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Abstract

Low nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) of agricultural crops frequently necessitates excessive application of fertilizers, increasing both economic costs and environmental damage. Enhancing NUE in major food crops, particularly wheat, is therefore a central objective for sustainable farming systems. This study investigated the contribution of the transcription factor TaNAC2-5A to improve nitrate acquisition and root system development in wheat (Triticum aestivum). TaNAC2-5A is part of the NAC family and regulates plant growth and responses to stress, particularly limited nitrate availability. We assessed T4 TaNAC2-5A overexpressing wheat lines developed in local cultivar FSD 2008 in two light conditions, low spectrum and full spectrum, and under two low nitrate levels, 0.2 and 1.0 mM in hydroponic systems. Molecular confirmation of the transgene integration in T4 generation plants was done by PCR. Nitrate content was measured using the Cataldo colorimetric assay. The chlorophyll and leaf nitrogen was measured with the help of portable SPAD meter. Root architecture was studied using rhizo-scanning, and root parameters including surface area, root length, volume, and diameter were determined by WinRhizo image analysis system. Total nitrogen and chlorophyll measurements were analyzed using One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test while Two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD was used to test the effects of nitrate and light. Transgenic wheat plants showed higher levels of chlorophyll content (100 to 300 % increase), total nitrogen content (45 % increase), leaf nitrate (30 to 70 % increase), and 1000 grain weight (up to 17%). Overall, overexpression of TaNAC2-5A improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and root development of wheat by allowing plants to absorb and process nitrogen more efficiently which ultimately offered a practical approach for breeding programs targeting sustainable production and global food security.

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