Effect of Seeding Rates and Nitrogen Levels on Yield and Yield Components of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) on Vertisols in Central High-Lands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at two locations in central high-lands of Ethiopia (Ginchi and Becho) to study the effect of seeding rates and different levels of nitrogen fertilizer on yield and yield components of wheat for two years (2014 to 2015). The experimental treatments at both locations considered were a factorial combination of five Nitrogen rates (0, 30, 60, 90 &120 Kg N/ha) and three seed rates (125, 150 and 175 kg/ha) laid out in a randomized complete block design in three replications where wheat variety 'Hidase' was used as a taste crop. Based on the significance of the F test (p<0.05), all parameters tasted: plant height, spike length, number of fertile tiller per plant, biomass yield, grain yield and harvest index were significantly affected by the main effect of nitrogen fertilizer rates at both locations. The highest grain yield kg/ha (5063) at Ginchi site and (5110.4 ) at Becho site as well as the highest harvest index (0.431) at Ginchi site (0.42) at Becho site were recorded at nitrogen level of 90 kgN/ha. The main effect of seeding rates significantly affect number of fertile tillers per plant, biomass yield and harvest index but plant height and spike length were not significantly changed due to seed rate effect at both locations. The highest number of fertile tiller per plant(4) at Ginchi site and (5) at Becho site was recorded at the lowest (125 kg/ha) seed rate level but the highest biomass yield was recorded at maximum (175 kg/ha) seed rate level at both sites. The interaction effect of nitrogen fertilizer rate and seed rate do not significantly alter all parameters tasted at both locations.

Keywords: Nitrogen, seed rate, vertisol, wheat, yield components