In order to explore the growth potential of wheat seedlings and their ability to adapt to nutrient stress, the treatments were set up for normal growth plants and seeds with nutrient deficiency, i.e. removing only endosperm, removing only root, removing both endosperm and root, with normal growth plants as control. The changes of leaf age, growth rate, plant height, root, chlorophyll content (SPAD), leaf area, dry matter accumulation and physiological characteristics of wheat at seedling stage were investigated. The results showed that wheat seedlings with 36 h of germination had independent survival ability under nutrient deficiency treatments. Compared with wheat seedlings without endosperm removed (normal growth plants and removing only root), wheat seedling with endosperm removed (removing only endosperm and removing both endosperm and root) developed slowly, took more time to reach the same growth stage as normal wheat, and the growth rate, plant height, root length, SPAD, total leaf area, and dry weight decreased significantly when two leaves unfolded. The contents of soluble protein, proline, and malondialdehyde content maintained at a low level. Compared with normal growth plants, wheat seedlings with only root removed were able to adapt to the nutrient stress quickly. The growth rate, plant height, root length, and dry weight were basically the same as that of normal growth plants; the contents of soluble protein and proline were significantly increased, and the content of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased when two leaves unfolded. It was found that the lack of nutrients in wheat seeds at seedling stage led to growth retardation and weak adaptability of wheat seedlings, which affected the growth and development of wheat at later stages. |