Evidence for magnesium–phosphorus synergism and co-limitation of grain yield in wheat agriculture

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 9012
• Main Authors: Weih, Martin, Liu, Hui, Colombi, Tino, Keller, Thomas, Jäck, Ortrud, Vallenback, Pernilla, Westerbergh, Anna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 27-04-2021; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/449/2668; 704/158/2455; 704/158/2456; Agricultural production; Agricultural Science; Agronomy; Cereal crops; Crop production; Crop yield; Crops; Ecological research; Grain; Humanities and Social Sciences; Jordbruksvetenskap; Magnesium; multidisciplinary; Nutrients; Phosphorus; Plant breeding; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Synergism; Wheat
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88588-8

Modern crop production is characterized by high nitrogen (N) application rates, which can influence the co-limitation of harvested yield by other nutrients. Using a multidimensional niche volume concept and scaling exponents frequently applied in plant ecological research, we report that increased N and phosphorus (P) uptake in a growing wheat crop along with enhanced grain biomass is associated with more than proportional increase of other nutrients. Furthermore, N conversion efficiency and grain yield are strongly affected by the magnesium (Mg) to P ratio in the growing crop. We analyzed a field trial in Central Sweden including nine wheat varieties grown during two years with contrasting weather, and found evidence for Mg co-limitation at lower grain yields and P co-limitation at higher yields. We argue that critical concentrations of single nutrients, which are often applied in agronomy, should be replaced by nutrient ratios. In addition, links between plant P and Mg contents and root traits were found; high root number enhanced the P:N ratio, whilst steep root angle, indicating deep roots, increased the Mg:N ratio. The results have significant implications on the management and breeding targets of agriculturally grown wheat, which is one of the most important food crops worldwide.