Waterlogging is a major abiotic stress affecting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity worldwide, yet the dynamics of micronutrient accumulation and redistribution under this stress remain poorly understood. This study evaluated Fe, Mn, and Al concentrations in green and senescent leaves of 23 bread wheat genotypes exposed to 14 days of waterlogging at the tillering stage. Responses to waterlogging were compared across Portuguese landraces, Italian-derived varieties, CIMMYT-derived lines, advanced Portuguese breeding lines, and Australian varieties, allowing a broad comparison of genetic pools. Leaf samples were collected at the end of the stress period and at 7 and 14 days after stress release, under well-drained conditions. Micronutrient concentrations were measured in dried tissues using X-ray fluorescence (XRF).

Results highlighted both leaf stage– and genotype-dependent responses. In green leaves, Fe concentrations showed minor changes, whereas senescent leaves exhibited consistent Fe increases across genotypes, both under stress and throughout the recovery phase. Waterlogging further promoted transient accumulation of Mn and Al in green leaves, whereas more pronounced and frequent accumulations were observed in senescent leaves. Taken together, these findings indicate that waterlogging triggers micronutrient remobilization and accumulation that are age-dependent. Such differential partitioning between green and senescent leaves may influence the timing of leaf senescence and the capacity of wheat plants to recover following stress release, offering new insights into genotype-specific resilience mechanisms.