Compensation in growth and photosynthesis of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) following early inoculations with Septoria nodorum (Berk.) Berk.

Abstract

Inoculations of winter wheat with Septoria nodorum (Berk.) Berk, at either the three or six Leaf stage in the glasshouse identified possible mechanisms of changes in the growth of winter wheat to compensate for the damaging effects of infection. Following inoculations at the three leaf Stage there was increased photosynthesis in healthy fourth leases on inoculated plants; no equivalent increase was shown for later inoculations. There was some indication that, after third leaf inoculation, photosynthesis was stimulated in healthy areas on infected leaves but depressed in infected areas. After inoculations at the third leaf stage, the shoot/root dry weight ratio increased compared with that of controls. No significant changes in dry matter production, at anthesis or during grain‐growth, followed inoculation at the six leaf stage. At anthesis there was an increase in the proportion of dry weight partitioned to stems, and tiller and leaf area of infected plants was greater than m the control plants. Copyright © 1989, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved