The effect of nitrogen fertilization on yielding and grain quality of winter wheat cultivars

Sławomir Stankowski

Grażyna Podolska

Krzysztof Pacewicz

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted by the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation in Puławy on 2 locations (Miecze, Osobne) in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 on good wheat soil complex. The studied factors were: 3 nitrogen fertilization levels (80 = 40 + 30 +10, 120 = 60 + 40
+ 20, 160 = 60 + 60 + 40 kg N ha^-1) and 4 winter wheat cultivars (Kobra, Korweta, Sakwa, Zyta). The nitrogen doses were applied at the following phases: the vegetation beginning, the shooting in stalk and the earing. The following traits were estimated: grain yield, weight of 1000 grains, test weight, falling number by Hagberg-Perten method, gluten content, gluten weakening, Zeleny test of flour sedimentation and the farinographic traits, water absorption of flour, dough resistance, dough weakening and the valorimeter value. The effect of increased nitrogen dose from 80 to 160 kg per ha was different in 2 locations. In Miecze there was no yield increase and in Osobne the average increase of yield amounted to 0.57 t ha^-1. The results indicate that the effect of fertilization on the size and the filling of the grain as well as the resistance to sprouting was insignificant or very low. The application of an increased nitrogen fertilization dose caused an increase of the other quality traits. Only for gluten weakening there were no significant difference. The reaction of cultivars was similar in the years of experiment and locations. Zyta and Korweta cultivars had a better quality of grain than Kobra and Sakwa.