Research Article

Yield Performance of Wheat under Split N Application Rates and Timing

Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Akmal*

Department of Agronomy, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Received | February 14, 2017; Accepted | June 06, 2017; Published | July 29, 2017

*Correspondence | Mohammad Akmal, Department of Agronomy, The University of Agriculture Peshawar; Email: [email protected]

Citation | Shahzad, k. and M. Akmal. 2017. Yield performance of wheat under split n application rates and timing. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, 33(3): 350-356.

DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.sja/2017/33.3.350.356

Keywords | N application rates, N application timing, Wheat crop, Grain yield

Introduction

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major contributing source of food and feed for living organisms in Pakistan and is grown as staple food crop in the cropping system (Naz and Akmal, 2016). Wheat crop ranks first among cereals grown on annual food crop area. It is annually cultivated on a significant area (9.21 m ha) which produced 25.1 m tgrains for human food. However, the average yield is low it is due to improper management specially use of optimum fertilizers i.e. N and its application timings (Kato and Osawa, 2013).Soils of Pakistan is low in N andcost of N fertilizers are high. Therefore, application of N-fertilizer needs more attention for maximum use efficiency and higher production (Nakano and Morita, 2009). Nitrogen leads to leaching, de-nitrification and volatilization (Naz and Akmal, 2016). In modern agricultural practices, N fertilization is important for optimum cereals crops productivity. It is consumed only up to 50% of the soil applied (Naz, 2016). Residual N-fertilizer is vanished from soils by de-nitrification, volatilization and leaching (Gioacchini et al., 2002). To enhance wheat yield with grains quality, it is important to manage N application for expected seasonal climate changes (Garrido-Lestache et al., 2005). To apply N with two third N application late as split has shown better performance than two splits applications (Randall and Mulla, 2001), which also save production cost with improved grain quantity (Randall and Mulla, 2001).

Nitrogen application is important for wheat with speedy plant growth and improved quality. The N-fertilizer plays a significant role in fertility of soils (Habtegebrial et al., 2007) and it also increases biomass with better grain yield (Ogola et al., 2002). Researches indicated that grain yield increased with proper N management (Gorjanovic and Balalic, 2008). Likewise, in another literature Asif et al. (2012) has confirmed that increases N fertilizer has increased tiller number per plant, grains yield and harvest index. Cho et al. (2001) reported significant increase in height of the crop canopy, leaf length and width, stem diameter as well as dry matter with higher N-rates. Increase in protein has also been reported with optimum N application to wheat crop (Iqtidar et al., 2006).

Table 1: Soil properties where experiment was conducted after maize harvesting.

For successful production, appropriate quantity of N-fertilizer application and its application timing sarea key because N is lost through leaching and volatilization whenN is not fully utilized by crops (Hofman and Van Cleemput, 2004). This also increased production cost of the crops where N-fertilizers are relatively un-affordable e.g. in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. This research is therefore, focused on yield evaluation of wheat under split N applications with increasing rates under changed climate of Peshawar where wheat after maize is mainly grown in the cropping system.

Materials and Methods

Site, design and treatments

Field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan. Wheat was planted in crop growth season 2015-16 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated four times. Each experimental unit of the study was 4x2m accommodating eight rows at uniform distances. Seedbed was prepared as recommended on November 21, 2015. Variety Pakhtunkhwa-2015 was planted with drill in 0.25 cm spacing with a seed rate 130 kg ha-1. Phosphorus and potassium were applied at seedbed preparation from single super phosphate (P = 18%) and write complete Muriate of Potash (MOP, K = 50%) sources 90 and 60 kg ha-1, respectively. Nitrogen was applied from urea (N = 46%) in splits NAT1 (100% at seedbed preparation), NAT2 (50% at sowingand 50% AT 70 days after sowing), NAT3 (25% at sowing, 50% at 70 DAS and 25% at 110 DAS), NAT4 (25% at sowing, 25% at 70 DAS and 50% at 110 DAS) with different rates NAR1 = 0 kg ha-1 (Control), NAR2 = 100 kg ha-1, NAR3 = 120 kg ha-1, NAR4 = 140 kg ha-1 and NAR5 = 160 kg ha-1. Field was irrigated as per crop water requirements. All other agronomic practices like weeding, hoeing and irrigation etc. were constant.

Measurements and observations

Data regarding days to emergence were recorded by counting the days taken from date of sowing to the date when emergence was completed in a plot. The observation was recorded visually by counting seedling emerged when no more number increased in a sampled row. Data on days to emergence was recorded by counting numbers days taken to emerge seedlings in three central rows. Days to anthesis were also recorded by counting days from sowing to anthesis completed in a 0.5 m row sampled by visual observation. Days to maturity were calculated by counting number of days taken from sowing to that date when peduncle of almost all plants in central rows turned yellow in color and grains were almost partially hard. Plant height was recorded on ten randomly selected tillers in an experimental unit at physiological maturity. Spike length (cm) was measured through measuring tape for 10 randomly selected spikes collected from field and averaged for a single reading. The spike weight

Table 2: Wheat crop influenced by N-fertilizer rates and timings during the growth for plant phenology.

The collected data were statistically examined using ANOVA techniques recommended for the randomized complete block design (RCBD). Upon significant F-test, means were compared using LSD test (Steel and Torrie, 1980).

Results and Discussion

Data about days to emergence (d) are shown in Table 2. Statistical analysis of data showed a non-significant (p≤0.05) effect of treatments N application rates (NAR) and N application timings (NAT) as well as their interaction. However, days to anthesis were significant by NAR and NAT. Means across NAT, data revealed tha tincreasing NAR has delayed anthesis of wheat. The maximum days to anthesis were taken when NAR was applied 160 kg ha-1, which was statistically non-significant with NAR 140 and 120 kg ha-1. The minimum days to anthesis were reported for NAR 100 kg ha-1, which was non-significant to NAR 120 kg ha-1, but was significant to NAR 140 and 160 kg ha-1. While averaged across NAR, days to anthesis was the maximum at NAT2 i.e. two splits 50% at sowing and 50% at tillering, which was statistically same for NAT3 and NAT4 i.e. 25% sowing + 50% tillering and 25% anthesis or 25% sowing + 25% tillering and 50% anthesis, respectively. The minimum days to anthesis were observed at NAT1 i.e. single application. Data on days to maturity were significantly influenced by NAR and NAT but did not differ (p≤0.05) for treatment interactions. Mean across NAT, maturity was delayed for NAR 160 kg ha-1, which was statistically non-significant to N 140 kg ha-1 and found significant with NAR 120 and 100 kg ha-1. Both NAR 120 and 100 kg ha-1 did not differ (p≤0.05). Means across NAR, data revealed maximum days to maturity at NAT4,which was not varied from NAT3 (i.e. (25% sowing + 50% tillering and 25% anthesis) and NAT2 (i.e. 50% sowing and 50% tillering).However, NAT3 i.e. 25% sowing + 50% tillering.TreatmentNAT1 i.e. single application also did not differ for days to maturity. Data for plant height (cm) were significantly affected by NAR and NAT. While averaged across NAT, taller plants were observed for NAR 140 kg ha-1, followed by NAR 160 kg ha-1 and shorter at NAR 100 kg ha-1. Both, NAR 100 and 120 did not differ (p≤0.05). Means across NAR, showed that NAT2 i.e. two splits (i.e. 50% at sowing and 50% at tillering) produced taller plants with non-significant differences formNAT3 (i.e. 25% at sowing, 50% at tillering and 25% at anthesis) and NAT4 (i.e. 25% at

Table 3: Wheat crop influenced by N-fertilizer rates and timings during the growth for coefficient and production.

Nitrogen as basic nutrients improves plant vegetative growth. Its optimum level of availability in the soil in relation to crop growth and development stage improves its use efficiency. Existing application rate of N and particularly the timings are compatible with the changes observed in the climate of the area for wheat crop production. Single or two splits application at early growth and development stage of the crop might unable to express their effect on days to emergence. However, crop anthesis and maturity are relatively important crop coefficients, that have to be influenced with the NAR as well as NAT. we observed there sponses of the applied treatments at both anthesis and maturity stages of the crop (Hadi et al., 2012). Anthesis of the crop delayed with NAR and NAT (Gungula et al., 2008). As NAR increased,a delay observed in crop anthesis and maturity. Split applications i.e. three over two were relatively found better for crop and soil (Khaliq et al., 2008). Canoptheight is also a phonological character of plants and has shown better responses with higher N under splits applications (Takayama et al., 2004). Optimum N undoubtedly is good for the crop growth andbetter performance. However, its timing of applications in as many splits as the crop needed is important. Its effect can better expressed on relatively taller plants having wider leaves. Taller plants look healthy with maximum leaf number and area, which better support grains at reproductive stage resulting long spikes and healthy grains. Anatoliy et al. (2007) has investigated that adding N to the wheat crop enhanced soil N status, which helps plant with higher tillers and healthy structure (Musaddique et al., 2000). Research findings of Melajet al. (2003) and Mandalet al. (2005) favors the maximum splits N application over the limited or sole applications. Splits application reduces N-losses and helps plant better than limited or sole applications.

Data about spike length (cm) are shown in Table 3. Spike length has significantly affected by the NAR and the NAT. Means across NAT, data revealed longer spikes with NAR 140 kg ha-1, which was statistically significant from NAR 120 kg ha-1 but varied statistically from NAR 160 kg N ha-1. Shorter spikes were reported for treatment NAR 100 kg ha-1. Means across NAR, indicated that treatment NAT2 i.e. (50% sowing + 50% tillering), NAT3 i.e. (25% sowing + 50% tillering and 25% tillering) and NAT4 i.e. (25% sowing + 25% tillering and 50% tillering) produced statistically significant spikes, but the lowest spike length was recorded for NAT1 i.e. single application. Similarly, data on spike weight (g) differed significantly for the NAR and NAT. The interaction of treatments (NAR x NAT) was also found non-significant. Mean value across NAT indicated that heavier spikes produced by NAR 140 kg ha-1, which was significant with rest of the given treatments. The NAR 120 and 100 kg ha-1 did not differing spike weight to each other. Means across

Nitrogen is basic nutrient for the plant vegetative growth and development. The rates of application in splits might have improved chances of maximum uptake by plants under condition,when rainfall was relatively higher at anthesis stage of the crop (Figure 1). The splits applications were more effective than sole or two equal splits in relatively early growth stages (Khaliq et al., 2008). Fertilized plots responded with better tillers (Li et al., 2001) that were also healthy and resulted with longer spikes having healthier grains. Nitrogen applied in three splits (25% at sowing + 25% at tillering and 50% at anthesis) was found superior under the changing climatic condition (Ling and Silberbush, 2002; Saddiquiet al., 2008) of today and are expected in the future in the area with increase rainfall duration and intensity at grians development stage of the crop (Hanif and Ali, 2014) that would increase chances of N-losses and decrease its use efficiency. Gambin et al. (2015) has concluded self-sufficiency is way to increase number of grains per tiller and its weight through better managed of inputs e.g. NAT under the local weather condition (Noureldin et al., 2013) i.e. preferably as much as split application as possible per soil and crop need for the maximum N-utilization and N-uptake by plants (Bodruzzamanet al., 2002). Yield is product of spike length and weight, both of that were observed healthy in plots fertilized with 140 kg N ha-1 in three splits combinations. Biomass is also an important constituent of the productivity in wheat in the area. It quantity equally contribute as fodder source in the area and is the prime growers objective growing wheat. Biomass has also shown better performance under splits NAR of 140 kg ha-1 which was considered the optimum based on soil type, climate and crops in the cropping system (Roy et al., 2004). For NAT, higher straw yield with better production per unit was observed under three splits. The most probable reason could be that N in soil for grain was optimum and hence plant older parts export limited N for developing parts (Staggenborg et al., 2003; Garrido-Lestache et al., 2004). Splits application, therefore, over the sole or traditionally two splits showed best results.

Conclusion

The study findings conclude that wheat planted in Peshawar and/or adjacent areas having similar climatic conditions under the recent climate changes shall be growth with optimum N-application rates i.e. 140 kg N ha-1 preferably with three splits application (i.e. 25% at sowing followed by 50% at stem elongation with 25% at anthesis) to harvest better wheat grain and straw yield. The future prediction of increasing rainfall intensity and duration in the region may increase N-losses from the soil at anthesis. This may lead to deficient N at the time of grain development and hence may result poor grains quality.

Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the HEC as project grant No 20-5178 under the National Research Program for the Universities (NRPU) enabling grant to work on wheat production for quality seed under changing climate in the area.

Authors Contribution

Mr. Shahzad worked on project data collection, tabulation and compilation with draft preparation of the manuscript and Dr. Akmal supervised the project as well as made correction in the manuscript.

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