The effect of different sowing dates on dry matter and nitrogen dynamics for winter wheat: an experimental simulation study

Background Timely sowing is an important agronomic measure to ensure the normal germination, stable seedling establishment, and yield formation for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Delayed sowing frequently occurs in the current multi-cropping system and mechanized production of this crop. However, the ways in which different sowing dates affect yield and its potential mechanism is still unknown in the middle-lower Yangtze River Basin. We sought to provide a theoretical basis for these mechanisms to improve regional wheat production. Methods We investigated the wheat’s yield differences in a two-year field study under different sowing dates and took into account related growth characteristics including meteorological conditions, growth period, tillers, dry matter accumulation (DMA), and nitrogen accumulation (NA). We used the logistic curve model to simulate DMA and NA dynamics of single stem wheat under different sowing dates. We then analyzed and compared wheat accumulation for different sowing dates. Results Our results showed that grain yield declined by 0.97 ± 0.22% with each one-day change (either early or delayed) in sowing beyond the normal sowing date. The yield loss could be explained by the inhibition of crop growth, yield components, biomass and nitrogen (N) production. The negative effects of delayed sowing were caused by environmental limitations including adverse weather factors such as low temperature during vegetative growth, shortened duration of various phases of crop development, and increased temperature during the grain-filling period. The grain yield gap decreased between the late and normal sowing periods owing to a compensatory effect between the highest average rates (Vt) and the rapid accumulation period (T) of DMA and NA for single stem wheat. The grain yield was maintained at 6,000 kg ha−1 or more when the ratio of DMA at the mature-to-jointing stage (MD/JD) and the ratio of NA at the mature-to-jointing stage (MN/JN) was 4.06 (P < 0.01) and 2.49 (P < 0.05), respectively. The compensatory effect did not prevent the impact caused by delayed sowing, which caused biomass and N production to decrease. Physiological development reached a maximal accumulation rate (Tm) of NA earlier than DMA