Site-specific, genotypic and temporal variation in photosynthesis and its related biochemistry in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Photosynthesis in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pericarps may contribute appreciably to wheat grain yield. Consequently, we investigated the temporal variation of traits related to photosynthesis and sucrose metabolism in the pericarps and flag leaves of three wheat genotypes, Huandoy, Amurskaja 75 and Greece 25, which are reported to differ in expression of genes related to the C4 pathway in wheat grain. Significant site-specific, genotypic and temporal variation in the maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax) and maximum rates of electron transport (Jmax) (biological capacity of carbon assimilation) were observed early in ontogeny that dissipated by late grain filling. Although the transcript abundance of rbcS and rbcL in flag leaves was significantly higher than in the pericarps, in line with their photosynthetic prominence, both organ types displayed similar expression patterns among growth stages. The higher N concentrations in the pericarps during grain enlargement suggest increased Rubisco; however, expression of rbcS and rbcL indicated the contrary. From heading to 14 days post-anthesis, wheat pericarps exhibited a strong, positive correlation between biological capacity for carbon assimilation and expression of key genes related to sucrose metabolism (SPS1, SUS1 and SPP1). The strong correlation between spike dry weight and the biological capacity for carbon assimilation along with other findings of this study suggest that metabolic processes in wheat spikes may play a major role in grain filling, total yield and quality.