02. Nitrogen uptake of wheat cultivars as influenced by urease inhibitor application stages and nitrogen levels
Abstract
The performance of wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) was evaluated using various nitrogen levels and
urease inhibitor application stages at New Developmental Farm of The University Agriculture, Peshawar,
Pakistan during winter 2012-13. The field experiment was layout in randomized complete block design
with split plot arrangement having four replications. Four nitrogen levels (0, 60, 120 and 150 kg ha-1)
and urease inhibitor stages (100% sowing stage, 50% sowing stage + 50% booting stage and 100% booting
stage) were allotted to main plots, while wheat cultivars (Siran and Atta-Habib) were allotted to sub plots.
Application of urease inhibitor 100% at sowing stage had maximum nitrogen uptake in root (11.40 g kg-1),
nitrogen uptake in stem (9.95 g kg-1), nitrogen uptake in leaves (15.06 g kg-1) and nitrogen uptake in grain
(32.68 g kg-1) as compared with urease application 100% at booting stage but maximum nitrogen in soil
(7.39 g kg-1) was recorded when urea coated with urease inhibitor 100% at booting stage. Plots treated with
120 kg N ha-1 produced maximum nitrogen uptake in root (9.90 g kg-1), nitrogen uptake in stem (8.94 g kg-
1), nitrogen uptake in leaves (14.03 g kg-1) and nitrogen uptake in grain (29.78 g kg-1) as compared with
control plots while maximum nitrogen in soil (6.90 g kg-1) was recorded when plots treated with 150 kg N
ha-1. Wheat cultivar Siran had significantly produced maximum nitrogen uptake in root (7.04 g kg-1),
nitrogen uptake in stem (5.86 g kg-1), nitrogen uptake in leaves (11.62 g kg-1) and nitrogen uptake in grain
(25.15 g kg-1) as compared to Atta-Habib. It was concluded from this study that cultivar Siran treated with
120 kg N ha-1 and coated urea with urease inhibitor 100% at sowing stage for improved nitrogen uptake in
root, stem, leaves and grain and thus, is recommended for general practice in agro-climatic conditions of
Peshawar valley.
Keywords: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Urease inhibitor application stages, Nitrogen levels, Wheat cultivars, Nitrogen uptake
