YIELD AND GRAIN PROTEIN OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) IS INFLUENCED BY THE APPLICATION OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NITROGEN

Abstract

Malnutrition is one of the major problems in the poor people of Bangladesh. There are some reports that additional nitrogen (over than recommended does) application to wheat plants result in more pro tein content in wheat grain. To justify these phenom ena, the experiment was conducted in consecutive two years (2015-16 and 2016-17) at two locations (Gazipur and Dinajpur) during rabi season (Novem ber to March each year). There were used six nitro gen (N) treatments, such as 0, 100, 125, T3; 150, 175 and 200 kg N ha-1 . In the study, wheat cultivated at Dinajpur location exhibited more spikes m-2 , spike length, spikelets spike-1 , grains spike-1 , 1000-grain weight and higher grain yield in both years than Gazipur location. Considering combined N levels over the locations, the highest grain protein (14 %) as well as grain yield (5.00 t ha-1 ) was estimated when 200 kg N ha-1 was applied. In economics point of view, 200 kg N ha-1 application also gave the max imum (BCR, 1.21) followed by 175 kg N ha-1 (1.20) and 150 kg N ha-1 1.20). Whereas, the maximum MBCR was found in 100 kg N ha-1 (15.63). There fore, to minimize malnutrition severity among the children as well as adult people in the developing countries like Bangladesh, 175 or 200 kg N ha-1 may be applied in wheat to increase percentage protein in wheat grain.