Dry matter accumulation nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in winter triticale genotypes differing in mineral elements utilization efficiency

In our previous studies we found the considerable genotypic variation in N, P, K utilization efficiency at shooting phase of winter triticale plants. The objective of this study was to confirm whether, genetic differences in mineral element utilization at the shooting phase, were related to productivity as well as was nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation by winter triticale plants during entire growth period. The experiment was conducted at reduced level of mineral elements in water culture (50% of standard Hoagland solution) under controlled environments (growth chambers) to full maturity. The efficient winter triticale genotypes showed significantly higher dry matter, nitrogen and phosphorus content and N, P utilization efficiency during the whole growth period. Furthermore these genotypes had higher grain yield and harvest index in comparison to inefficient genotypes. The efficient winter triticale genotypes accumulated most of biomass in post-anthesis period and N, P uptake remained high until the late maturation.