Effect of Nitrogen on Yield and Quality of Wheat¹

Abstract

B EFORE a new variety of wheat can be recommended generally, it must possess not only desirable agronomic characteristics such as high-yielding ability, resistance to disease, etc., but also -certain quality factors of the grain and flour. Bayfield (I) has presented data which show that wheat strength and quality are influenced most by climate. Other factors are soil and variety. He concludes that the supply of nutrients available to the plant is probably the most important soil factor regulating the amount of protein. The soft red winter wheats grown in the Southeast are lower in protein than the hard wheats grown farther north. The low-protein flours are particularly suited for the making of biscuits and pastries while the high-protein flours are used for making of bread.The importance of nitrogen in the production of wheat has long been recognized. On soils low in nitrogen, yields of wheat, within certain limits, can be progressively increased with each increment of nitrogen. Results from numerous experiments in Tennessee show that, on the average, 31;2 to 4 pounds of nitrogen is required to produce each additional bushel of wheat. The results also show that applications of nitrogen made as topdressings in the spring are more effective than fall applications made at time of seeding. Splitapplications, where one-half of the nitrogen-was applied in the fall and one-half as a spring topdressing, resulted in the .highest yields (2).The objective of the experiment reported in this paper was to study the effects of rate and time of application of nitrogen on yield as well as quality of wheat.

Yield and Protein Content of Wheat in Central Mexico as Affected by Available Soil Moisture and Nitrogen Fertilization1

“…An increase in available soil nitrogen has generally been found associated with an increase in protein content of the wheat grain ( 5,8,10,20,21). The closer the time of the nitrogen application to the beginning of flowering, the greater the effect of a given amount of nitrogen in increasing the percentage of protein in the grain (10,20,21). Production of high protein wheat is generally associated with conditions where soil moisture is the principal yieldlimiting factor (2,13).…”

The Effect of Nitrogen Top Dressing on Yield and Protein Content of Nitrogen-Deficient Cereals

“…The original data show, however, that, for both yield and protein content, there ls considerable variability in the results ?rom trial io trial. In general it rvas found that where large increases in yield were obtained, Iittli or no effect was produced on the protein content, T"""4 l.-A"t.""" "tt 8 but where the yield was only. tllSttltt increased by the added nitrogen, the protein content was substanrially increased.…”

“…Lonq and Sherbakoff (8) (6), and Wiaao*t.j.t et al (11). Foliar application of iitrogen in the form of urea sprays has been_ shor'vn by Finney et al (4) to substantially increase the protein level in-wheat.…”

Effect of Nitrogen on Growth, Quality, and Yield of Irrigated Wheat in West Pakistan1

“…Several workers (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) have reported . increased yields of wheat from nitrogenous fertilizers applied in varying rates at different times with different methods of application.…”

“…increased yields of wheat from nitrogenous fertilizers applied in varying rates at different times with different methods of application. Others (2,4,6,9) reported increases in the nitrogen content of wheat grains due to applications of N. However, inconclusive data exist on the effect of nitrogenous fertilizers on K and P. •…”