The Role of Nitrogen Fertilization in Improving Wheat Crop Yields

Abstract

A field study was conducted during the 2021-22 growing season to evaluate the effects of different nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha⁻¹) on the performance of two wheat genotypes, Galaxyand AZRC- Dera. The study meticulously gathered detailed data on various growth and yield parameters, which were then rigorously analyzed. The findings revealed that AZRC-Dera consistently outperformed Galaxyacross several key metrics. Throughout the crop growth cycle, AZRC-Dera produced notably taller plants, a trend that was significantly enhanced by incremental nitrogen application. The application of nitrogen at 120 kg ha⁻¹ was particularly effective, resulting in substantial increases in both the number of tillers and fertile tillers per plant in AZRC-Dera. Furthermore, the grain yield of AZRC-Dera was markedly higher compared to Galaxy, underscoring the genotype's superior responsiveness to nitrogen fertilization. The study conclusively demonstrated that each incremental addition of nitrogen fertilizer had a positive impact on the growth and productivity of the wheat cultivars under investigation. AZRC-Dera, in particular, exhibited notable superiority in several growth and yield parameters, making it a promising candidate for achieving higher wheat productivity through optimized nitrogen management. The research highlights the critical role of nitrogen fertilization in enhancing wheat growth and yield, with AZRC-Dera showing significant advantages in terms of plant height, tiller production, and grain yield. These findings provide valuable insights for agronomic practices aimed at maximizing wheat productivity.