Resistance identification and nitrogen management of wheat under late spring coldness

Abstract Late spring coldness has a profound impact on yield and quality of wheat ( Triticum aestivum ), the reasonable fertilization management significantly improved yield, quality, and cold resistance of plants. Here, 10 predominant wheat varieties cultivated in the Huang‐Huai‐Hai region were selected to investigate the detrimental influence mechanism of late spring coldness on wheat growth and screen three varieties with a strong resistance to coldness. Additionally, under late spring coldness, the three varieties were applied with varying ratios of base to topdressing nitrogen fertilizer to investigate the consequences on the establishment of population structure and subsequent formation of yield and quality. The results showed that late spring coldness exerted severely detrimental effect on wheat organs development, including the increased occurrence of dead tillers, elevated mortality of young spikes, and significant decrease kernels. However, compared to N1 treatment (a nitrogen fertilizer distribution of 100% base+0% jointing+0% booting), the N2 treatment (50% base+50% jointing+0% booting) exhibited favorable outcomes under late spring coldness, such as the decreased basic seedlings and tillers, increased flag leaf area, and leaf area index, contributing to the higher spike number, grain number, and 1000‐kernel weight. Ultimately, the grain yields of Jinan 17, Huaimai 28, and Yan'nong 5158 reached their maximum values, with a 23.5%, 10.6%, and 24.2% increase, respectively, and the membership function analysis confirmed the most favorable effect of N2 treatment. These findings underscore the appropriately increased ration of topdressing nitrogen fertilizer during late spring coldness as a prerequisite for achieving both high yield and good quality of wheat.