EFFECTS OF NITROGEN RATE ON PERFORMANCE OF WHEAT (Triticum aestivum) IN JALINGO, TARABA STATE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in the 2017 and 2018 dry 
seasons at the Taraba State College of Agriculture, Department 
of Crop Science Irrigation Research Farm-Nukkai in Jalingo to 
investigate the response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) 
varieties to nitrogen rate. The experiments were laid out in a 
split-plot design with seven nitrogen rates (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 
-1 150, and 180 kg N ha ) assigned to the main plot and three 
wheat varieties, Cettia, Lifen, Reyna-28 assigned to the subplot. 
The treatments were replicated three times. The subplot size 2 was 3 m x 2 m (6 m ) but this paper focuses on nitrogen rate only. Data were collected on percentage seedlings establishment count, number of fertile tillers, Plant height, -2 -1 number of spikes m , number of spikelets spike , number of -1 grains spike , weight of 1000 grain weight, grain yield and harvest index. All the data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) procedure. The results revealed that nitrogen fertilization had a significant effect (P<0.05) on wheat yield and yield components but percentage seedlings establishment count remained unaffected at varying -1 nitrogen rates. Plant height was best at 180 kg N ha while fertile tillers, all the yield characters, and final grain yield -1 performed best at 120 kg N ha . In conclusion, a Nitrogen rate -1 of 120 kg N ha proved to be the best rate for higher grain yield. A nitrogen rate of 120 kg ha is recommended for irrigated wheat production in the study area however, the addition of 180 kg N 1 ha- should be used for animal pasture production in the area.