Strobilurin Effects on Nitrogen Use Efficiency for the Yield and Protein in Durum Wheat Grown Under Rainfed Mediterranean Conditions

Abstract

In wheat, the increase in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and optimization of the nitrogen doses to be used are both very important aspects for improving sustainable and productive agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate, under rainfed Mediterranean conditions, the influence of strobilurin treatment and N fertilization on durum wheat N use efficiency for yield (NUEy) and protein (NUEp) and on the contribution of their components, nitrogen uptake efficiency (UPE) and nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE). Two durum wheat cultivars (Saragolla and Sfinge) were grown for two years in field conditions under five nitrogen treatments (60 kg ha−1 N60; 90 and 120 kg ha−1 given two and three times; N90, N90T3, N120 and N120T3) comparing a control without strobilurin treatment (ST0) and one application of strobilurin (STaz). In Sfinge, STaz caused a decrease in UPE and NUEp and an increase in NUtE and NUEy. In Saragolla, the opposite behavior was observed. Moreover, strobilurin positively affected the contribution of UPE and negatively that of NUtE to NUEy only in Saragolla. Furthermore, strobilurin determined higher NUEy and NUEp values under most of the N treatments adopted in the drier year. With this study, we supported the hypothesis that in Mediterranean conditions, the possibility of reducing N rate application from 120 to 90 kg ha−1 with a strobilurin-based treatment, even in the absence of fungal diseases, could represent a useful agronomic strategy for durum wheat grown under drought conditions as those predicted under the ongoing climate change.

Composting of Olive Mill Pomace, Agro-Industrial Sewage Sludge and Other Residues: Process Monitoring and Agronomic Use of the Resulting Composts

“…In accordance with similar studies [55][56][57][58][59], our results indicated that wheat grain yield parameters generally increased by combined application of mineral fertilizer and compost. These effects are probably related to a positive effect of organic matter on soil structure, which led to better root development and, consequently, to a more nutrient uptake [51,54].…”

Agronomic Strategies to Improve N Efficiency Indices in Organic Durum Wheat Grown in Mediterranean Area

“…As an alternative, several authors have proposed to substitute NUE with the nitrogen uti-lization efficiency index (NUtE), which is a component of NUE [4]. Higher NUtE has been correlated with higher yield in the modern varieties, which show a significant partitioning of dry matter and N to grain [5,6]. On the other hand, Foulkes et al [7] suggested that in organic growing systems, old varieties may be more suitable than modern ones, due to their higher efficiency in recovery N from the soil.…”

Minimizing Yield Losses and Sanitary Risks through an Appropriate Combination of Fungicide Seed and Foliar Treatments on Wheat in Different Production Situations

“…Several studies have reported a significantly higher capacity of strobilurin [21,41] and carboxamides [24,42] to control foliar disease and to maintain the green leaf area longer than triazoles, as well as of reducing the decline in flag leaf physiological activity and ensuring higher grain yields. In addition, both strobilurin and carboxamide have demonstrated the capacity to provide physiological benefits that further improve the photosynthetic rate of wheat [27,[43][44][45] and other arable crops [46,47].…”