Slow-release fertilizer to increase grain N content in spring wheat

Authors

  • Ari Rajala MTT Agrifood Research Finland
  • Pirjo Peltonen-Sainio MTT Agrifood Research Finland

Keywords:

grain, nitrogen, protein, slow-release fertilizer, yield, wheat

Abstract

Low grain protein often restricts the use of grain lots for milling in Finland. Nitrogen availability during grain-filling may restrict grain protein accumulation, particularly in high yielding environments. Slow-release fertilizers could potentially sustain nitrogen availability during the grain-filling period. The aim of this study was to increase plant nitrogen uptake, grain yield and grain protein response of spring wheat cultivar ‘Amaretto’, using combinations of a regular and slow-release compound NPK fertilizer. Fertilizer treatment effects on grain yield was modest, however, slow-release fertilizer treatments lowered grain protein content as well as grain, straw and total plant N compared with control treatment. The total plant N was 10 to 27 kg ha-1 lower following application of slow-release fertilizer. The results clearly indicate that the release of N by the slow-release fertilizer tested in this trial was too slow for cool Finnish growing conditions.

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Section
Research notes

Published

2013-10-16

How to Cite

Rajala, A., & Peltonen-Sainio, P. (2013). Slow-release fertilizer to increase grain N content in spring wheat. Agricultural and Food Science, 22(3), 318–324. https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.8160
Received 2013-05-23
Accepted 2013-10-01
Published 2013-10-16