Impacts of wheat photosynthate allocation on soil N 2 O emission during post-anthesis period

Both spikelet removal and low temperature stress largely reduced photosynthate allocation to wheat grain; the former stimulated the average N 2 O emissions by 31.3% and 33.2% under the field and pot conditions; the latter increased average N 2 O emission by 19.9% under pot condition. Spikelet removal and low temperature stress significantly reduced total plant N uptake, thereby increasing soil NO 3 – -N content, and increased root biomass. Our findings indicated that photosynthate allocation affects the soil N 2 O emissions from wheat fields through altering plant N uptake and root growth, and suggest that promoting photosynthate allocation to grain may not only benefit higher wheat yield but also mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.