Mohamed S. Awwad, K.S. El-Hedek, M.A. Bayoumi and T.A. Eid( 2018). Foliar Urea as A Supplement of Soil Nitrogen Application For Wheat Grown Under Different Planting MethodsZagazig J. Agric. Res., Vol. 45 No. (3) 2018
Abstract: Foliar urea application is one of the nitrogen (N) application methods in cereal crops. Yield and yield components may be affected by foliar urea application. A field experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Center Experimental Station, Giza Governorate, Egypt, to evaluate the effect of soil and foliar application of urea applied in different concentrations and at different stages on yield, yield components, nutrient uptake and grain protein content of wheat (Triticum aestivum L). The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Recommended dose of N fertilizer (90 kg N fad.-1) as urea was added at 3 stages (two leaves, tillering and booting stage) as soil application, with flat and/or terrace method of sowing. Soil application of 60 kg N fad.-1 as urea was added at 3 stages (two leaves, tillering and booting stage), and 10 kg N as 2.5% urea foliar application at (tillering and booting stage) with flat and/or terrace sowing method. 30 kg N fad.-1 soil application as urea added at 3 stages (at two leaves, tillering and booting stage), and 10 kg N as 2.5% urea foliar application at (tillering and booting stage) with flat and/or terrace sowing method. The results revealed that application of N at rate of 60 kg N fad.-1 as urea combined with foliar urea produced relative increase since it recorded 4.29%, 2.62%, 13.35%, 1.69%, 12.92%, 15.85%, 14.17% and 1.83% for plant height, spike length, tillers, 1000 grains as well as, straw, grain, biological yields and harvest index, respectively compared with the recommended dose of N as soil application (90 kg N Soil applied). Application of nitrogen at different levels as soil application or combined with foliar urea spray in terrace planting increased nutrients concentrations and its uptake in straw and grains of wheat plants compared with the flat planting. While, the highest values of N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Zn in straw and grains of wheat plants were obtained in plots received 60 kg N fad.-1 + foliar urea spray compared with all other treatments. The results indicated that nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) decreased with increasing N rate as soil application. Maximum nitrogen use efficiency (50.61%) was recorded at application of 60 kg N fad.-1, as soil application along with 2.5% urea as foliar application and minimum of it (39.4%) was recorded at 90 kg N fad.-1, as soil application along with 2.5% urea as foliar application. The plants which fertilized with the rate of 60 kg fad.-1 + foliar urea spray with terrace planting gave the best protein content in wheat grains (11.43%). The residual nitrogen in the soil was significantly increased with increasing application of nitrogen fertilizer. It was noted that plots that received 90, 60 and 30 kg N fad.-1 significantly retained more nitrogen and was higher by 42.3, 35.9 and 31.1%, respectively than the control treatment. Less seasonal values applied irrigation water for raised bed techniques were (1740 m3/fed. ) While the traditional method was (2305 m3 / fed) with water supply of 22.8% compared to the conventional method. The highest water productivity values were under the addition of nitrogen fertilizer 60 kg + spray in urea, which increased by 40.6% compared to the traditional method
Keywords: (Wheat, yield components, foliar urea, NPK uptake.)
