Effect of Green Manures and Nitrogen Fertilizer Levels on Early Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In order to study the effect of different green manures and nitrogen fertilizer levels on early growth characteristics, grain yield and yield components of wheat, a field experiment was conducted on Agricultural Faculty of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz during 2010-2011. The experimental design was split plot based on RCB with three replications. Main plot including nitrogen fertilizer (Urea) rates (i. e. 0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha-1) and sub-plot including green manures (i.e. control, millet, sesbania, amaranth, cowpea and mungbean). This study was madin two stages. First sowing and incorporated of green manures on to the soil and then, sowing of wheat crop. Results showed that, both green manures and nitrogen fertilizer levels had positive effect on early growth of wheat seedling. Effect of green manures on dry matter and LAI of wheat seedling in lower nitrogen rates were significantly more than higher nitrogen rates. Highest seedling dry matter and LAI were obtained by application of 100 kg N ha-1 along with cowpea as green manure. Application of green manures had significant effects on grain yield and yield components of wheat crop in all nitrogen rates. In ecological point of view, the best grain yield and biological yield were obtained by use of 50 kg N ha-1 along with legume green manures especially cowpea and mungbean. Therefore, since application of 100 kg N ha-1 is recommended nitrogen rate for this region, use of legume green manures especially mungbean and cowpea along with 50 kg N ha-1, in addition of achieving high qualitative and quantitative yield, amount of used nitrogen fertilizer reduced.