Impact of Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Grain Yield in Winter Triticale Grown on Degraded Vertisol

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate: (1) the effects of fertilization, environment, and their interactions on the thousand grain weight (TGW), hectolitre weight (HW) and grain yield (GY) of winter triticale, and (2) the correlations between these traits in different environments. The invariable nitrogen (80 kg N ha−1), potassium (60 kg K2O ha−1) and two phosphorus (60 and 100 kg P2O5 ha−1) doses were used in Kragujevac location in central Serbia. Nitrogen was applied individually and in combination with two phosphorus rates and one rate of potassium fertilizer. Eight fertilization treatment controls and N80, P60, P100, N80P60K60, N80P100K60, N80P60 and N80P100 were examined during three growing seasons. The yield and quality of triticale significantly varied across years and treatments. The average yield of all treatments in the 2015 growing season was significantly greater than in the previous years (3.597 t ha−1). Combined usage of NPK fertilizer (80 kg N ha−1, 100 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 60 kg K2O ha−1) represented the excellent base for optimum supply of major nutrients, resulting in maximum GY (4.0 t ha−1). Negative and significant correlation was found between grain GY and TGW (−0.392*) in 2015, and positive highly significant correlation were in 2013 (0.648**) and 2014 (0.493**). The positive effect over complete application of fertilizer is the result of a lower pH value of the soil, as well as the low content of available phosphorus and potassium in Vertisol soil type. Optimizing fertilization for maximum profitability is of great importance in the future triticale production in Pannonian Environments.