Effects of Post-Anthesis Irrigation on the Activity of Starch Synthesis-Related Enzymes and Wheat Grain Quality under Different Nitrogen Conditions

Abstract

To develop optimal management strategies for water and nitrogen fertilizer application in winter wheat cultivation, we conducted a potted experiment to investigate the effects of different irrigation levels and nitrogen fertilizer treatments on the activity of starch synthesis-related enzymes and the grain quality of winter wheat. The potted experiment consisted of three irrigation levels, with the lower limits set at 50–55% (I0), 60–65% (I1), and 70–75% (I2) of the field capacity. In addition, four levels of nitrogen fertilizer were applied, denoted as N0 (0 kg N hm−2), N1 (120 kg N hm−2), N2 (240 kg N hm−2), and N3 (300 kg N hm−2), respectively. The results revealed the significant impacts of irrigation and nitrogen treatments on the activities of key starch-related enzymes, including adenosine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphrylase (ADPG-PPase), soluble starch synthase (SSS), granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS), and starch branching enzymes (SBE) in wheat grains. These treatments also influenced the starch content, amylopectin content, and, ultimately, wheat yield. In summary, our findings suggest that maintaining irrigation at a lower limit of 60% to 65% of the field capacity and applying nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of 240 kg hm−2 is beneficial for achieving both high yield and high quality in winter wheat cultivation.