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Leaf Nitrogen, Based on SPAD Chlorophyll Reading Can Determine Agronomic Parameters of Winter Wheat

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Abstract

Applying appropriate nitrogen (N) rates is a big challenge to farmers when they need to earn maximum yield along with lowering leached N. It is hard to synchronize soil N availability with crop N needs due to the variation of weather conditions and its effects on crop growth. In this respect, the SPAD chlorophyll meter has been used extensively to analyze rapidly leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen status. However, it has not been established how the SPAD readings are correlated with wheat grain yield and growth under variable field and weather conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the relationship between SPAD chlorophyll readings and leaf N status along with other agronomic parameters like yield and leaf area index. Two-year field experiments were carried out in 2015–2016 and 2016–2017. Variable alternate furrow irrigation (VAFI) and ordinary furrow irrigation (OFI) were the irrigation strategies, and in-furrow planting (IFP) and on-ridge planting (ORP) defined the planting methods. Three N application rates at 0, 150, and 300 kg N ha−1 indicated N variation. Results indicated that spring cold had negative effects on SPAD readings and especially leaf N concentration in the first year. The SPAD values were homogeneous in the second year with favorable weather conditions, and it was classified in three intervals 28–35, 35–45, and 45–50 in non-fertilized, 150 kg N ha−1 and 300 kg N ha−1, respectively. Since the grain yield was similar in 150 kg N ha−1 and 300 kg N ha−1, the values of SPAD readings at 40–45 could be appropriate values for producing optimum wheat growth and grain yield. However, higher grain protein concentration might need higher leaf N concentration and subsequently higher SPAD values. Leaf N concentration positively correlated with SPAD values (R2 = 0.64). Linear relationships between grain yield and grain N% and SPAD readings showed higher accuracy in the second year (R2 = 0.71 and 0.79, respectively). Moreover, relative yield and SPAD readings resulted in a higher accurate model than the absolute values. Therefore, using this model, chlorophyll meter reading can be used by farmers as an alternative complementary tool for predicting crop N status and obtaining higher wheat grain yield.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by a research project funded by Grant no. 99-GR-AGR 42 of Shiraz University Research Council, Drought Research Center, the Center of Excellent for On-Farm Water Management, and Iran National Science Foundation (INSF).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Irrigation Department, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran

    Fatemeh Mehrabi & Ali Reza Sepaskhah

  2. Drought Research Center, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran

    Ali Reza Sepaskhah

Authors
  1. Fatemeh Mehrabi
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  2. Ali Reza Sepaskhah
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Contributions

FM as Ph.D. student, conducted the research in field, analyzed data and prepared the first draft of manuscript. ARS as Dissertation Supervisor, planned the research project, supervised the experiment, controlled the data and analysis and edited the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ali Reza Sepaskhah.

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Mehrabi, F., Sepaskhah, A.R. Leaf Nitrogen, Based on SPAD Chlorophyll Reading Can Determine Agronomic Parameters of Winter Wheat. Int. J. Plant Prod. 16, 77–91 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42106-021-00172-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42106-021-00172-2

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