Effect of Urea and Nitrapyrine on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Different Wheat Cultivars (Triticum aestivume L.) under Different Tillage Conditions

In order to evaluate different tillage methods and urea fertilizer with nitrapyrin on total chlorophyll content, grain protein, yield and yield components of two wheat cultivars, an experiment was conducted in form of split factorial in randomized complete blocks with three replications in the Research farm Nuclear Science and Technology in 2017-2018. Experimental treatments included conventional and minimum tillage, fertilizer treatment at three levels of 0, 150 kg urea ha-1 and 150 kg urea ha-1 + nitrapyrin and wheat cultivars (Arg and Omidbakhsh). Tillage systems were effective on the studied traits and that the highest amount of chlorophyll (5.18 mg.g-1 FW) and leaf area index (3.78) were obtained in minimum and conventional tillage, respectively. The highest grain protein content (170.7%), grain yield (668.3 kg.ha-1) and harvest index (42.51%) were obtained in minimum tillage and 150 kg urea ha-1 fertilizer + nitrapyrin. Application of urea + nitrapyrin increased grain protein, 1000-grain weight and harvest index. Both Arg and Omidbakhsh cultivars obtained the highest plant height (102.16 and 104.66 cm, respectively) and leaf area index (3.88 and 3.98, respectively) in 150 kg urea ha-1 treatment. The three-way interactions of tillage, fertilizer and cultivar also had a significant effect on leaf dry weight, grain yield and biological yield. In minimal tillage, Omidbakhsh cultivar in 150 kg urea ha-1 + nitrapyrin fertilizer treatment showed better grain yield and biological yield than other treatments. According to the obtained results, in minimal plowing conditions, Omidbakhsh cultivar and application of urea + nitrapyrin is recommended.