Sustainable spelt wheat nutrition in extreme weather conditions

Abstract

In 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, a two-year field trial was carried out in Martonvásár, Hungary to investigate the effects of organic fertilizer (Azoter bacteria, compost, and compost+biophosphate) and various N-fertilizer levels on grain yield, yield components, yield quality parameters, and vitality parameters of three spelt wheat varieties (Mv Martongold, Franckenkorn and Mv Vitalgold) on chernozem soil. There were four replications in the split-plot design of the field experiment. The year had a major impact on grain yield, yield components (spike number, grain number, thousand-kernel weight (TKW) and vitality parameters (LAI, SPAD). Quality parameters (protein content, gluten content and Zeleny sedimentation value) did not change in the control between the two years, but they did in the fertilized plots. Both the 2021 and 2022 early spring seasons were dry, although the 2022 precipitation distribution was better for spelt. For grain yield in 2021 and 2022, the best conventional N-fertilization dosages were 80 kg/ha and 40 kg/ha, respectively. The increased lodging of spelt in 2022 as a result of the higher N-rates (80 and 120 kg/ha) contributed to yield loss. In terms of increasing yield-related features, organic fertilizers at a concentration of 40 kg/ha N appear to be inadequate. On the grain yield and its components, genotype had a significant impact. Franckenkorn produced the highest grain yield, the highest number of spikelets and grains and the highest values for LAImax. In 2021, grain yields of this variety were 17 and 26% higher than those of Mv Martongold and Mv Vitalgold.

Keywords

• n-fertilization
• organic fertilizer
• year effect
• genotype