Nitrogen application and osmotic stress antagonistically affect wheat seed germination and seedling growth

Abstract

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition (AtNiDe) and drought stress (DS) have strongly affected plant growth. However, previous research has primarily focused on the effects of AtNiDe with various levels and DS on plant growth (especially seed germination and seedling growth). This study aimed to evaluate the single and combined effects of AtNiDe with four types (compounds: NH₄–N, NO₃–N, CO(NH₂)₂–N, and a mixture of the three types of N) and DS (three levels: control, low, and high) on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. The AtNiDe treatment increased wheat seed germination and seedling growth. Mixed N exerted a greater positive effect on wheat seed germination and seedling growth than single N forms. Organic N also had a greater positive effect on wheat seed germination and seedling growth than reduced inorganic N. The DS treatment decreased wheat seed germination and seedling growth. The AtNiDe treatment alleviated the adverse effects of DS on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. Mixed N had the greatest effect on alleviating the adverse effects of DS on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. Thus, AtNiDe and DS antagonistically affected wheat seed germination and seedling growth.

NOVELTY STATEMENT This study assessed the single and combined effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition with four types and drought stress at three levels on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. Generally, nitrogen and drought antagonistically affected wheat seed germination and seedling growth.

Keywords:

• Atmospheric nitrogen deposition
• drought stress
• leaf area
• osmotic pressure
• polyethylene glycol-6000
• water deficit

Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to the anonymous reviewers for the insightful and constructive comments that greatly improved this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Young Science and Technology Talent Support Project, Zhenjiang Association of Science and Technology, Jiangsu, China (Grant No.: NO).