Nitrogen use efficiency, yield and yield traits of wheat response to slow-releasing N fertilizer under balanced fertilization in Vertisols and Cambisols of Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was initiated to investigate the effects of slow nitrogenreleasing fertilizer (UREA Stabil ) on yield, yield components and nitrogen use efficiency indices of bread wheat at Emba Alaje and Hawzien Districts in Tigray, Ethiopia in 2015 at six farmers' field and arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were four levels of nitrogen (0, 32, 64 and 96) kg ha −1 . The nitrogen source was UREA Stabil , which is slow N-releasing fertilizer. Conventional urea at the recommended rate (64 kg N ha −1 ) was included as a positive control at both sites. A full dose of UREA Stabil were applied at planting while prilled urea (conventional urea) was applied in two splits 1/3 at planting and 2/3 at tillering. Application of UREA Stabil significantly influenced yield and yield components at both soil types. The highest grain yield was obtained on plots treated with 64 kg N ha −1 in the form of UREA Stabil and prilled urea (conventional urea) in Hawzien and Emba Alaje districts, respectively. The highest nitrogen uptake was recorded on plots treated with 64 kg N ha −1 in the form of UREA Stabil and prilled urea (conventional urea) in Hawzien and Emba Alaje, respectively. Nitrogen uptake, agronomic, physiological and apparent recovery efficiency were significantly influenced by the application of slow-releasing and conventional nitrogen fertilizers at both sites. In Hawzien, the application of slow-releasing N fertilizer in the form of UREA Stabil reduces the amount of N used and application time. Hence, it could be concluded application of slow-releasing fertilizer could be used as an alternative source of nitrogen for wheat production in the study site.

Soil type and fertilizer rate affect wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield, quality and nutrient use efficiency in Ayiba, northern Ethiopia

“…More importantly, research findings indicated that the deposition of protein in grains depends on the plethora of interconnected metabolic pathways involved in the uptake of N, S, Zn, and other elements with synergistic effects from the soil, their transport to source tissues such as leaves and mobilization and remobilization to developing grains ( Chandel et al, 2010 ; Grusak, 2002 ). The present study results were similar to many other reports, which explained that the GPC of wheat increased with increasing N fertilizer rates ( Bereket et al, 2014 ; Dargie, Wogi & Kidanu, 2020 ; Fisseha et al, 2020 ). Similarly, Abera, Tana & Dessalegn (2020) reported the highest GPC from the highest NPSB blended fertilizer application.…”

Nitrogen Deficiency Tolerance and Responsiveness of Durum Wheat Genotypes in Ethiopia

“…Tis, might be due to the variations in the test genotypes and environmental conditions. In contrast to our fndings, [59] observed positive and signifcant correlations of GY with PH, SL, NFT, and NSPS in wheat grown under slow-releasing N fertilizer, which could also be attributed to genotypic variations. Tey also found positive and signifcant correlations between GY and BY, which agrees with our fndings.…”

Cause and cost of onsite nutrient loss replacement in the highlands of Ethiopia and implication of Soil and Water Conservation measures

“…Nitrogen is easily disappeared through volatilization and leaching from the soil surface due to its very mobile nature. For example, in modern agriculture nitrate is the main source of nitrogen for crops; yet, nitrate is also the most mobile form of N and easily loses from the soil through leaching [80]. And also the conventional furrow irrigated agriculture without management of excess water causes leaching of nitrate-nitrogen and other macronutrients [81].…”

“…The loss of nutrients not only troubles the farmer on crop reduction, but it has also hazardous impacts on the environment [34]. As a result, an optimum nitrogen fertilizer application rates for the various growth stages of crops is important to minimize the losses of N and nitrogen use effi ciency (NUE) via leaching and volatilization [80]. Nitrogen use effi ciency expressed as grain production per unit of N applied [82].…”