Enhancing the Proficiency of Water Use in Wheat Through Nitrogen Forms, Irrigation Intervals and Soil Conditioners

Field experiments were carried out at the Tameia Agricultural Research Station, Fayoum Governorate, Egypt, during the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons in order to study the impact of nitrogen fertilization forms, irrigation intervals and some soil conditioners on the yield, yield components and crop water relations of wheat (Giza 168). Two nitrogen forms with three irrigation intervals, i.e. I-1: irrigation at 14days, I-2: 21days and I-3: 28days with soil conditioners at the rate of 11.9tha(-1), i.e. C-1 control (without any addition), C-2: compost, C-3: rice straw and C-4: sawdust with three replications in a split-split plot design. Results indicate that the highest wheat grain yields in both years were detected from a combination of applying liquid ammonia gas, irrigation at 14-day intervals and addition of compost. This treatment also gave higher values for yield components, uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and their concentration in the grain. Further, it resulted in highest values for the consumptive use of water as well as water productivity. Thus, a combination of applying liquid ammonia gas, irrigation at 14-day intervals and addition of compost can be adopted in wider areas in Egypt for enhanced wheat grain yield. (c) 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.