Optimized nitrogen fertilizer application strategies under supplementary irrigation improved winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and grain protein yield

Abstract

Background Exploring suitable split nitrogen management is essential for winter wheat production in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China (HPC) under water-saving irrigation conditions, which can increase grain and protein yields by improving nitrogen translocation, metabolic enzyme activity and grain nitrogen accumulation. Methods Therefore, a 2-year field experiment was conducted to investigate these effects in HPC. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at a constant total rate (240 kg/ha), split between the sowing and at winter wheat jointing growth stage in varying ratios, N1 (0% basal and 100% dressing fertilizer), N2 (30% basal and 70% dressing fertilizer), N3 (50% basal and 50% dressing fertilizer), N4 (70% basal and 30% dressing fertilizer), and N5 (100% basal and 0% dressing fertilizer). Results We found that the N3 treatment significantly increased nitrogen accumulation post-anthesis and nitrogen translocation to grains. In addition, this treatment significantly increased flag leaf free amino acid levels, and nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activities, as well as the accumulation rate, active accumulation period, and accumulation of 1000-grain nitrogen. These factors all contributed to high grain nitrogen accumulation. Finally, grain yield increase due to N3 ranging from 5.3% to 15.4% and protein yield from 13.7% to 31.6%. The grain and protein yields were significantly and positively correlated with nitrogen transport parameters, nitrogen metabolic enzyme activity levels, grain nitrogen filling parameters. Conclusions Therefore, the use of split nitrogen fertilizer application at a ratio of 50%:50% basal-topdressing is recommended for supporting high grain protein levels and strong nitrogen translocation, in pursuit of high-quality grain yield.

Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as affected by NPK fertilization

“…For more than 35% of the world’s population, wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is the primary source of nutrition [ 1 ], providing more than 45% of calories and more than 40% of protein to the world’s population [ 2 ]. In Nepal, wheat ranks as third major crops which is being cultivated on 707,505 ha, producing 2,185,289 metric tons with a low productivity of 3.09 t ha -1 [ 3 ] as compared to other developed countries such as China (5.63 t ha -1 ) [FAOSTAT; www.fao.org ].…”

Nitrogen concentration, its uptake, use efficiency and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) As influenced by difference in rate of nitrogen application in Khumaltar, Nepal

“…Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the important and third main staple food crops in Nepal with production of 0.71 million tons having the productivity of 2.99 tons ha − 1 in an area of 2.13 million ha (AITC 2022). It is a primary crop grown throughout the world, producing 0.8 billion tons in an area of 221 million ha with average productivity of 3.49 Mg ha − 1 (FAOSTAT 2022) and contributing 8% share in total world food production in 2020 (FAO 2022) providing > 45% of calories and > 40% of protein to the world population (Zhang et al 2021). The requirement for plant nutrients must be ful lled in order to increase production and enhance wheat quality.…”

Nitrogen and Chemical Control Management Improve Yield and Quality in High-Density Planting of Maize by Promoting Root-Bleeding Sap and Nutrient Absorption

“…Furthermore, nitrogen fertilizer plays an important role in the crop's nutrient accumulation and transport activity. Appropriate nitrogen application can increase the grain yield by increasing nutrient accumulation post-anthesis and nutrient translocation to grains (Zhang et al, 2021 ). Chemical control is one of the efficient cultivation measures, which regulates plant growth and development process, enhances nutrient utilization capacity and environment adaptability, and improves grain yield and quality (Hutsch and Schubert, 2017 ; Stutts et al, 2018 ).…”