Nitrogen fertilizer can increase dry matter, grain production and radiation and water use efficiencies for durum wheat under semi-arid conditions.

摘要

In field trials in 1989-91 at Cherfech (clay soil) and in 1990-92 at Nabeul, Tunisia (sandy soil), durum wheat cv. Karim was grown with or without N fertilizer and irrigation. Irrigation and N increased aboveground dry matter production and grain yield, particularly on the sandy soil. This was due to increased LAI and green spike area and an increased period in which the crop remained green. This increased total dry matter, which resulted in improved radiation and water use efficiencies. However, Nuse efficiency decreased with N rate.