Evaluating the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rate and source on the performance of open‐pollinated rye (Secale cereale L.) cultivars in contrasting European environments

Abstract

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is a minor cereal with potential to support sustainable farming practices. This study evaluated the performance of four old and modern European open‐pollinated winter rye cultivars grown with different nitrogen (N) sources (cattle slurry, farmyard manure, biogas digestate, mineral N) at two rates of N 50 and 100 kg ha−1 in the United Kingdom and Estonia, in the 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 growing seasons. Grain yield in Estonia was higher than the United Kingdom (6.2 vs. 4.8 t ha−1), which was attributed to a higher ear density (409.4 vs. 249.7 ears m−2) and grain number per ear (50.2 vs. 43.2), although 1,000‐grain weight was higher in the United Kingdom. There were clear differences between sites in the response to N source with significant N source × year interactions. Biogas digestate and mineral N produced higher grain yield than farmyard manure and cattle slurry in the United Kingdom, whereas in Estonia cattle slurry had a lower grain yield than the other N sources. Foliar diseases were absent in Estonia and in the United Kingdom, and N source only affected powdery mildew and leaf blotch on Leaf 2. The response of grain quality to N source and variety was consistent across both sites. The modern variety Elias had the highest Hagberg falling number and specific weight but the lowest protein content, whereas the variety Schlägler had the highest protein content but lowest specific weight. The benefits of selecting cultivars for specific environments are shown by the interactions between genotype and environment.

Increasing grain selenium concentration via genetic and agronomic innovations.

“…The higher yields obtained with BD when compared with FYM applied at the same total N-input level was also consistent with previously published studies on both spelt (Magistrali et al 2020) and rye (Tupits et al 2022). It con rmed that the use of BD as a fertiliser provides a sustainable option for both organic and conventional farmers to reduce their carbon footprint and fertiliser costs, while increasing/maintaining crop yields and overall economic performance.…”

Influence of Nitrogen Fertilisation Level and Weather Conditions on Yield and Quantitative Profile of Anti-Nutritional Compounds in Grain of Selected Rye Cultivars

“…In contrast, a study by Noland [51] showed that a significant increase in rye yield occurred only up to an application rate of 67 kg N•ha −1 . Population cultivars, however, showed a weaker yield response to nitrogen fertilisation than hybrid cultivars [52]. Szuleta et al [53] found no significant differences in the grain yield of rye population cultivars as a result of doubling the nitrogen dose.…”

Mycotoxin contamination in organic and conventional cereal grain and products: A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis

“…For example, maize and wheat are considered to be more at risk from Fusarium infection/mycotoxins than rye, barley, and oats (which have longer stems/straw than modern wheat varieties, and are produced with lower mineral N fertilizer inputs and without growth regulator applications in conventional production systems), while rye is most at risk from C. purpurea infection and ergot contamination (Agriopoulou, 2021; AHDB, 2002, 2016, 2018; Foroud & Eudes, 2009). There are also substantial differences in disease resistance between varieties of wheat, rye, and other cereals and varieties used in different countries/region of Europe (Magistrali et al., 2020; Rempelos et al., 2020; Tupits et al., 2022). For example, longer‐straw wheat varieties are thought to be less susceptible to Fusarium infection/mycotoxin contamination (Foroud & Eudes, 2009; Köpke et al., 2007), unless lodging occurs, which increases the risk of (i) colonization of grains by Fusarium, Aspergillus , and Penicillium species and (ii) both DON and OTA contamination (Konvalina et al., 2016; Nakajima et al., 2008).…”