Response of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Seed Rates on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Irrigated Bread Wheat in the lowlands of Eastern and South Eastern of Oromia, Ethiopia

Alemayehu Biri* 1 , Fikadu Tadesse^2 , Girma Mengistu 3 , Tamiru Meleta 4 , Mengistu Bogale 4 , Urgaya Balcha 5 and Temesgen Dinsa 5

To cite this article : Biri, A., Tadesse, F., Mengistu, G., Meleta, T., Bogale, M., Balcha, U., & Dinsa, T. (2023). Response of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Seed Rates on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Irrigated Bread Wheat in the lowlands of Eastern and South Eastern of Oromia, Ethiopia. Int J Agric Life Sci, 9(3), 403-413. doi:

10.22573/spg.ijals.023.s122000115

To link to this article : https://doi.org/10.22573/spg.ijals.023.s122000115

Copyright : © 2023 Biri, A., et al. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ),which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the Original work is properly cited.

Data Availability Statement : All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files. Funding : The author(s) received no specific funding for this work. Competing Interests : The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Published online: 30 S e p 2023.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Response of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Seed Rates on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Irrigated Bread Wheat in the lowlands of Eastern and South Eastern of Oromia, Ethiopia

Alemayehu Biri* 1, Fikadu Tadesse 2, Girma Mengistu 3, Tamiru Meleta 4, Mengistu Bogale 4, Urgaya Balcha 5 and Temesgen Dinsa 5

2Fadis Agricultural Research Center P.O. Box, 904 Harar, Ethiopia

3Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 81265, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

4Sinana Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 208, Bale Robe, Ethiopia

5Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center, P. O. Box 35, Batu, Ethiopia

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail : alex2hny@gmail.com

Received: 26 Jun 2023/ Revised: 21 July 2023/ Accepted: 22 Aug 2023/ Published: 30 Sep 2023

INTRODUCTION

Agriculture sector is the important component of the country’s economy and continues to be the single largest sector that is acting as a dominant driving for growth and development of the national economy (AGRA, 2018). Agriculture is also the backbone of the Ethiopian economy, and more than 85% of the national growth domestic product of the country is derived from the agricultural sector. Its economy was registered 7.7% growth in 2017/2018, slower than the 10.9% expansion recorded in 2015/2016. This growth was attributed to 12.2% rise in industrial output, 8.8% expansion in the service sector and 3.5% growth in agriculture (NBE, 2018). Crop production is a major contributor to GDP, accounting for approximately 28% of the sub-sectors of agriculture. According to Ejersa (2011), coffee, pulses, oilseeds, potatoes, sugarcane, vegetables and cereals are the principal crops grown in Ethiopia. Among the above-listed types of crops, cereals are the most important food crop which provides daily food calories to the people. But in another production year of 2014/2015, the total grain production reached 270.4 million quintals, of which cereal production accounted for 235.45 million quintals (CSA, 2015). The total grain crops produced during the year 2015/2016 increased by 2.41% from the 2014/2015 total production (CSA, 2016). On the other hand, the report of CSA (2018, 2019) indicates that the total cereal production of wheat was 267.8 million quintals and 277.7 million quintals in 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 production seasons, respectively. Based on the report, there is a 3.67% change in production between the two production seasons. Wheat is one of the globally produced and marketed cereal crops which covers 15% of the total sowing areas of cereal crops in the world (Kiss, 2011). It is an important industrial and food grain which ranks second among the most important cereal crops in the world after rice and is traded internationally (Asadallah, 2014; Falola et al ., 2017).

In sub-Saharan African countries, wheat is also a strategic commodity that generates farm income and improves food security status (Amentae et al., 2017; Minot et al ., 2015; Negassa et al ., 2013). Many African countries are producing wheat for both consumption and sale, but the level of production and sale is varied between countries. Ethiopia is one of the largest wheat producers in terms of total wheat area cultivated and total production (CSA, 2012). Wheat and wheat products represent 14% of the total calorie intake in the country which makes wheat the second-most important food behind maize (19%) and ahead of tef (10%), sorghum (11%), and enset (12%) (FAO, 2014). In Ethiopia, wheat ranks fourth after tef, maize and sorghum in area coverage and third after maize and tef in total production (CSA, 2012; Minot et al., 2015). But, the production of wheat is tremendous of a subsistence nature and dominated by the country’s numerous smallholder farmers that cultivate more of wheat for consumption and less of it for the market (Matouš et al ., 2013). Wheat is one of the strategic crops in Ethiopia, because of its role in food security, import substitution and supply of raw material for the agro-processing industry. Wheat is one of the major cereal crops produced by 4.6 million smallholder farmers on 1.8 million hectares of land with an estimated annual production of 5.0 million tons at an average productivity of 2.8 t/ha which has been consistently increasing for the last 25 years, but much lower than the world average 3.3 t/ha. Despite the recent production increment, Ethiopia falls short of being self-sufficient in wheat production and continually remains a net importer of about 1.7 million tons of wheat severity of the problems predominate the frequently water-logged soils of high land vertisols and only producing in the main season(Tekalign et al. , 1988; Syers et al ., 2001). Unlike the rain-fed agro-ecologies, off-season irrigated wheat is constrained mainly by inadequate number of wheat varieties and a lack of knowledge in wheat irrigation technologies.

However, the irrigated wheat production technologies are not yet well introduced in Oromia. There is significant potential to further increase irrigated wheat production in Oromia with optimal agronomic management. Research in dryland cropping systems has proven the positive impact of tailoring agronomic management to specific-varieties and geographical locations has on grain yield and grain quality. However, dryland varietal recommendations and variety specific agronomic packages are not necessarily valid in irrigated cropping systems thus there is a requirement for further research in irrigated farming systems. Irrigated wheat production systems have evolved over recent years with the identification of agronomic management practices tailored to varieties (Lacy & Giblin, 2006). Irrigated wheat yields are primarily determined by how well the crop’s requirements for growth are met and yield-reducing factors such as poor plant nutrition and seed rate are minimized. Crop inputs and management that can affect grain yield, grain quality and lodging include varietal selection, plant population, sowing date, irrigation frequency, grazing management, fungicide application, plant growth regulators, nitrogen rate and timing of nitrogen application (Lacy & Giblin 2006).

However, irrigated wheat growers in Oromia commonly yield less than the potential yield and continued research is required to fine-tune crop management recommendations to assist growers to achieve a higher target yield. The main factors responsible for low yield are less or more plant population and inadequate crop nutrition. Plant density is a major factor determining the ability of the crop to capture resources and generate yield. It can be developed by using a suitable seeding rate. Growth and yield of wheat are affected by environmental conditions and can be regulated by sowing time and seeding rate (Ozturk et al ., 2005). As the plant density increases, the competition for resources especially for nitrogen also increases that badly affects the ultimate yield. Numerous studies have documented how N fertilization (Campillo et al ., 2010; Hirzel et al ., 2010; Zecevic et al., 2010; Nikolic et al., 2012), seeding rate, planting date, row spacing, and seeding depth affect yield and yield components of wheat (Kristó et al., 2007; Maric et al ., 2008; Otteson et al., 2008; Valério et al., 2009). Therefore, the provision of additional nitrogen can be hypothesized to further enhance the yield by increasing plant population but up to an optimum level. Further, higher nitrogen can lead to the lodging of plants at a higher seed rate (Nazir et al., 2000). Nitrogen occupies a conspicuous place in plant metabolism.

All vital processes in plant are associated with protein, of which nitrogen is an essential constituent. Proper use of nitrogen is also considered for farm profitability and environmental protection (Makowski et al., 1999). Reports indicated that appropriate level of nitrogen application has increased wheat yield significantly (Gwal et al ., 1999; Ali et al., 2000). Among all the essential nutrients applied in the field, nitrogen is the most important for vegetative crop growth, plant productivity and grain quality (Frink et al., 1999). As appropriate nitrogen level and seeding rate are very limiting factors, the current research was conducted to determine appropriate nitrogen levels and seeding rates for optimum grain yield of wheat under irrigation in lowlands of Oromia. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to investigate the optimum nitrogen and seed rates for better growth, yield and yield components of irrigated wheat in lowland areas of Oromia

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Description of the study area

The experiment was conducted in five locations of Oromia Regional state in three zones, Bale (Dalomena and Sawena districts), East Shewa (AdamiTulu and Lume districts) and East Hararghe (Bedeno district) in 2020/2021 off-season to investigate the response of nitrogen and seeding rates on the growth, yield and yield components of bread wheat variety under irrigation. The locations, altitudes, climate and major crops grown in the study area are described below table.

Table 1. Agro-ecology profile of the study area

Description of the Experimental Materials

Bread wheat variety “Kakaba” was used as a test crop. The variety has been released by kulumsa Agricultural Research Center in 2010. It is an early maturing cultivar which is suited at an altitude ranging from 1500-2200m with a rainfall amount ranges from 500-800 mm. It requires 90-120 days to mature with a yield potential of 3300-5200 kg/ha under experimental field and 2500-4700 kg/ha at farmer’s management. Phosphate fertilizer in the form of NPS was applied at sowing at a rate of 100 kg h -1 a NPS (19% N, 38% P 2O 5 and 7% S) which was uniformly applied to all experimental plots except zero plot and different rates of Urea (46% N) as a source of nitrogen with different types of seed rates were used.

Treatments and experimental design

The treatments consisted of five N rates 0, 23, 46, 69, 92 kg ha -1 N and three seed rates (125, 150 and 175 kg ha -1 ) were used. The experiment was laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times per treatment. Plants were spaced at 0.5, 1 and 2 m between ridge rows, plots and blocks, respectively (MoARD, 2010). The gross experimental area was 39m x 31m and net area of 37m × 29m in a plot size of (3m × 5m = 15 m 2) with ridge to ridge distance of 50 cm having six ridges rows. The experimental field was ploughed and harrowed by a tractor and oxen to bring the soil to fine tilth. The plots were laid out as per plan and levelled by oxen. An irrigation channel of 1 m wide was laid in between the replications to irrigation of individual plots independently and equally until the crop grew up to the maturity stage. Nitrogen was applied to the plants in splits, 1/3 at sowing and 2/3 at tillering. All the experimental plots were irrigated uniformly commencing at planting in 8-10 days interval and all the crop protection mechanisms were applied until the wheat crop reaches physiological maturity.

Soil Sampling and Analysis

Initial representative soil samples were collected from a depth of 0-30 cm from the entire plot in a zigzag pattern according to standard method. The sample was air dried, ground, sieved through a 2 mm sieve and used for the analysis of soil. Soil samples after harvest of the crops were collected from a depth of 0-30 cm from all plots except the control and the physico- chemical properties of the prepared samples were analyzed at Bedele research center of soil test laboratory. Soil texture was determined by the Bouyoucons Hydrometer method and the soil pH was determined in 1:2.5, soil water suspension by glass electrode using a digital pH meter (Piper, 1966). Estimation of organic carbon in soil was determined by Walkley and Black method (1934) and expressed in percentage. The total nitrogen content of soil samples was determined by the Modified Kjeldahl method and expressed in percentage (Jackson, 1962). Available phosphorus content of soil samples was estimated by Olsen’s method (Jackson, 1967) and expressed in ppm. Exchangeable potassium was estimated by a flame photometer from the extract of neutral normal ammonium acetate (Jackson, 1967) and expressed in cmol (+)/kg soil. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

Phenological and growth parameters

Days to heading (DH): The number of days from sowing up to a date when 50% of the plants in a plot had produced spikes was recorded in plot basis. Days to maturity (DM): The number of days from sowing to physiological maturity of the plants became 85% mature in each plot and the crop stands; stems, leaves and floral bracts changed to light yellow color was recorded on plot basis

Plant Height (cm): Plant height was measured from the soil surface to the tip of a spike (awns excluded) randomly taken 5 plants each from plot area at physiological maturity.

Number of total tillers per plant (TT) : The total tiller populations were recorded from five randomly taken samples using 1m 2 quadrants in each plot and converted to plot basis before the time of heading.

Number of productive tillers per plant (ET) : The total Effective tiller populations were recorded from five randomly taken samples using 1m 2 quadrants in each plot and converted to plot basis after heading.

Spike length (SL): The main spikes from twenty sampled plants of each plot were measured in cm and averaged to represent the spike length in cm. Yield and yield components

Number of Seed per Spike: The mean number of kernels per spike was recorded as an average of 5 randomly taken spikes from the net plot area. Thousand Kernel Weight: Thousand kernels weight was determined based on the weight of 1000 kernels sampled from the grain yield of each net plot by counting using an electronic seed counter and weighed with electronic sensitive balance. Then the weight was adjusted to 12.5% moisture content. Aboveground Dry Biomass Yield: The aboveground dry biomass yield was determined from plants harvested from the net plot area after sun drying to a constant weight and expressed in t ha -1 .

Grain Yield: The grain yield was taken by harvesting and threshing from net plot area. The yield was adjusted to 12.5% moisture content and expressed as yield in t ha -1 .

Harvest Index (HI): The harvest index was calculated as a ratio of grain yield per plot to total above ground dry biomass yield per plot expressed as a percent . Statistical Data Analysis

The collected data were subjected to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) as per the experimental design using R software. The Least Significance Difference (LSD) at 5% level of probability was used to determine differences between treatment means. The economic analysis was carried out by using the methodology described in CIMMYT (1988) in which prevailing market prices for inputs at planting and for outputs at harvesting were used. All costs and benefits were calculated on hectare basis in ETB Birr.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Soil Physico-Chemical Properties of the experimental site before Sowing

The physico-chemical properties of the experimental soil are shown in Table 2. The textural class of the experimental site is sandy loam, loam and sandy clay loam at Adami Tulu, Lume and Bedeno, respectively. Thus, the textural class of the experimental soil is ideal for wheat production (Onwueme and Sinha,

1991). According to the rating of Tekalign Tadesse (1991) the soil reaction (pH) is moderately alkaline at all locations which range 7.63-7.96, but it is within the optimum range for wheat production at all locations. FAO reported that the preferable pH ranges for most crops and productive soils are 4 to 8. Thus, the pH of the experimental soil is almost within the range for productive soils for irrigated wheat production. Organic matter of the soil was low according to the rating of Tekalign Tadesse (1991), Emerson (1991), and Charman and Roper (2007) at all locations except at Bedeno medium/moderate. Hence, amending the soils with organic fertilizers is important for enhancing soil fertility to increase crop yields.

According to Cottenie (1980), available P content below 5 mg/kg is very low; between 5 and 9 mg/kg is low; between 10 and 17 mg/kg is medium; between 18 and 25 mg/kg is high and greater than 25 mg/kg is very high. Therefore, the available P content of the experimental site was very low at all location except at Lume low and at Adami Tulu was medium. According to the rating of Tekalign Tadesse (1991), the total N content of the soil was very low at Delo Mena and low at Bedeno, which would limit wheat production. Therefore, the soils need amendment with nitrogen and/or organic fertilizers. With regards to the exchangeable potassium, Berhanu (1980) described soils, <0.26, 0.26 - 0.51, 0.51 - 0.77 and > 0.77 as very low, low, medium, and high, respectively. Thus, the exchangeable K of the experimental soil is very high at Adami Tulu and Lume. According to FAO (2006), exchangeable Ca content was very high at all locations, whereas, exchangeable Mg and Na contents were high at Lume and medium at Adami Tulu. CEC of the soil was medium at Adami Tulu, high at Lume and very at Bedeno according to the rating of Berhanu (1980). Although it will produce best on deep, fertile, well-drained loamy soils, it is much more tolerant of shallow soil and it can be grown successfully on clay, clay loam, or sandy loam soils (Mandefro et al, .2009). Therefore, the soil of the experimental site is ideal for irrigated wheat production except its limitation in the availability of phosphorus, total nitrogen, and organic carbon.

Soil Physico-Chemical Properties of the experimental site after harvest

The mean values of physicochemical properties of soil, after harvesting, shows particle size distribution of the surface layers of the experimental field was dominated by sandy(58.3%), clay fraction (8.7%), 33% silt at Adami Tulu and sandy (29.9%), clay fraction (26.3%), 48.3% silt at Lume and categorized as sandy loam and silt loam, respectively. The proportion of soil particle size after harvesting wheat differs from before sowing, sandy particle increased from 29.5 to 58.3%, while clay soil and silt fraction of the soil decreased at Adami Tulu ,whereas, in all soil particle size decreased in small amounts at Lume (Table 3). The average soil pH after harvesting was 7.7 and 7.9 at Adami Tulu and Lume, respectively, indicated that moderately basic reaction, which is within the range for productive soils (Charman and Roper, 2007). The average organic matter content of the soil after harvest was 0.18, 0.19, 1.5, and 2.2 at Adami Tulu, Lume Dalo Mena and Sawena, respectively (Table 3). The average total nitrogen percentage of the soil after harvest was 0.07, 0.1 at Dalo Mena and Sawena, respectively (Table 3). The results indicated that the nitrogen and organic matter contents were improved numerically and described as medium accordingly. The available phosphorus content of the experimental area after harvest was 14.3, 8.8, 2.5, 3.3 ppm at Adami Tulu, Lume, Dalo Mena and Sawena, respectively, which indicates an improvement to medium level at Adami Tulu and Lume and improved numerically but at low level at Delo Mena and Sawena.

Phenological and growth parameters

Days to heading

The analysis of variance revealed that the main effects of nitrogen and seed rates significantly (P < 0.01) influenced days to 50% heading of irrigated wheat. Similarly, the combined mean effects of nitrogen and seed rates significantly (P < 0.05) influenced days to 50% heading of irrigated wheat across all locations (Table 4). Thus, increasing the rate of nitrogen prolonged the days required for 50% heading across all the increased rates of seed. As indicated in table 4, the most prolonged duration (60 days) to reach 50% heading was observed in response to the combined mean 46 kg N ha -1 + 175 kg ha -1 seed rate. However, the minimum duration of 50% heading was observed in the control treatments (Table 4). Thus, plants grown in the treatment that received the higher combined rates of the seed with medium level of nitrogen had delayed heading by about 5% in days compared to plants grown at nill rates of the nitrogen fertilizer. This may be attributed to the effects of the N fertilizer in promoting cell growth and prolonging vegetative growth. The earlier days to 50% heading with a higher seeding rate (150 and 175 kg ha -1 ) with nil N fertilizer might be due to higher competition for resources like nutrient, water, light and others, this helps plants to escape final stress (Table 4). The present result was in agreement with the research result of Manna et al. (2005) who reported that application of N fertilizer promoted vegetative growth, leading to prolonged days to heading. Similar to the present results, Mulatu and Grando (2011) reported that day to 50% heading was significantly delayed by higher seeding and nitrogen rates compared to the highest seed rate with by increasing N levels from nil on production of food barley.

Days to maturity

The analysis of variance showed that the main effects of nitrogen and seed rates significantly (P < 0.05) influenced days to 90% physiological maturity of irrigated wheat. Similarly, the combined effect of nitrogen and seed rates significantly (P < 0.05) affected days to 90% physiological maturity of irrigated wheat across all locations (Table 4). The results showed that wheat plants that received 46 kg N ha -1 + 175 kg ha -1 seed rate and 92kg N ha -1 + 175 kg ha -1 seed rate required 3% more duration to reach 90% physiological maturity than irrigated wheat plants grown in the control plots, respectively (Table 4). However, the control treatment with seed rates led the irrigated wheat plants to the earlier attainment of 90% physiological maturity as compared to 46 and 92 kg ha N -1

Table 2: Soil laboratory analysis result for irrigated wheat experiment site before planting

Site

pH TN Av.p CEC Na K Ca Mg OM Sand Silt Clay Class

Adami Tulu 7.78 - 13.56 19.39 1.95 2.30 13.6 0.85 0.2484 29.5 61 9.5 Sandy loam

Lume 7.96 - 8.93 37.63 7.31 2.10 22.1 5.1 0.1656 30 44.5 25.5 Loam

Delo Mena 7.36 0.034 2.402 - - - - - 0.687 - - - -

Sawena 7.63 0.075 1.873 - - - - - 1.494 - - - -

Table 3: Soil laboratory analysis result for irrigated wheat experiment site after harvest

Site Treatments

0Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.48 -- 14.62 18.43 2.06 2.30 10.2 1.7 0.17 61.5 31 7.5 Sandy loam

23Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.64 -- 14.17 18.82 2.00 2.32 10.2 3.4 0.17 59.5 33 7.5 Sandy loam

46Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seedrates(125,150,175) 7.75 -- 14.23 17.28 2.02 2.34 10.2 2.55 0.22 57.5 33 9.5 Sandy loam

69Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.76 -- 14.75 18.24 2.00 2.36 11.9 1.7 0.19 55.5 35 9.5 Sandy loam

92Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.74 -- 13.56 18.62 1.97 2.32 11.9 3.4 0.14 57.5 33 9.5 Sandy loam

0Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.98 -- 12.22 34.56 7.90 2.19 20.4 3.4 0.19 25.5 53 21.5 Silt loam

23Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 8.22 -- 8.16 39.94 8.48 2.21 25.5 3.4 0.19 31.5 31 37.5 Clay loam

46Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.88 -- 9.18 35.71 5.19 1.97 20.4 6.8 0.19 31.5 49 19.5 Loam

69Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.85 -- 7.14 38.02 5.34 1.95 28.5 1,7 0.17 31.5 39 29.5 Clay loam

92Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.99 -- 7.23 34.37 6.64 2.07 23.8 1.7 0.19 29.5 47 23.5 Loam

0Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.39 0.069 1.66 1.38

23Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.27 0.073 1.92 1.48

46Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.26 0.068 4.14 1.37

69Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 6.94 0.083 3.00 1.67

92Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.24 0.076 1.98 1.52

0Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.13 0.073 2.19 2.19

23Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 6.87 0.110 2.84 2.20

46Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.10 0.110 3.84 2.15

69Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 7.02 0.110 2.85 2.28

92Kg N ha -1 with d/t Seed rates(125,150,175) 6.91 0.110 4.80 2.22

Key words: Om= Organic matter, EC= Electro conductivity, Exch. Na, Ca, Mg & K= Exchangeable sodium, calcium, magnesium and Potassium, Av.p = Available Phosphorus, CEC= Cation Exchangeable Capacity, TN= Total nitrogen Plant height

The result revealed that the main effect of nitrogen and seed rate significantly (P < 0.05) did not influenced plant height. However, the combined mean effect of the two factors significantly (P < 0.01) influenced irrigated wheat plant height across all locations (Table 4). The tallest plants (73.3 cm) were observed at seeding rate of 175 kg ha -1 + 46 kg N ha -1 rate constantly increased followed by 73.2cm at seeding rate of 69 kg N ha -1 + 92 kg N ha -1 while the smallest plants (68.9cm) were recorded at seeding rate of 125kg ha -1 +0kg N ha -1 but there was statistically not significantly different within all treatments across the multi-locations (Table 4). Chandra et al . (1992) concluded that plant height increased significantly by increasing nitrogen levels. The results indicated that increased nitrogen application had pronounced effect on increasing vegetative growth of crop pants. These results coincide with the findings of Rahel and Fekadu (2016) and Amare (2017) who reported that an increase in seeding rate could result in reduced plant height of bread wheat. Bungard et al. (2002) stated that nitrogen is a constituent of many fundamental cell components and it plays a vital role in all living tissues of the plant. They reported that increase in height could be attributed to its involvement as building blocks in the synthesis of amino acids, as they link together and form proteins and make up metabolic processes required for plant growth. No other element has such an effect on promoting vigorous plant growth than nitrogen. This indicated that nitrogen played a more prominent role in increasing plant height than the other fertilizers (Zeidan et al ., 2006).

Tiller per plant

Neither the main effects nor the combined mean effects of nitrogen and seeding rate had a significant influence on total tiller per plant and productive tiller per plant of irrigated wheat across all locations (Table 4).

Spike Length (cm)

The main effect of nitrogen rate as well as the combined mean effect of the two factors significantly (P < 0.05) influenced spike length, whereas, the main effect of the seeding rate did not influence this parameter of the crop plant (Table 4). Maximum spike length (8.38cm) was observed at seeding rate of 150 kg ha -1 + 23 kg N ha -1 followed by at seeding rate 175kg ha -1 + 46kg N ha -1 (8.35cm) and at seeding rate 150kg ha -1 + 92 kg N ha -1 (8.31cm), while minimum spike length (7.55cm) was recorded at seeding rate of 125 kg ha -1 + 23 kg N ha -1 (Table 4). These results are in agreement with those of Hussain et al . (2001) and Ahmad et al. (2000) reported that the spike length of wheat was increased significantly with increasing nitrogen levels and the seeding rate increased spike length of food barley at optimum level.

Grain per spike

The results indicated that the main effect of seed rate and nitrogen rate did not significantly (P < 0.05) influenced seed spike 1. However, the combined mean effect of the two factors significantly (P < 0.01) influenced irrigated wheat seed spike 1 across all locations (Table 5). Maximum (52.58) seed spike 1were observed at seeding rate of 175 kg ha -1 +0kg N ha -1 followed by 47.56 at the rate of 125kg ha -1 seed rate +92 kg N ha -1 and 45.31 at the rate of 150kg ha -1 +0kg ha -1 N, while minimum number of seed spike -1 (41.03) were recorded at the rate of 150 kg ha -1 seed rate+ 23 kg N ha -1 rate though there was statistically not significant differences recorded in all treatments across the location (Table 5). Similar results were also reported by Marwat et al., (1989), who reported that higher seed rates produced significant decrease in the number of grains spike 1and similar studies were also reported in agreement with Ibrar. (1999) and Geleto et al., (1995), who reported that grains spike -1 increased at 120 kg N ha -1 .

Table 4: Combined mean effect of seed and nitrogen rates on phenological and growth traits of irrigated wheat in lowlands of Oromia Seed Nitrogen Days to Days to Plant Height Total Tillers Productive Spike

125 0 57.3 ef 101.4 c 68.92 ab 7.00 6.00 7.59 bc

125 23 57.3 ef 101.7 c 70.73 ab 8.00 7.00 8.38 a

125 46 57.3 ef 103.1 bc 73.12 a 8.00 7.00 8.02 abc

125 69 58.7 bcd 102.7 bc 71.42 ab 8.00 7.00 8.15 ab

125 92 57.6 def 102.5 bc 72.55 ab 7.00 7.00 8.31 a

150 0 57.1 f 101.7 c 70.62 ab 7.00 6.00 8.06 abc

150 23 57.1 f 101.4 c 66.89 b 8.00 7.00 7.55 c

150 46 59.5 ab 103.7 ab 70.64 ab 7.00 6.00 8.07 abc

150 69 58.4 b-e 103.9 ab 71.16 ab 7.00 6.00 8.07 abc

150 92 59.1 abc 104.0 ab 73.23 a 7.00 6.00 8.21 a

175 0 57.8 c-f 101.7 c 69.09 ab 8.00 7.00 7.62 bc

175 23 57.7 def 101.7 c 70.19 ab 7.00 6.00 8.13 ab

175 46 60.3 a 105.7 a 73.32 a 7.00 6.00 8.35 a

175 69 59.1 abc 102.7 bc 70.05 ab 7.00 6.00 8.24 a

LSD(p<0.05) 1.32 1.88 7.26 NS NS 0.56

Means followed by the same letter(s) for the same parameter are not significantly different from each other at 5% level of significance. 1000 grain weight (g)

Neither the main effects nor the combined mean effects of nitrogen and seeding rate had no significant influence on the 1000 grain weight of the wheat across all location (Table 5).

Biological yield (t ha 1)

The main effects of nitrogen and seed rates significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the biological yield (t ha -1 ) of irrigated wheat across all locations (Table). Similarly, the combined effect of nitrogen and seed rates significantly (P < 0.05) affected biological yield (t ha -1 ) of irrigated wheat (Table 5). The highest biological yield (8.75 t ha 1) was obtained at seed rate of 175kg ha -1 +69 kg ha -1 N rate, though no significant differences (8.40 ha -1 ) was recorded with rate of 125 kg ha -1 seed rate + 69kg N ha -1 rate, while lowest biological yield was recorded at the rate of 125kg ha -1 seed rate + 0 kg ha -1 N rate. However, no significant variations were observed among treatments across locations (Table 5). Biological yield represents the overall growth performance of the plant as well as the crop and is considered to be the essential yield parameter to get useful information about the overall growth of the crop of wheat. The increase in biological yield with an increase in nitrogen levels may be due to the effect of nitrogen on the vegetative growth of wheat as well as an increase in tillers number with higher rates of nitrogen. In addition, high seeding rates might also increase early dry matter accumulation and weed competitiveness, this report was agreed with (Park et al ., 2003). Increased in biomass production might be attributed to the increased plant population due to a higher seeding rate with better nitrogen application. These results are in agreement with Islam et al., (2002), Mojiri and Arzani (2003) and Soylu et al ., (2005). Otteson et al. (2007) found that biological yield was increased by increasing nitrogen up to optimum levels which is may be due to encouragement of vegetative growth by the application of high N fertilizer (Albert et al., 2005). Nayyar et al. (1992) obtained the highest biological yield at higher seeding rate of 100 kg/ha.These results are in agreement with Marwat et al., (1989), Ghaffar and Shahidullah (1987) stated that the increase in biological yield with higher seed rate might be due to more number of plants per unit area, though with reduced tillers.

Grain yield (t ha -1 )

The analysis of variance revealed that the main effects of nitrogen and seed rates significantly (P < 0.01) influenced grain yield (t ha -1 ) of irrigated wheat across all locations. Similarly, the combined mean effect of nitrogen and seed rates significantly (P < 0.05) affected grain yield (t ha -1 ) of irrigated wheat (Table

5). The highest grain yield (4.09 t ha 1) was obtained at the seed rate of 125kg ha -1 + 69 kg N ha -1 rate, though no significant differences (4.01 t ha 1) was recorded with rate of 150 kg ha -1 seed + 92kg N ha -1 rate and (3.97 t ha 1) at the rate of 175 kg ha -1 seed rate +92 kg N ha -1 rate, While, the lowest grain yield was recorded at 125kg ha -1 seed rate + 0 kg ha -1 N rate. The result indicated that seed rate could affect the grain yield of irrigated wheat. The increase in yield of the irrigated wheat with increasing N rates up to an adequate level might be due to the role of N in increasing the leaf area and promoting photosynthesis efficiency which promote dry matter production and increase yield. These results are in agreement with Chatta et al . (1986), Ibrar (1999), Hameed et al. (2003) and Ijaz et al . (2003), who reported that grain yield of bread wheat increased as seed rate increased. In line with this, improvements in wheat yield and its components under the acceptable increasing N rates were reported by Sticksel et al . (2000).

Table 5: Combined mean effect of seed and nitrogen rates on yield and yield components Seed Nitrogen Grain 1000grain Biological Grain yield Harvest

125 0 43.02 b 35.88 6.23 e 3.01 f 47.39 ab

125 23 43.02 b 35.05 7.61 a-d 3.52 bcd 46.13 ab

125 46 44.88 b 35.41 7.702 a-d 3.78 abc 48.60 ab

125 69 45.30 ab 35.98 8.40 ab 4.09 a 49.65 a

125 92 47.55 ab

150 0 43.46 b

150 23 41.03 b 35.79 7.21 b-e 3.38 c-f 48.15 ab

150 46 41.52 b 36.88 7.51 a-e 3.48 b-e 45.95 ab

150 69 43.19 b 35.88 8.11 ab 3.82 ab 46.64 ab

150 92 43.00 b 35.94 7.98 ab 4.01 a 50.33 a

175 0 52.58 a 36.17 6.46 de 3.05 ef 46.64 ab

175 23 42.06 b 35.04 7.31 b-e 3.33 def 46.48 ab

175 46 45.10 b 35.13 7.93 abc 3.74 a-d 47.01 ab

175 69 42.30 b 35.69 8.75 a 3.83 ab 44.24 b

LSD(p<0.05) 7.31 NS 1.37 0.43 5.29

Means followed by the same letter(s) for the same parameter are not significantly different from each other at 5% level of significance

Harvest Index (%)

The analysis of variance indicated the main effects of nitrogen and seed rates significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the harvest index (%) of irrigated wheat across all locations. Similarly, the combined effect of nitrogen and seed rates significantly (P < 0.05) affected harvest index (%) of irrigated wheat (Table 5). Maximum harvest index (50.33) was obtained at seed and N rate of 150 kg ha -1 + 92 kg N ha -1 rate, respectively. However, no significant variation was observed in all treatments except for the rate of 175 kg ha -1 seed + 92kg N ha -1 that records minimum harvest index (Table 5). The capacity of a crop to convert the dry matter into economic yield is indicated by its harvest index. The higher the harvest index value, the greater the physiological potential of the crop for the converting dry matter to grain yield. The result might indicated increased seed rate at optimum and increased the N rate might increase harvest index (%) which was supported by the findings of Singh et al. ( 2002) which reported that an increase in nitrogen level increased harvest index. The result that was recorded as there was no significant differences in all treatments could be due to partitioning of the total nitrogen content more to the vegetative part of the crop than to the grain and increased the total aboveground biomass yield with the application of nitrogen. Economic analysis

The partial budget analysis for means of treatment was assessed, and data presented in the table (6) indicated that the economic analysis of wheat as affected by various levels of seed rates and N fertilizer. The data revealed that the maximum net benefit (90532.23 ETB) with acceptable marginal rate of return (MRR %) 870.3% was attained when 150 N kg.ha -1 that was planted with 125 kg.ha -1 of seed rate of wheat. However, the lowest net income (66593.35 ETB), was obtained from the control plots received null N fertilizer application with seed rate of 175kg ha -1 . Thus, 69 kg·N·ha −1 which was sown at the 125 kg·ha −1 seed rate is the best rate and economically feasible for irrigated bread wheat production in Eastern and south eastern lowlands of Oromia, Ethiopia. Table 6. Economic analysis of wheat as affected by various seed rates and different N levels

125 0 3010 2709 11103 78100.47 66997.47

125 23 3520 3168 13932 91333.44 77401.44 367.76

125 46 3780 3402 14762 98079.66 83317.66 712.79

125 69 4090 3681 15591 106123.23 90532.23 870.27

125 92 3920 3528 16421 101712.24 85291.24 D

150 0 3070 2763 11824 79657.29 67833.29

150 23 3380 3042 14653 87700.86 73047.86 184.33

150 46 3480 3132 15483 90295.56 74812.56 212.61

150 69 3820 3438 16412 99117.54 82705.54 849.62

150 92 4010 3609 17142 104047.47 86905.47 575.33

175 0 3050 2745 12545 79138.35 66593.35 D

175 23 3330 2997 15374 86403.51 71029.51

175 46 3740 3366 16504 97041.78 80537.78 841.44

175 69 3830 3447 17033 99377.01 82344.01 181.69

Key: SD= seed rate kg/ha Ur= Urea rate kg/ha, MGY= mean Grain Yield kg/ha, Adj.GY= Adjusted Grain yield by 10 %, GB= Gross benefit NB= Net benefit, DA= Dominance Analysis, D= Dominated treatment, MRR=Marginal Rate of Return

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Dryland variety-specific agronomic packages are not necessarily valid in irrigated cropping systems. Thus, there is a need for further research in irrigated farming systems. Irrigated wheat yields are primarily determined by how well the crop’s requirements for growth are met and yield-reducing factors such as poor plant nutrition and seed rate are minimized. The analytical results of the experimental soil indicated that the soil textural class is sandy loam at Adami Tulu, silt loam at Lume and sandy clay loam at Bedeno. The soil was moderately alkaline, low in organic carbon, low in available P and low in total N. The most prolonged duration to reach 50% flowering and heading was observed in response to the combined mean effect of 46 kg N ha -1 with 175 kg ha -1 seed rate. Plant height was significantly altered by the combined mean effects of N and seed rate with maximum response at 46 kg N ha -1 with a seeding rate of 175 kg ha -1 . Neither the main effects nor the combined mean effects of nitrogen and seeding rate had a significant influence on total tiller per plant, productive tiller per plant and thousand grain weight of irrigated wheat across all locations. The Maximum spike length was observed at a seeding rate of 69 kg ha -1 with 23 kg N ha -1 whereas the optimum seed per spike was obtained at seeding rate of 175 kg ha -1 with 0 kg ha- 1 N rate. The highest grain yield, harvest index and optimal biological yield were obtained at the seeding rate of 125kg ha -1 with 69 kg N ha -1 rate across multi-locations. The results generally showed that application of nitrogen at the rate 69 N kg ha -1 with a seeding rate of 125kg ha -1 proved to be optimum for higher grain yield of irrigated wheat in lowland areas of Oromia. There was no need to increase nitrogen application rates and seeding rate beyond this one since both growth and yield did not improve with further increases in the rate of the fertilizer and seed. The economic analysis revealed that for a treatment to be considered worthwhile to farmers (100% marginal rate of return), application of 69 kg N ha -1 with 125kg ha -1 seed rate N are economically feasible and recommended for farmers in the study area and similar agro-ecologies. In conclusion, the application of 69 kg ha -1 N rate and 125kg ha -1 seed rate resulted in the best results in terms of plant growth and yields for irrigated wheat production in the study areas.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to Oromia Agricultural Research Institute for allocating required budget and technical support. The authors would also like to extend their gratitude to all staff members of Sinana, Fadis and Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center for their assistance in setting up, planting, collecting the data, and maintaining the field experiments. All the stakeholders and irrigated wheat technical committee involved in LSD were also acknowledged.

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