Evaluation of Nitrogen Sources and Polymer Coated Fertilizers on Wheat Yield in Sandy Soil

Abstract

Controlled-release fertilizers are the novel and most technically advanced way of supplying mineral nutrients to crops. Compared to conventional fertilizers, their gradual pattern of nutrient release better meets plant needs, minimizes leaching, and therefore improves fertilizer use efficiency. A field experiment was carried out to study the effects of different nitrogen sources, application times, and nitrogen rates at south El-kantra Research Station, Desert Research Center, North Sinai, Egypt. The study aimed to investigate nitrogen rates at 107,160, and 214 kg/ha on wheat yield components, nutrients content and uptake by straw and grains of wheat crop (var. Sakha 93) and the level of available nutrients in the soil. The study revealed that increasing the application rate of N, increased yield components, nutrients content and uptake of wheat as well as increased the elements in soil. Application of 214 kg/ha of Polymer-Coated Urea (PCU) at the heading stage resulted the highest yield and recorded 6.37, 3.02, 3.35 ton/fed and 51 g for dry weight of biological yield, grain, shoots and 1000-grain, respectively. This study highlights the efficiency of fertilizers that can be significantly improved with the use of PCU as N sources and subsequently minimise the pollution hazard with other studied N sources. The highest value of N recovery efficiency (41.88%) was recorded by application of 214 kg/ha PCU at the heading stage when compared with the conventional source.