Irrigated Wheat Nitrogen Management: Identifying Optimal Application Timing and Spliting: Research Article

Abdul Waheed; Majid Rahim; Muhammad Rashid; Muhammad Arif; Muhammad Tahir Shah; Muhammad Usman Saleem; Sarosh Alvi; Samina Hamid; Shahid Saleem; Sajid Ali; Raja Abad Raza; Abdul Rauf; Abdul Ghaffar Khan

doi:10.31580/28qj9v63

Authors

Abdul Waheed Soil Fertility Survey and Soil Testing Institute, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Majid Rahim Soil Fertility Survey and Soil Testing Institute, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Muhammad Rashid Soil Fertility Survey and Soil Testing Institute, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Muhammad Arif Soil Fertility, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Tahir Shah Soil and Water Testing Laboratory, Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan
Muhammad Usman Saleem Soil and Water Testing Laboratory, Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan
Sarosh Alvi Soil Fertility Survey and Soil Testing Institute, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Samina Hamid Soil Fertility Survey and Soil Testing Institute, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Shahid Saleem Soil Fertility Survey and Soil Testing Institute, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Sajid Ali Soil and Water Testing Laboratory, Jhang, Pakistan
Raja Abad Raza Soil Fertility Survey and Soil Testing Institute, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Abdul Rauf Soil Fertility, Field Wing, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
Abdul Ghaffar Khan Rapid Soil Fertility Research Institute, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31580/28qj9v63

Keywords:

Irrigated areas, Nitrogen fertilization, Pakistan, Split application, Yield response

Abstract

Bread wheat production in Punjab, Pakistan, is hindered by low available soil nitrogen (N) and reduced plant-use-efficiency. A well-balanced N supply is crucial for achieving higher grain yields, but accurately applying N fertilizer remains a challenge for wheat farmers in semiarid regions. This 2-year study (2023-24 and 2024-25) investigated the optimal timing and splits of N applications for maximizing wheat growth and grain yield in Attock and Gujrat, Pakistan. Our results showed that T_3, where N was applied in three equal splits (at sowing, at first irrigation, and at second irrigation), significantly outperformed other N application splitting and timings, resulting in the highest wheat yield at both locations and growing seasons. Notably, this treatment also significantly improved the post-harvest soil fertility status, viz., soil organic matter (SOM), available phosphorus (P₂O₅), and extractable potassium (K₂O), compared to pre-sowing soil fertility status at both locations and growing seasons. The findings of this study suggest that N fertilizer recommendations should consider the physiological processes of wheat that determine N uptake need and behavior. Therefore, based on the results of the current experiment, we recommend that N fertilizer application should be split into three equal episodes for improved wheat productivity in semi-arid regions. We further recommend the validation of these results in other climatic zones and variable soils.

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Irrigated Wheat Nitrogen Management: Identifying Optimal Application Timing and Spliting

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