 t ha-1, and also the PUE of the soybean, up to the rate of 4.3 t ha-1. Adjusting the gypsum and P at sowing rates appropriately, it was possible to obtain high grain yields of wheat (above 4,5 t ha-1) and soybean (above 4 t ha-1) and provides economy of the phosphate fertilizer. However, it has been observed in all years that the highest rate of P at sowing (90 kg ha-1 of P2O5) associated with the highest rate of agricultural gypsum (6 t ha-1), in soils that had high levels of P, impaired root growth and wheat and soybean grain yields. In the experiments in greenhouse, it was verified that the application of pure CaSO4.2H2O and with 90 kg ha-1 of P2O5 at the sowing promoted improvement in the root system and in the production of wheat dry mass, and did not interfere in the soybean crop. These results have shown that the use of gypsum can increase PUE and improve the productive performance of wheat and soybean plants. However, the use of high rates of P at sowing associated with high rates of agricultural gypsum should be carried out with caution, especially in soils that already have adequate levels of available P, so that crop performance do not be impaired.<br>O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência da adubação fosfatada influenciada pela aplicação de gesso agrícola para as culturas de trigo e soja, em sistema plantio direto. Para isso, foram realizados dois experimentos em campo e dois em ambiente protegido. Os experimentos no campo foram instalados em outubro de 2013 no município de Ponta Grossa – PR, em dois solos com diferentes classes texturais: um Latossolo Vermelho (LV) textura argilosa e um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo (LVA) textura franco-arenosa. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos completos ao acaso, no esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições. Nas parcelas, foram aplicadas, no sulco de semeadura, quatro doses de P (0,30, 60 e 90 kg P2O5 ha-1) na forma de superfosfato triplo (SFT) e, nas subparcelas, foram empregadas doses de gesso agrícola (0, 2, 4 e 6 t ha-1), antes da semeadura da soja. Em ambos os solos, foram avaliados os efeitos imediatos dos tratamentos com P2O5 e gesso na cultura da soja. No Latossolo Vermelho argiloso também foram avaliados os efeitos dos tratamentos na sucessão de culturas trigo (2014) – soja (2014–15). Nesse caso, em cada cultivo de soja e trigo, as mesmas doses de P2O5, na forma de SFT, foram aplicadas no sulco de semeadura, sendo avaliado o efeito residual da aplicação de gesso agrícola. Os experimentos em ambiente protegido foram realizados com as culturas de trigo e soja, em colunas indeformadas de solo. As colunas em PVC foram retiradas do Latossolo Vermelho utilizado no experimento de campo. O delineamento experimental utilizado, para cada cultura, foi em blocos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 3 × 2, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: controle, gesso agrícola e CaSO4.2H2O puro, sem e com aplicação de P2O5, na forma de SFT. A dose de gesso agrícola e de CaSO4.2H2O puro foi correspondente a 6 t ha-1 e a dose de P foi de 90 kg ha-1 de P2O5. Em todos os experimentos foram avaliados atributos químicos de solo, atributos de planta (extração de nutrientes e produção de massa seca) e atributos de raízes. Nos experimentos no campo foram ainda avaliados a diagnose nutricional, a exportação de nutrientes e o rendimento de grãos das culturas. As eficiências de aproveitamento do P também foram calculadas paras culturas de trigo e soja. De maneira geral, observou-se que,em curto prazo, o gesso não influenciou a eficiência de uso do P (EUP) pela soja cultivada nos solos LV e LVA, mas o efeito residual do gesso aumentou a EUP pela cultura do trigo,até a dose de 5 t ha-1, e também a EUP da soja, até a dose de 4,3 t ha-1. Ajustando-se adequadamente as doses de gesso e as doses de P na semeadura, além da economia do fertilizante fosfatado, foi possível obter altas produtividades de grãos de trigo (acima de 4,5 t ha-1) e soja (acima de 4 t ha-1). Porém, observou-se, em todos os anos, que a dose mais elevada de P na semeadura (90 kg ha-1 de P2O5) associada à dose mais elevada de gesso agrícola (6 t ha-1), em solos que continham altos teores de P, prejudicou o crescimento radicular e o rendimento de grãos de trigo e soja. Nos experimentos em ambiente protegido, constatou-se que a aplicação de CaSO4.2H2O puro juntamente com 90 kg ha-1 de P2O5 na semeadura promoveu melhoria no sistema radicular e na produção de massa seca da parte área de plantas de trigo, e não interferiu na cultura da soja. Esses resultados comprovaram que a utilização de gesso pode aumentar a EUP e melhorar o desempenho produtivo das plantas de trigo e soja. Porém, a utilização de altas doses de P na semeadura associada com altas doses de gesso agrícola deve ser realizada com cautela, principalmente em solos que já apresentem teores adequados de P disponível, para que o desempenho das culturas não seja prejudicado.

Dans la perspective d'améliorer le niveau et la régularité du rendement en semences hybrides, nous nous sommes intéresses aux facteurs limitants le potentiel des 2 lignées parentales. En ce qui concerne la lignée porte graine, en conditions contrôlées, deux doses d'ACH sont testées et sont comparées à la castration manuelle. Quel que soit le traitement, les stigmates restent réceptifs (c'est à dire que les grains de pollen peuvent y germer) pendant au moins 12 jours. Par contre, au niveau de la réceptivité des ovaires, une période de 7 jours est dégagée. Durant cette période, à la fois la quantité et la qualité de la production de semences sont optimales. Sur maître brin, ni l'intensité, ni la durée de réceptivité ne sont affectées par les traitements ACH. Les talles sont en revanche plus sensibles au surdosage d'ACH. Au niveau de la lignée pollinisatrice, nous montrons au champ que la production en semences est directement corrélée à la quantité de grains de pollen disséminés. Cette dissémination dépend du nombre de grains de pollen émis par la lignée pollinisatrice mais aussi de la vitesse et surtout de la direction du vent. La comparaison de 11 variétés pollinisatrices suggère que le paramètre longueur des anthères est un bon critère de sélection des lignées males puisque plus les anthères sont longues plus le nombre de grains de pollen émis par un épi est élève. Des situations limitantes (en eau ou en azote) se produisant à la méiose provoquent une stérilité mâle alors que les organes femelles ne sont pas affectés. De la même manière, l'utilisation de produits phytosanitaires (substances de croissance et fongicides) réduit la quantité et la qualité des grains de pollen émis. Nous en concluons que dans le cadre de la production de semences hybrides de blé, il faut être beaucoup plus vigilant aux conditions de croissance de la plante que lors d'une culture classique

Le blé (Triticum aestivum L.) et l'orge (Hordeum vulgare L.) figurent parmi les principales céréales cultivées dans le monde de par leur importance économique et sociale. Cependant, leurs rendements peuvent chuter de plus de 40% lorsqu'elles sont infectées par l'ascospore Zymoseptoria tritici, provoquant la septoriose du blé, et par Pyrenophora teres responsable de l'helminthosporiose de l'orge. Ainsi, afin de minimiser le recours aux produits phytosanitaires, l'objectif de cette thèse était d'identifier une souche pouvant réduire significativement les symptômes causés par ces deux agents pathogènes. La souche Bacillus velezensis BE2 DSM115797, a ainsi été retenue pour ses propriétés antifongiques, tant in vitro qu'in planta. Une étude approfondie des mécanismes d'action a révélé qu'en étant appliquée au niveau des racines de blé et d'orge, la bactérie réduisait significativement les symptômes foliaires, en induisant une résistance systémique de la plante. Des études transcriptomiques et métabolomiques ont confirmé que la bactérie, une fois appliquée, ne déclenchait pas de réponse de défense dans la plante. Cependant, après une infection pathogène, les plantes inoculées avec la souche BE2 démontraient une activation plus marquée de leurs mécanismes de défense, témoignant d'un effet de potentialisation chez la plante. À l'échelle de la bactérie, un antagonisme direct a également été démontré avec l'identification de métabolites secondaires présentant des effets antifongiques sur les deux champignons. De plus, la production de ces métabolites variait en fonction de la présence des pathogènes<br>Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) are among the main cereals cultivated worldwide due to their economic and social significance. However, their yield can drop by more than 40% when infected by the ascospore Zymoseptoria tritici, causing wheat septoria, and by Pyrenophora teres, which causes net blotch. Therefore, to reduce the use of pesticides, this project aimed to identify a strain that can significantly reduce the symptoms caused by these two pathogens. The strain Bacillus velezensis BE2 DSM115797 was chosen for its antifungal properties, both in vitro and in planta. An in-depth study of the mechanisms of action revealed that, when applied to the roots of wheat and barley, the bacterium significantly reduced leaf symptoms, inducing systemic resistance in the plant. Transcriptomic and metabolomic studies confirmed that the bacteria, once applied, did not trigger an immediate response in the plant. However, after a pathogenic infection, plants inoculated with the BE2 strain showed a more pronounced activation of their defense mechanisms, leading to a potentiating effect in the plant. At the bacterial level, a direct antagonism was also demonstrated with the identification of secondary metabolites that have antifungal effects on both fungi. Moreover, the production of these metabolites varied based on the presence of the pathogens

Domestication of plants and plant breeding have dramatically eroded the allelic variations of crop species which led to an increasing susceptibility of crop plants to environmental stresses, diseases and pests. Drought is a major environmental stress factor that affects the growth and development of plants so the selection of tolerant genotypes becomes increasingly important with respect to the predicted effects of global warming. In this study, several genotypes of Spelt (Triticum aestivum var. spelta) were tested under low water supply in soil with the aim of to find Spelt genotypes more resistant than wheat to these conditions, and select them so that in future may be used to improve wheat crops. Morphological analyses were performed and mineral and enzymatic analyses and also dry matter production were calculated. Our results suggests that the genotypes Sp53, Sp96, Sp912, Sp757 and Sp804 are a potential ones to use in breeding programs to improve wheat production. Under drought, these genotypes had growth efficiency of 38%, 45%, 64%, 37%, and 31% respectively and also showed higher biomass than modern wheat and were also mineralogical richer. The genotypes Sp96 and Sp912 showed highest activity of all antioxidants enzymes tested. This work proves that Spelt is a good wheat to continue to study in order to improve wheat crops in dry areas and consequently increase the quality of life and health of the populations living in those areas.

Wheat production is the largest enterprise within the Australian grain industry, with an annual gross value of production of approximately $4 billion. However high temperature stress (>35°C) and zinc (Zn) deficiency in soils are a frequent occurrence across the Australian wheat belt and represent two of the most important environmental limitations to wheat production and grain quality. The work presented here has shown for the first time that Zn nutrition can provide wheat plants with a level of tolerance to high temperature stress. Field trials, along with controlled environment studies, showed that supplementary Zn nutrition improved photosynthetic activity during a high temperature event, by stabilising chlorophyll initial fluorescence, Fo. Since increases in Fo under heat stress are associated with an increase in lipid fluidity of the thylakoid membranes at high temperature, the results suggested that adequate Zn fertilisation could preserve membrane integrity during heat stress. Electron microscopy confirmed this hypothesis, and showed that adequate Zn nutrition could maintain the integrity of a number of cellular membranes during high temperature, including the tonoplast, chloroplast envelope and the thylakoid membranes. Measurements of canopy temperature depression showed an improvement in the evaporative cooling of the canopy with supplementary Zn nutrition in the Zn inefficient varieties, suggesting better soil water extraction under warm conditions. Supplementary Zn nutrition also increased the kernel weight of plants grown under warm conditions in the field, however this was unrelated to the improvement in photosynthetic ctivity. Nevertheless, results from both controlled environment and field experiments demonstrated that the detrimental effects of low Zn availability and high temperature on the yield of Zn inefficient or thermosensitive wheat varieties will be most damaging when these stresses occur in combination. Analysis of protein composition showed that supplementary Zn fertilisation increased the glutenin:gliadin ratio in the grain. This suggests that Zn fertilisation may improve the bread-making quality of wheat under conditions of Zn deficiency. The results also showed a negative association between grain Zn concentration and the number of days over 35°C during grain filling, which suggests that the negative effects of high temperature stress on grain protein composition will be compounded when plants are grown on soils of low Zn availability. This thesis represents a valuable contribution to the understanding of the relationships between micronutrient supply and environmental stress. Further studies should be undertaken to establish whether the protective effect of Zn on the photosynthetic apparatus will be maintained under consecutive heat stress events, to determine the ways in which Zn ions stabilise and protect bio- membranes under heat stress and to confirm the positive effects of Zn on grain protein composition and baking quality.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Agriculture and Wine, 2004.