Molybdenum-Induced Effects on Grain Yield, Macro–micro-nutrient Uptake, and Allocation in Mo-Inefficient Winter Wheat

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential element for the growth and development of higher plants. Its deficiency leads to a decrease in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) growth and reduces nutritional quality of grain. However, little is known about macro- and micro-nutrient contents or their allocation within organs of wheat under Mo sufficient and deficient conditions. The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of how Mo application affects mineral nutrient uptake and allocations among various organs of wheat. A pot experiment was conducted to explore these effects in wheat with Mo-deficiency (–Mo) and Mo supply (+ Mo) treatment. The results revealed that Mo application increased plant dry biomass, grain yield, allocations of macro-nutrients (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)), and micro-nutrients (copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and molybdenum (Mo)) among different wheat organs except for Fe. Nutrient allocation to plant tissues also varied between different organs. A high allocation of N, P, and Zn was observed in grain, K and Cu higher allocation was found in the stem, while flag leaf and glumes accumulated higher content of Mn and Mo, under Mo application as compared with Mo deficiency treatment. Mo application increased the uptake of N, P, K, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Mo in wheat organs compared to –Mo treatment. The relative increase of N, P, K, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Mo uptake in the wheat grains was 58.5%, 13.0%, 29.7%, 20.2%, 31.5%, 12.7%, 52.8% and 621%, while in the flag leaf was 199.1%, 198.5%, 203.4%, 713.7%, 281.0%, 179.1%, 128.6% and 431.5%, respectively. The research findings suggest the supportive role of Mo application in increasing macro- and micro-nutrient uptake among wheat organs and grain yield through improving macro–micro-nutrient allocations.