Grain Yield and its Components of Triticale as Affected by Silicon Foliar Application, Nitrogen Fertilizer and Water Stress in Reproductive Phase
Journal Title: Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research - Year 2020, Vol 18, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction In the dry climate of southern Iran including Fars province, most precipitation occurs in winter, thus winter cereals such as triticale (Triticosecale Wittmack) experience water shortage at booting, flowering and grain filling stages in spring. The booting, flowering and grain filling periods are the most sensitive stages to water deficit. Nitrogen fertilizer application is a farmer's common practice to increase yield, but its performance depends mainly on soil water status than the amount and timing of N applications. On the other hand, matching N fertilization with crop water availability is essential for achieving acceptable grain yield. Farmers of southern Iran use N fertilizer beyond the recommended rate. High N fertilizer application in dry areas that water availability limitations frequently occurred during the grain filling stage of cereals increased severity of water stress. Some authors reported that the silicon application reduces the destructive effects of drought stress by physiological, biochemical, and physical mechanisms (Hattori et al., 2005). Therefore, silicon foliar application may decrease water stress severity, especially in high N crops. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the effects of silicon foliar application, different N rates and irrigation regimes on triticale yield in an arid area of southern Iran (Fars province).     Materials and Methods This research was conducted at the experimental farm of the Darab Agricultural Faculty of Shiraz University. A split factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out in the 2017-2018 growing season. Treatments included two levels of irrigation as the main plots [normal irrigation; irrigation based on the plant's water requirement up to the physiological maturity (IRN) and deficit irrigation; irrigation based on the plant's water requirement up to the anthesis stage (cutting of irrigation after anthesis) (IRDI)]. Also, sub plots were two levels of silicon foliar application [0, and 3 mM] and three N fertilizer levels [N0, no nitrogen fertilizer (control); N100, 100 kg N ha-1; N150, 150 kg N ha-1]. Biological yield, grain yield, yield components, plant height, spike length and chlorophyll index of flag leaf were measured. Then, the harvest index (HI) was calculated. Data were analyzed by using SAS 9.1 software (SAS Institute, 2004) and the means were compared using Duncanâs multiple range test at 5% probability level. Results and Discussion The results showed that the IRDI could cause severe water stress in the grain-filling period of the triticale life cycle and consequently reduction of 1000-grain weight, number of grains per spike and number of fertile tillers per m2. However, this reduction was more severe for 1000- grain weight than the other grain yield components and was not constant in different N fertilizer levels (18%, 21% and 36% reduction for N0, N100 and N150 kg N ha-1). Foliar silicon application decreased severity of late-season water stress and consequently improved 1000-seed weight, chlorophyll index, biological yield and finally HI and grain yield. With respect to grain yield, under IRN conditions, the highest grain yield was achieved by N150. Water stress decreased grain yield as a function of N fertilizer (24%, 26% and 46% reduction for N0, N100 and N150 kg N ha-1). Therefore, application of N100 could be acceptable for IRDI conditions. Conclusions According to the results of this study, the highest triticale grain yield (7098 kg ha-1) achieved by N150 in normal irrigation. The IRDI significantly decreased triticale grain yield at all N levels as compared with IRN. However, this reduction was different in N fertilizer rates (24%, 26% and 46% reduction for N0, N100 and N150). Therefore, the highest grain yield under IRDI conditions (4128 kg ha-1) was observed in N100. Therefore, with respect to environmental and economical considerations application of 100 and 150 kg N ha-1 were recommended for late-season water stress and normal irrigation conditions, respectively. Silicon foliar application decreased the severity of water stress and consequently increased grain yield (26%) under IRDI conditions. Therefore, the application of 3 mM of silicon at the anthesis stage is recommended for farms of triticale that expose to late-season water stress in southern Iran (Fars province).
Authors and Affiliations
V Barati,E Bijanzadeh,
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP718508
- DOI https://doi.org/10.22067/jcesc.2020.88386
- Views 46
- Downloads 0
Effect of Seeding Density on Radiation Absorption and Use Efficiency of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes under Direct Seeding Conditions
Introduction: Effective use of sunlight is a great opportunity to improve crop productivity. In conditions without growth limiting factors, there is a linear relationship between radiation absorption and dry matter produ...
Evaluation of Radiation use Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays L.) and Styrian Oil Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca) under Different Intercropping Ratios
Introduction: Mixed cropping is one of the oldest and most commonly used agricultural activities in low-yield systems in many parts of the world. One of the factors contributing to the superiority of the mixed cropping t...
The Effects of Some Biofertilizers and Nano Iron-Silicon Oxide on Yield and Grain Filling Components of Triticale (Triticosecale Wittmack) under Water Limitation Condition
IntroductionIn arid and semi-arid regions, drought stress as the main factor and salinity stress as a secondary factor decreases plant growth and yield. Water limitation can damage pigments and plastids, and reduce chlor...
Effect of Nitrogen Sources on Quantitative and Qualitative Yield of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) in Competition with Weeds
IntroductionOne of the important challenges in the agricultural sector is the low use efficiency of chemical fertilizers, especially nitrogen fertilizers, as well as the competition of weeds with crops. In this regard, i...
Agroecological Analysis of Sugar Beet Ecosystem (Beta vulgaris L.) in Torbat-e Heydarieh
IntroductionDuring the 1950s and 1960s, the green revolution led to a dramatic increase in global food and fodder production to eliminate hunger and boost food security. This production enhancement was accompanied by an...