| Journal: |
Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca
Academic Press Inc
|
Volume: |
|
| Abstract: |
Optimizing nitrogen fertilization is essential for enhancing wheat productivity and promoting
sustainable agriculture in salt-affected soils. This study investigated the effects of four nitrogen levels (0, 96,
192, and 288 kg N ha-1) on the agronomic performance of three wheat cultivars (‘Sakha-95’, ‘Giza-171’, and
‘Misr-3’) in a saline soil (9.18 dS m-1). Significant variations were observed in chlorophyll content, days to
heading, flag leaf area, yield and its components, nutrient content (N, P, K), protein content, nitrogen uptake,
nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) across nitrogen levels and cultivars.
Most traits improved with increasing nitrogen levels up to 288 kg N ha-1, except for canopy temperature
depression (CTD) and NUE, which declined. ‘Sakha-95’ showed the best performance in several parameters.
Additionally, ‘Sakha-95’ exhibited the highest efficiencies in agronomic efficiency (AE), physiological
efficiency (PE), apparent recovery efficiency (ARE), NUtE, and NUE. ‘Misr-3’ excelled in agro-physiological
efficiency (APE). The interaction between nitrogen levels and cultivars was crucial in determining optimal
growth conditions, with ‘Sakha-95’ and ‘Giza-171’ performing best at 288 kg N ha-1. Interaction effects showed
that ‘Sakha-95’ had the earliest heading at 0 and 96 kg N ha-1, while ‘Misr-3’ showed the highest grain
phosphorus content and PE at 288 kg N ha-1. Principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis indicated
key variables influencing agronomic performance under saline conditions. By identifying cultivar-specific
responses to nitrogen application, this study offers practical recommendations for improving wheat
productivity and nitrogen efficiency under saline conditions, supporting sustainable agricultural practices in
such challenging environment
|
|
|