Compensation Mechanisms for Early Maturity and High Yield in Tartary Buckwheat (<i>Fagopyrum tataricum</i>): A Study on ‘Source–Sink’ Relationship and Phosphorus Utilization
The regulatory mechanisms underlying the ‘source–sink’ relationship in Tartary buckwheat remain largely unexplored. This study selected an early-maturing, high-yield variety, ‘Zhukuzao1’ (ZKZ1), to delve into the ‘source–sink’ relationship and the regulatory mechanisms of phosphorus utilization. Com...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Agronomy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/1/173 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | The regulatory mechanisms underlying the ‘source–sink’ relationship in Tartary buckwheat remain largely unexplored. This study selected an early-maturing, high-yield variety, ‘Zhukuzao1’ (ZKZ1), to delve into the ‘source–sink’ relationship and the regulatory mechanisms of phosphorus utilization. Compared with Jinqiao2 (JQ2), ZKZ1 matured approximately 10 days earlier, with significantly reduced chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and down-regulated <i>PSI-III</i> and <i>GBSSI</i>, indicating a reduced ‘source’. However, ZKZ1 maintained soluble sugar levels in upper leaves and increased sugar transport to seeds, promoting plant growth and yield formation. Under varying phosphorus conditions, ZKZ1 exhibited significantly higher total phosphorus content in lower (3.9~4.5-fold) and upper (1.4~1.6-fold) leaves of seedlings, along with increased phosphorus transport to upper leaves and seeds, and up-regulated <i>PHO1</i> (2.4~3.0-fold), <i>SPX3</i> (1.8~2.8-fold), <i>PAP2</i> (2.8~7.7-fold), and <i>5PTase2</i> (1.4~3.5-fold) in leaves, indicating improved phosphorus absorption, transport, and remobilization. At maturity, ZKZ1 achieved yields comparable to JQ2, with superior quality traits, including significantly increased contents of protein (glutenin, prolamin, and globulin) and flavonoids under normal phosphorus conditions. Notably, the efficient phosphorus-regulated sugar metabolism in ZKZ1 maintains yield via enhanced ‘flow’ despite photosynthesis decrease. This study highlights the potential of optimizing the ‘source–sink’ relationship and phosphorus utilization in early-maturing, high-yield Tartary buckwheat breeding. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2073-4395 |