Nitrogen fertilization and sowing density on yield and physiological quality of wheat seeds

Abstract

The optimal combination between sowing density and nitrogen (N) fertilization rate is a challenge for the production of high-quality seeds, considering the diversity of genotypes and environments. This study aimed to evaluate the yield and physiological quality of wheat seeds as a function of sowing density and N rate, under different edaphoclimatic conditions. The experiment was carried out in three environments (Londrina, Cascavel, and Ponta Grossa) in a randomized block design with four replications, considering a 2 × 3 × 4 factorial arrangement composed of two genotypes (BRS Anambé and WT 15-025), three sowing densities (250, 350, and 450 seeds.m−2), and four N rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg.ha−1). The following seed features were evaluated: yield, first germination count, final seed germination, seedling emergence, emergence speed index, seedling length, and seedling dry matter. Seed yield varied as a function of environment and genotype. BRS Anambé produced seeds with higher physiological quality. The optimal combination between sowing density and N rate that provided the more suitable economic yield, without affecting the physiological quality of wheat seeds, varied with the environment and was estimated in 250 seeds.m−2 × 0 kg.ha−1 N for Londrina and Cascavel, and 350 seeds.m−2 × 18 kg.ha−1 N for Ponta Grossa.

The Effects of Different Sowing Density and Nitrogen Topdressing on Wheat Were Investigated under the Cultivation Mode of Hole Sowing

“…It was found that the hole sowing treatment increased the flag leaf area of wheat, the nitrogen application increased the dry matter quality of the above-ground part of the hole sowing treatment, and the actual yield of the hole sowing treatment was the highest. However, most of the field experiments on wheat sowing density and nitrogen topdressing in the past were carried out by drilling technology and the influence of the hole sowing cultivation method was not explored [34][35][36][37]. Under the conditions of this experiment, the density had a very significant effect on the number of effective spikes and yield.…”