Dynamics of nitrogen responses to wheat under moisture stress

Moisture stress and high temperature characterizing markedly forced maturity and altered the agronomic and physiological responses of the wheat crop. Nitrogen fertilizer rate exhibited notable effects on the yield, crop nitrogen and flour quality parameters relative to the other factors. The differences between the test varieties for yield and quality parameters were relatively small implying the predominance of the environment in determining the associated variances in contrast to the genetic factors. In general it is possible to deduce N fertilizer rate exhibited greater effects than variety or timing of N application; N rate negatively affected the grain yield, but markedly enhanced the flour quality parameters. Such a yield penalty due to increasing N fertilizer rate must be compensated by improved soil and crop management practices.

Genene Gezu (MSc): Program Officer of Ethio-Organic Seed Action (EOSA), Ethiopia