Physiological Growth Indices of Durum Wheat (<i>Triticum turgidum</i> L. Var. durum) as Affected by Rates of Blended and Nitrogen Fertilizers

Abstract

In order to investigation the effects of blended NPSB and N fertilizer rates on physiological and growth indices in durum wheat, a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement and replicated 3 times per treatment was conducted in research field of Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center in 2017 and 2018 under rain-fed condition. The treatments consisted of 4 levels of blended (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg NPSB ha-1) and N (0, 46, 69 and 92 kg N ha-1) fertilizers. The results revealed that leaf area index (LAI) at 64 days after sowing (DAS), crop growth rate (CGR) at 34-64 and 64-94 DAS, relative growth rate (RGR) at 34-64 DAS were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the interaction effects of blended NPSB and N fertilizers. Chlorophyll content (CHL), plant height (PH), days to heading (DH), and days to physiological maturity (DPM) were significantly influenced only by N levels. The highest LAI (4.50), CGR (4.37 g m-2°C days-1) at 34-64 DAS and (14.81g m-2°C days-1) at 64-94 DAS and RGR (0.0077 g g-1°C days-1) at 34-64 DAS were observed at combined application of 150 kg blended NPSB with 92 kg N ha-1. The highest PH (89.4 cm), CHL (40.09), DH (60.92 days) and DPM (116.75 days) were noted in 92 kg N ha. On overall performance application of 150 kg NPSB with 92 kg N/ha levels showed better results on the growth and physiological traits of durum wheat as compared to other blended and N levels.

Growth Response of Wheat as Affected by Different Nutrient Sources and NPK Levels under Vertisols

“…Growth is a vital function of plants and is an indication of a gradual increase in number and size of cells [13]. Growth analysis such as crop growth rate, relative growth rate and leaf area index are the most important traits in prediction of yield [14]. Growth analysis is a suitable method for plant response to different environmental conditions during plant life also observed significant positive interaction between fertilizer treatments and physiological stages of wheat growth [15,16].…”