The combined effect of constant water deficit and nitrogen supply on WUE, NUE and Δ¹³C in durum wheat potted plants

Abstract Water scarcity and nitrogen shortage are the main constraints on durum wheat productivity. This paper examines the combined effects of a constant water deficit and nitrogen supply (NS) on growth, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance ( g s ) and transpiration, instantaneous and time‐integrated water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ 13 C) in durum wheat genotypes grown in pots under greenhouse conditions. Three water levels (40%, 70% and 100% container capacity), two nitrogen doses (high and low N) and four genotypes were assayed in a total of 24 experimental treatments. Water and nitrogen treatments were imposed 2 weeks after plant emergence. The growth, nitrogen content and Δ 13 C of the shoot and…