Effect of split application of different N rates on productivity and nitrogen use efficiency of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Background: Bread wheat is an important staple and cash crop grown by smallholder farmers in the central highlands of Ethiopia. However, the productivity of the crop is constrained by low soil fertility and poor nitrogen fertilizer management in the area. For example, there is limited information on optimum rates and timing of nitrogen fertilizer application in the area. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2014 and 2015) under rain-fed condition to determine the effect of N fertilizer rate and timing of application on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of bread wheat. Factorial combinations of three N levels and five application times plus one control were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Results: The optimum grain yield (6060.04 kg ha −1) was recorded when 240 kg N ha −1 was applied ¼ at sowing, ½ at tillering and ¼ at booting, and it showed no significant additional response to N fertilizer above this rate. Higher N level (360 kg N ha −1) always increased N content in the grain and nitrogen uptake by wheat crop. The best recovery of nitrogen (59.74%) by wheat was found when 120 kg of nitrogen was applied (¼ at sowing, ½ at tillering and ¼ at booting). The nitrogen use efficiency traits decreased with increased N rate (120-360 kg N ha −1) indicating poor N utilization. The split application of nitrogen (¼ at sowing, ½ at tillering and ¼ at booting) produced the highest nitrogen use efficiency traits. Conclusion: The application of 240 kg N ha −1 in three split doses (T 5) was required to obtain optimum wheat yield. In addition, increasing the rate of nitrogen beyond 120 kg N ha −1 decreased nitrogen use efficiency traits.

Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc)] grain yield response to nitrogen fertilizer rates in East Badewacho district, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…Increased grain yield due to increased N application was also reported for different cereal crops (Dubale, 2019). In line with the present finding, Fresew et al (2018) found that the highest grain yield was obtained in response to the application of 360 kg N ha −1 in three splits of ¼ at sowing, ½ at tillering, and ¼ at booting, which was in statistical parity with the grain yield obtained in response to the application of 240 kg N ha −1 ¼ at sowing, ½ at tillering and ¼ at booting. Generally, nitrogen fertilizer application has a significant effect on the chlorophyll concentration, leaf area index of plants, canopy interception, as well as other biophysical characteristics of plants.…”

Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Performance of Wheat Crop Through Application of Urea Stable and Conventional Urea in Vertisols of Ambo District

“…The crops use only 50-60% of applied N and less than half amount of N applied in most case [7,8]. Therefore, applying optimum rate at the right time from good nitrogen source can increase crop yield, reduce nitrogen lose and improve nitrogen use efficiency [9]. A number of studies were also done to find the optimum rate and time of nitrogen application to improve wheat yield, nutrient use efficiencies and to reduce environmental pollution [10].…”

“…Wheat grain yield and seed quality can be highly influenced by N fertilization and absence of nitrogen application [16]. Thus, the application of the appropriate rate of N fertilizer at the right time can significantly increase wheat grain yield and improve uptake efficiency as well as protein content of the crop [9,16]. However, information on effect of different source of nitrogen fertilizer on wheat production and nitrogen use efficiency in Vertisols of west Showa zone is limited.…”

Maximize Water Productivity Using Aquaculture Water for Sesame Crop Under Drip Irrigation Systems

“…A relationship was found between the nitrogen fertilizer dose and the yield of any crop, Noor (2017) mentioned that before making recommendations for the nitrogen fertilizer dose for any crop, one should evaluate the efficiency and optimum rate for different application levels for better growth and yield performance. Belete et al (2018) showed that the optimum grain yield (6060.04 kg/ha) was recorded when 240 kg N/ha was applied and it showed no significant additional response to N fertilizer above this rate. Higher N level (360 kg N/ha) always increased N content in the grain and nitrogen uptake by wheat crop.…”