Response of dry matter partition and yield components to waterlogging and sunlight shortage in different growth stages of wheat

Waterlogging and sunlight shortage are important factors that significantly deteriorate the yield and quality of wheat. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of waterlogging and sunlight shortage on dry matter partition, yield and yield components in wheat. To quantify these effects, two wheat cultivars (i.e., Ningmai-13 and Yangmai-23) were selected, and three treatments of waterlogging (WG), sunlight shortage (SG) and waterlogging + sunlight shortage (WS) were set at jointing, booting and filling stages of wheat for different time durations (5, 10 and 15 days). The results showed that partition index of stem increased, while green leaf portioned index decreased significantly at jointing stage under WG treatment. At booting stage, WG treatment reduced green leaf and spike partition index. At the filling stage, the stem partition index was higher than CK, while spike partition index was lower than CK. Under the SG treatment, stem partition index was increased at jointing and filling stage, while decreased at booting stage. However, the influence of stresses increased as the treatment time duration extended at all stages. For yield, the WG treatment at jointing stage significantly decreased the yield by 37.4% and 28.5% for Ningmai-13 and Yangmai-23, respectively. At the booting and filling stage, WS treatment exhibited the most important influence. The yield of Ningmai-13 and Yangmai-23 decreased by 47.9% and 36.0% at booting stage, and 49.1% and 37.3% at filling stage, respectively. Overall, the yield declined was least at jointing stage, while significant at booting stage under different treatments. This study could provide synthesized novel insight for improving disasters effects on wheat and current wheat growth model.