Maximizing Wheat Yield Under N, K and B Fertilization

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, North Delta, Egypt during two successive growing seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012) to study the effect of nitrogen fertilization with and without K and B application on wheat yield in addition to evaluate quantitatively the response of wheat grain yield to fertilizer application using a polynomial quadratic equation. Five N levels (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg N fed-1) were applied as a main plots, with 2 levels of K (0 and 50 kg K2O fed-1) as sub-plot, and B solution at 0.1% concentration sprayed after 70 days from sowing as sub-sub plots. The cultivated wheat variety was Sakha 69. The main results could be summarized as follows: 1-Increasing N levels up to 90 kg fed-1 led to a significant increase in the grain yield. Also, the grain yield was increased with potassium application in average by 2.5 %. Foliar application of boron resulted in increasing the grain yield in average by 2.48%. 2-The estimated values of the maximum N rate (xmax) were 2.76, 2.83, 2.78 and 2.77 units of N fed-1. (one N unit = 30 kg) for the treatments of N only (A), N with B (B), N with K(C) and N with B and K(D), respectively. The estimated values of maximum wheat grain yield (Ymax) (17.051, 17.586, 17.788 and 18.140 ardab fed-1 for the four treatments, respectively) were increased by applying K and B fertilizers. 3-The economic optimum yield (Yopt) was obtained by applying the economic optimum rates (xopt). The values of xopt were 2.63, 2.70, 2.65 and 2.64 N units fed-1 for the four treatments, respectively. The values of Yopt were 17.03, 17.57, 17.76 and 18.13 ardab fed-1 for the previous mentioned treatments, respectively. The net returns of using N fertilizer were 2612.80, 2753.82, 2766.34 and 2865.10 LE fed-1 for the four treatments, respectively. Hence, it could be concluded that the maximum and optimum wheat grain yield (Ymax and Yopt) were increased by applying K and B fertilizers. 4-Relative efficiency of applied N fertilizer (EX) with different treatments could be arranged in the following descending order: D > C > B > A. The highest efficiency of soil N (exs) was obtained under treatment B. The highest value of soil N (xs) (1.486 unit fed-1) was obtained with A treatment. The contribution of applied N fertilizer increased with increasing N level and the highest value of applied N fertilizer contribution was obtained under D treatment. Also, the contribution of soil N decreased with increasing N application level up to 120 kg fed-1 (N4). The net return due to Boron spraying was 299.8 L.E fed-1. Generally it could be concluded that increasing N level up to 90 kg/fed led to a significant increase in wheat grain yield. The maximum, optimum wheat grain yield (Ymax and Yopt), N use efficiency and the net return were increased by applying K and B fertilizers. Also the contribution of soil N decreased with increasing N application level up to 120 kg fed-1 .

EFFECT OF SOIL MOISTURE DEPLETION AND NITROGEN LEVELS ON WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.).

“…It can be concluded that the increasing amount of nitrogen fertilizer, consequently get higher grain yield. These results are in conformity with El-Gizawy ( 2005); Mosaad et al, (2013) and Gazia and Abd EL Aziz (2013).…”

“…Soil fertility continues to decline because of combined effects of increasing pressure for land use for crop production, inadequate compensation of nutrients exported and lack of nutrients management. Gazia and Abd EL Aziz (2013) concluded that increasing N level up to 90 kg fed -1 led to a significant increase in wheat grain yield. Mosaad et al, (2013) showed that wheat grain and straw yields and N-uptake by grain and straw increased with use of mineral fertilizer rates up to 90 kg N fed -1 , but N utilization efficiency for wheat crop was decreased.…”

Impact of soil moisture-based irrigation, mulching, and nitrogen levels on wheat growth and yield in sub-tropical Jammu, India

“…It can be concluded that the increasing amount of nitrogen fertilizer consequently results in higher grain yield. These results are in conformity with El-Gizawy (2005) [6] ; Mosaad et al, (2013) [21] and Gazia and Abd EL Aziz (2013) [7] . Data pertaining to fig.…”