Optimized potential of utilization efficiency and productivity in wheat by integrated chemical nitrogen fertilization and stimulative compounds

Abstract

Foliar sprays application is an important crop management strategy, which could help to maximize yield and other beneficial substances. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Kafrelsheikh University research farm, Egypt, to study the effect of stimulating compounds (control, salicylic acid and ascobien) and nitrogen levels (0, 57.5, 115, 172.5 and 230 kg N ha-1) on yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency of wheat. Results indicated that spraying of ascobien and increasing nitrogen level had significant effect on yield traits. Interaction between stimulating compounds and nitrogen were achieved progressive increases in all yield traits, furthermore, the magnitude of increments was much more pronounced in response to salicylic acid and control treatments in both seasons. It was observed no statistically significant difference between 172.5 and 230 kg N ha-1 in both seasons. A significant interactive effect were observed on grain N uptake, whole plant N uptake, nitrogen harvest index (NHI), nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by using foliar spraying combined with N fertilizer. Grain N uptake and whole plant N uptake were closely correlated with nitrogen under stimulating compounds, whereas ascobien with 172.5 kg N ha-1 was more effective than salicylic acid in both seasons. Interestingly, foliar spraying of ascobien and N level of 172.5 kg ha-1 was the optimal and could be a useful to improve the efficiency of N-fertilizer and it can be saved 57.5 kg N ha-1. Consequently, could be the key to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and decrease the cost of production.