Nitrogen in wheat and its effect on yield, nitrate and potassium concentrations on extract cellular of stem (ECS)

Abstract

Nitrogen fertilizer use is essential for optimizing yield on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), so that an efficient management increases yield and reduces inputs. A field experiment was conducted aiming to identify yield response of wheat to nitrogen fertilizer levels (0 kg N ha^–1 – 460 kg N ha^–1), and to identify nitrate and potassium concentrations on extract cellular of stem (ECS) associated at high yields. Samples of stem wheat plants were employed to identify nitrate and potassium concentration on ECS as follow: 81, 101 and 121 days after seeding (DDS). Maximum yield (8.7 t ha^–1) was obtained with 230 kg of N ha^–1, whereas spikelets per spike were as high nitrogen dose was increased applied. Nitrate but not potassium concentrations on ECT correlated well with high relative yields showing R² values of 0.70, 0.76 and 0.74 at 81, 101 and 121 DDS respectively. It is concluded that, to achieve acceptable grain yield, concentrations of nitrate on ECT should be between 4000 mg L^–1 – 5500 mg L^–1, 600 mg L^–1 – 850 mg L^–1 and 400 mg L^–1 – 500 mg L^–1 at mentioned above dates.