Yield of Durum Wheat Cultivar Grown under Different Nitrogen Regimes and Rainfed Conditions

Abstract: The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications in two different locations (Kef and Bousselem). The effect of four nitrogen treatments (0, 75, 100, 120 and 140 kg/ha of N) was assessed for Maali durum wheat variety on five agronomic traits: biological yield, grain yield, harvest index, 1000 kernel weight and nitrogen use efficiency. Analysis of variance revealed significant effect (P< 0.01; P< 0.001) of the nitrogen treatments for all studied traits. However, no nitrogen treatment x site interaction was noted. Except for nitrogen use efficiency, both location exhibited significant variation (p<0.01) for all the traits examined. Biological yield, grain yield, harvest index, 1000 kernel weight and nitrogen use efficiency increased with an increase in nitrogen levels. In comparison to kef site, greatest results were obtained in Bousselem site under all nitrogen levels for all measured traits. Maximum average yield (2157.27 kg/ha) and (3013.11 kg /ha) was unregistered under N4 treatment (140 kg/ha) in Kef and Boussalem site respectively. A significant and positive correlation was noted between nitrogen rates and biological yield (r = 0.74**), grain yield (r = 0.66**), harvest index (r = 0.84**) and 1000 kernel weight (r = 0.85**). In this region, it seems that the application of 140 kg/ha of N fertilization lead to great agronomic performance of Maali durum wheat variety.