Wheat Characteristics under Varied Irrigation and Nitrogen

 

• A strong positive correlation was observed between grain yield and irrigation but not with the N rate. The results suggest that irrigation can be reduced by 25% (medium irrigation) while crops maintain optimal grain yield and grain protein content. This recommendation will help to reduce water usage by 25% during wheat production in semiarid cropping systems.
• Application of 150 kg N ha-1 (soil residual N plus added fertilizer) is sufficient to optimize the grain yield and protein content of irrigated spring wheat grown in Idaho and Montana. This rate is lower than the currently recommended N rate in each state. Therefore, this recommendation will minimize input costs during wheat production, environmental impacts, and human health concerns.
• Strong positive correlations of SPAD or NDVI with grain yield suggest the feasibility of using these crop sensors for in-season wheat yield assessment, especially in irrigated cropping systems.