Effect of different nitrogen levels on yield components, yield and nitrogen use efficiency of two lentil cultivars in rainfed conditions

پژوهش‌های حبوبات ایران

Article 12, Volume 10, Issue 1, June 2019, Pages 155-170   

Document Type: Original Articles

DOI: 10.22067/ijpr.v10i1.59699

Authors

Mohammad Bannayan¹; Fatemeh Yaghoubi^{* 1}; Zahra Rashidi¹; Siavash Bardehji^{2, 1}

¹Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

²Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.) is an important grain legume adapted to cool climates. It is cultivated on 155700 hectares in Iran with 94.7 % of this area under rainfed conditions. The average lentil yield in Iran is 1195 and 476 kg per hectare in irrigated and rainfed farms, respectively. Low productivity is due to use of local varieties, which have low yield potential, and poor agronomic management practices applied by the farmers such as limitation or inappropriate distribution of fertilizer. Nitrogen is an essential element for the growth of crops and its deficiency exists almost everywhere. It is the limiting factor in the crop growth more than any other element, unless use the nitrogen as a fertilizer. Despite the numerous advantages of nitrogen fertilizers, excessive consumption of nitrogen can cause pollution of surface and ground water through leaching and erosion and also increases costs. According to an adequate supply of nutrient elements by careful use of fertilizers, especially in poor soils, yield increases and nitrogen use efficiency improves. The objective of this study was evaluation of yield of two lentil cultivars under the influence of nitrogen fertilizer and also, investigation the nitrogen uptake, utilization and use efficiency to determine the best level of nitrogen fertilizer and cultivar for the study area.
 
 Materials & Methods
The experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, during growth season 2015-16. Nitrogen fertilizer (in three levels i.e. 0, 40 and 80 kg per hectare) and cultivar (Birjand and Robat) were in main plots and sub plots, respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied as urea to the plots before sowing. The sowing date was 9th March in 2016. Sampling was done at harvest time and included pod number per plant, seed number per pod, 100 seed weight, seed yield, biological yield and harvest index. Percentage of biomass nitrogen were measured with the Kjeldahl method and the efficiency index calculated by using the following equation:
NupE= Noff/ Ns­­
NutE­­b= B/ Noff
NutE­­s= Sw/ Noff
NUE­­b= B/ Ns
NUEs= Sw/ Ns                                                                                                                            
Where NupE is the nitrogen (N) uptake efficiency, Noff is the N in above ground dry matter, Ns is the soil N supply, NutEb is the N utilization efficiency based on biomass basis, B is the total above ground biomass at harvest, NutEs is the N utilization efficiency based on seed yield, Sw is the seed weight, NUEb is the N use efficiency based on biological yield, NUEs is the N use efficiency based on seed yield. Data were analyzed with the SAS software; obtained averages compared with LSD test at the 5% level.
 
Results & Discussion
The results showed that the interaction effect between nitrogen fertilizer and cultivar was significant on yield components, seed and biological yield. 40 kg nitrogen fertilizer per hectare and Birjand cultivar showed that maximum of pod number per plant (33.47), seed (338. 23 kg per hectare) and biological yield (3291.68 kg per hectare). Maximum of seed number per pod and 100 seed weight were obtained in treatment of non-use of nitrogen fertilizer and Birjand cultivar and treatment of 40 kg nitrogen fertilizer per hectare and Robat cultivar, respectively. Interaction effect between nitrogen fertilizer and cultivar was significant on nitrogen content of biomass, nitrogen uptake, utilization and use efficiency based on seed and biological yields. 40 kg nitrogen fertilizer per hectare and Birjand cultivar showed that maximum of nitrogen content of biomass and nitrogen uptake efficiency. The highest nitrogen use efficiency based on seed yield (3.39 kg seed per kg Ns) and biological yield (33.48 kg biomass per kg Ns) were obtained in treatment of non-use of nitrogen fertilizer and Birjand cultivar that the difference was no significant with the treatment of 40 kg nitrogen fertilizer per hectare and Birjand cultivar. Analysis of correlation showed that, yield and nitrogen use efficiency had positive and significant correlations with the pod number per plant and nitrogen uptake efficiency, respectively. Also, there was positive and significant correlation between nitrogen uptake efficiency and yield.
 
Conclusion
The results of this study indicated that treatment of 40 kg nitrogen fertilizer per hectare and Birjand cultivar are able to achieve maximum yield and nitrogen use efficiency. However, Birjand cultivar is a late cultivar and requires the optimum planting date for cultivation in this region. According to the observed correlations, breeding of this plant should be cultivars that they absorb nitrogen with more efficiently, so that in addition to improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing environmental pollution also yield increase.

Keywords

Birjand cultivar; Nitrogen uptake efficiency; Nitrogen utilization efficiency; Robat cultivar

References

1. Ameri, A., Nassiri, M., and Rezvani, P. 2008. Effects of different nitrogen levels and plant density on flower, essential oils and extract production and nitrogen use efficiency of Marigold (Calendula officinalis). Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research 5: 315-325. (In Persian with English Summary).
2. Asadi, G.A., Moemen, A., Nurzadeh Namaghi, M., Khorramdel, S. 2013. Effects of organic and chemical fertilizer rates on nitrogen efficiency indices of isabgol (Plantago ovata). Journal of Agroecology 5(4): 373-382. (In Persian with English Summary).
3. Azad, A.S., and Gill, A.A. 1989. Effect of the application of phosphorus fertilizer on grain yield of lentil. Lens Newsletter 16(1): 28-30.
4. Bagheri, A., Goldani, M., and Hasanzadeh, M. 1997. Agronomy and Breeding of Lentil. Jahad Daneshgahi Mashhad Press. (In Persian).
5. Bagheri, A.R., and Parsa, M. 2009. Pulses. Jahad Daneshgahi Mashhad Press. (In Persian).
6. Bingham, I.J., Karley, A.J., White, P.J., Thomas, W.T.B., and Russell, J.R. 2012. Analysis of improvements in nitrogen use efficiency associated with 75 years of spring barley breeding. European Journal of Agronomy 42: 49-58.
7. Coque, M., and Gallais, A. 2007. Genetic variation among European maize varieties for nitrogen use efficiency under low and high nitrogen fertilization. Maydica 52: 383-
8. Draycoot, A.P., and Christenson, D.R. 2003. Nutrients for Sugar Beet Production: Soil-Plant R CABI Publishing, Wallingford.
9. Feiziasl, V., Fotovat, A., Astraei, A.R., Lakziyan, A., amd Mosavi, S.B. 2014. Effect of optimized nitrogen application in reducing drought stress effect on grain yield of some rainfall bread wheat genotypes. Seed and Plant Production Journal 30 (2): 169-198. (In Persian with English Summary).
10. Ghahghaei, F., Galavi, M., Ramroodi, M., and Bagheri, A. 2010. The comparison of yield and yield components of lentl genotypes at low irrigation in Sistan region. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research 8(3): 431-437. (In Persian with English Summary).
11. Hashemidezfooli, A., Koochaki, A., and Banayanavval, M. 1998. Crop Plant I Jahad Daneshgahi Mashhad Press. (In Persian).
12. Hatami, H., Inehband, A., Azizi, M., and Dadkhah, A. 2009. Effect of N fertilizer on growth and yield of soybean at North Khorasan. Electronic Journal of Crop Productivity (EJCP) 2(2): 25-42. (In Persian with English Summary).
13. Hosseini, F.S., Nezami, A., Parsa, M., and Hajmohammadnia Ghalibaf, K. 2011. Effect of supplementary irrigation on yield and yield components of lentil (Lens culinaris) cultivars in Mashhad climate. Journal of Water and Soil 25(3): 625-633. (In Persian with English Summary).
14. Jafariani, M., Beheshti, A.R., and Taheri, G. 2010. Evaluation of nitrogen efficiency on grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench) genotypes. Journal of Agroecology 2(3): 502-511. (In Persian with English Summary).
15. Joudi, F., Tobeh, A., Ebadi, A., Mostafaee, H., and Jamaati-e-Somarin, Sh. 2011. Nitrogen effects on yield, yield components, agronomical and recovery nitrogen use efficiency in lentil genotypes. Electronic Journal of Crop Productivity (EJCP) 4(4): 39-50. (In Persian with English Summary).
16. Kashafi, S.M.H., Majnoun Hosseini, N., and Zeinali Khaneghah, H. 2011. Effect of plant density and starter nitrogen fertilizer on yield and yield components of chickpea (Cicer arietinum cv. Kourosh) at Karaj conditions. Pulses Research 1(2): 11-20. (In Persian with English Summary).
17. Koocheki, A., Nasiri Mahallati, M., Moradi, R., and Alizade, Y. 2015. Evaluation of yield and nitrogen use efficiency of maize and cotton intercropping under different nitrogen levels. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research 13(1): 1-13. (In Persian with English Summary).
18. Kumar, P., Agrawal, J.P., and Chandra, S. 1993. Effect of inoculation, nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and yield of lentil. Lens-Newsletter (ICARDA). Lentil Experimental News Service 20: 57-59.
19. Manova, N.T.F., and Manara, W. 1988. Simple correlation and multiple regression studies in lentil. Legume Research 11(2): 34-36.
20. Miguele, Z., Frade, M.M., and Valenciano, J.B. 2005. Effect of sowing density on the yield and yield components of spring-sowing irrigated chickpea (Cicer arietinum ) growing in Spain. New Zeeland Journal of Crop and Horticulture Science 33: 367-371.
21. Ministry of Agriculture Jihad (MAJ). 2015. Statistical Yearbook of Agriculture, Volume I: Field Crops 2012- Available at Web site http://www.maj.ir/Portal/Home/Default.aspx?. (verified 4 January 2015).
22. Mohammadzadeh, A., Majnun Hoseini, N., Moghaddam, H., and Akbari, M. 2012. Effect of different of drought stress and yield components of two genotype of common bean. Iranian Journal of Crop Science 43(1): 29-38. (In Persian with English Summary).
23. Mohseni Mohammadjanloo, A., Tobeh, A., Gholipouri, A., and Mostafai, H. 2012. The effects of potassium application on uptake and allocation of nitrogen and seed protein on two lentil (Lens culinaris) cultivars in rain-fed condition. Iranian Journal of Pulses Research 2(1): 31-40. (In Persian with English Summary).
24. Monteith, L. 1977. Climate and the efficiency of crop production in Britain. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B 281: 277- 294.
25. Moll, R.H., Kamprath, E.J., and Jackson, W.A. 1982. Analysis and interpretation of factors which contribute to efficiency of nitrogen utilization. Agronomy Journal 74: 562-
26. Murari, K., Pandey, S.L., and Kumar, V. 1988. Simple correlation and multiple regression studies in lentil. Legume Research 11: 101-102.
27. Nakhzari Moghadam, A., and Ramroudi, M. 2003. Effects of planting date and nitrogen rate on yield and yield components of lentil (Lens culinaris). Journal of Agriculture Science and Natural Resources 9(4): 33-42. (In Persian with English Summary).
28. Noshad, H., Abdollahian Noghabi, M., and Babaee, B. 2012. Effect of nitrigen and phosphorous application on the efficiency of nitrogen uptake and consumption in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). Iranian Journal of Field Crop Science 43(3): 529-539. (In Persian with English Summary).
29. Noulas, C.T., Stamp, P.T., Soldati, A., and Liedgens, M. 2004. Nitrogen use efficiency of spring wheat genotypes under field and lysimeter conditions. Agronomy and Crop Science 190: 111-198.
30. Pathak, R.R., Ahmad, A., Lochab, S., and Raghuram, N. 2008. Molecular physiology of plant nitrogen use efficiency and biotechnological options for its enhancement. Current Science 94: 1394-1403.
31. Rochester, I.J., Peoples, M.B., and Constable, G.A. 2001. Estimation of the N fertilizer requirement of cotton grown after legume crops. Field Crops Research 70: 43-53.
32. Rostami, M. Evaluation of Use Efficiency and Nitrogen Dynamics in Corn C PhD Dissertation, Faculty of Agricultural, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. (In Persian with English Summary).
33. Sabaghpour, S.H., Seyyedi, F., Mahmoudi, A.A., Safi Khani, M., Pezeshkpour, P., Rostami, B., Kamel, M., Farayadi, Y., Alahyari, N., Mehdipour Siabidi, M., Kanouni, H., Mahmoudi, F., Pouralibaba, H., Karami, I., and Jahangiri, A. 2013. Kimiya, a new high yielding lentil cultivar for moderate cold and semi warm climate of Iran. Seed and Plant Improvment Journal 29-1(2): 397-399. (In Persian with English Summary).
34. Saeidipour, S. 2010. The effect of nitrogen split on assimilation and partitioning dry matter and nitrogen in chickpea under Ahvaz conditions. Plant Production Science (Journal of Agricultural Research) 2(3): 13-23. (in Persian with English abstract)
35. Sinebo, W., Gretzmacher, R., and Edelbauer, A. 2002. Environment of selection for grain yield in low fertilizer input barley. Field Crops Research 74: 151-162.
36. Sowers, K.E., Pan, W.L., Miller, B.C., and Smith, J.L. 1994. Nitrogen use efficiency of split nitrogen applications in soft white winter wheat. Agronomy Jouarnal 86: 942-948.
37. Timsina, J., Singh, U., Badaruddin, M., Meisner C., and Amin, M.R. 2001. Cultivar, nitrogen, and water effects on productivity, and nitrogen-use efficiency and balance for rice-wheat sequences of Bangladesh. Field Crops Research 72: 43-161.
38. Tiwari, R.J., and Vyas, M.D. 1994. Effect of soil moisture content on the field emergence and yield of lentil. Lens Newsletter 21(1): 20-21.
39. Togay, Y., Togay, N., Dogan, Y., and Ciftici, V. 2005. Effects of nitrogen levels and forms on the yield and yield components of lentil (Lens culinaris). Asian Journal of Plant Science 4: 64-66.
40. Tousi, P., Pirzad, A., Atabaki, A. 2014. Effect of nitrogen levels on NUE and oil content in two cultivars of rapeseed. Research in Crop Ecosystems 1(2): 63-72. (In Persian with English Summary).
41. Uribelarrea, M., Moose, S.P., and Below, F.E. 2007. Divergent selection for grain protein affects nitrogen use in maize hybrids. Field Crops Research 100: 82-
42. Younis, N., Hanif, M., Sadiq, S., Abbas, G., Javad, A.M., and Ahsanul, H.M. 2008. Estimates of genetic parameters and path analysis in lentil (Lense culinaris Medik). Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Science 45: 44-48.
43. Zhang, D., Li, W., Xin, C., Tang, W., Eneji, A.E., and Dong, H. 2012. Lint yield and nitrogen use efficiency of field-grown cotton vary with soil salinity and nitrogen application rate. Field Crops Research 138: 63-70.