Fertilizer Experiments With Winter Wheat In Western Oregon

Author : Ishwar Prasad Murarka
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 216 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (181 download)

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Download or read book The Effect of Fertilizer Treatments on Nutrient Uptake, Yield, and Quality of Winter Wheat on Selected Western Oregon Soils written by Ishwar Prasad Murarka and published by . This book was released on 1968 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A series of nine experiments designed to evaluate the effects of N, P, and K fertilizers on the production of wheat in western Oregon were seeded in the fall and carried through the 1967 growing season. The experimental sites were selected to represent different soils that are used for production of wheat in western Oregon. The locations also provided a range in yields, nutrient content, test weight and protein content of the three wheat varieties used for the experiments. The soils of the experimental sites included two of the most productive soils in the Willamette valley, Chehalis and Woodburn series, and the Steiwer and Willakenzie series which represent large areas of hill soils in western Oregon. The other selected sites represented the Aloha, Amity, Laurelwood, Newberg and Wapato series. Three wheat varieties, Druchamp, Nugaines and Gaines, were used on the experiments in a completely randomized block design. Treatment combinations of different rates of N, P and K fertilizers were applied on one selected variety of winter wheat at each location. A varietal comparison was included for which an optimum fertilizer treatment was applied to plots of each variety. In the fall a small amount of N plus the P and K fertilizers were banded with the seed at plating time. A spray application of Karmex (3-3,4 dichlorophenyl 1 methoxy 1 methylurea) was applied immediately following seeding except for the Dromgoold site where Karmex was sprayed prior to planting, On some but not all of the plots a spray application of 2, 4 D (2, 4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) was applied in spring to control broadleaf weeds. The major portion of fertilizer was applied in the spring in a broadcast application. The N, P, and K contents of plant tissue at two stages of growth and protein content of the grain were determined in the laboratory. Yield of grain and test weight on samples harvested were obtained on each experimental plot. The data were statistically analyzed, treatment means were compared and tested for relevant information. The application of N increased the yield of grain and the concentration of N, P and K in the plant tissue. The application of Nalso decreased the test weight of the grain and increased protein content of the grain. The application of K produced no major significant changes in any of the variables studied, but P application produced a significant increase in grain yield at one location and somewhat smaller increases in yield at five other locations. Absence of response to P at some locations and K applications at essentially all locations was probably due to the adequate levels of these nutrients in the soil prior to treatment. The present experiments substantiated the previous caliberations for P and K soil analyses. Nugaines was the highest yielding variety in a majority of the experiments when compared with either Gaines or Druchamp. Nugaines also had a significantly greater test weight than Gaines and Druchamp. Druchamp had the highest protein content of the three varieties at all locations where rates of fertilizers were comparable, but the concentration of N in plants of the individual varieties at the jointing stage was lowest for the Druchamp variety at all locations. The climatic conditions in the valley during the growing season of 1967 were unusually mild during winter and drier and warmer than normal during the summer months. These climatic adversities probably resulted in a below average response to the applied fertilizer. Also competition from grass was above average. Stripe and leaf rusts were serious problems throughout western Oregon. These factors created conditions which undoubtedly reduced yields and responses from fertilizer.