Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of deep plowing (DP) and subsoiling (SS) in fallow period combined with film
mulch sowing in drill (FM-DS) in growth period on dryland wheat. A field study was conducted at Wenxi experimental site
of Shanxi Agricultural University. Soil water storage, grain protein content, and the activity of key enzymes in nitrogen
metabolism in flag leaves were determined. Compared with no-tillage (CK), DP and SS significantly increased water storage
(P<0.05). Similar result was observed by FM-DS when compared with drill sowing (DS) (P<0.05). DP combined with FMDS worked the best. Generally, the contents of albumin, gliadin and glutenin in spikelets were also significantly increased in
DP and SS, especially in DP, when compared with CK (P<0.05). In addition, the glutamine synthetase (GS) activity was
enhanced while the glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity was reduced in DP and SS (P<0.05), and DP worked better
than SS. The contents of gliadin, glutenin, and total protein in all spikelets as well as glutenin/gliadin (glu/gli) in central
spikelets and basal spikelets were higher in FM-DS than in DS (P<0.05). In conclusion, DP combined with FM-DS was the
best strategy for water storage and the yield and quality of dryland wheat.
