Response of Selected Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Varieties to Nitrogen Applied at Different Growth Stages.
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Abstract
In Kenya wheat is ranked second after maize as source of food and feed. Despite its importance, wheat production has stagnated in the last decade. Its annual domestic demands stand at 900,000 MT against production of 300,000 MT. Low productions is mainly due to low nitrogen use among other causes. Methods of nitrogen application were evaluated on wheat varieties (K Tai, K Sunbird and K Wren) grain yield and yield components. Field trials were laid out in RCBD replicated three times in a split plot arrangement in Njoro (2,164 m asl) and Mau Narok (2,690 m asl.) in 2011/2012 cropping season. Main plots consisted of wheat varieties and sub plots consisted of split nitrogen application at sowing (GS 0), tillering (GS 22) and stem elongation (GS 30). Parameters measured were grains/main spike, biomass, harvest index, thousand kernel, and grain yield benefit. There were significant variety yield differences (<P0.05) in Mau Narok with K. Tai giving the highest grain yield 2842 kg/ha,K.Wren (2674 kg/ha) and K. Sunbird (2560 kg/ha). Split application of nitrogen significantly influenced grain yields (6132.0 kg/ha) in Njoro and (3034.0 kg/ha) in Mau Narok. There were no interactions (varieties x nitrogen application). Kenya Tai was the best variety in both sites. Split application of nitrogen increased wheat yield output. Split application of N at GS 22 and GS 30 was the best method. Further research is required to evaluate different N application rates at different growth stages on the newly released varieties.
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