Effects of rewatering during the filling stage after previous water stress on the root and shoot growth and their relations

The effect of rewatering during the filling stage on the growth were studied using hte wheat cultivar Beinong 6 as materials. The results indicated that the plant height, leaf area, biomass and grain yield of wheat rewatered during the filling stage after previous water stress exceeded those of the drought controls, showing that there was a compensatory growth in the rewatered plants. Meanwhile, the proportion of dry matter distributed to the shoot increased and the R/S decreased in the rewatered treatments compared with the controls. The treatment of rewatering after moderate water stress could save a great deal of water in the case of little reduction in grain yield. Thus, rewatering during the filling stage had a remarkable effect on promoting growth and reducing water consumption of wheat.