EFFECT OF MINERAL AND ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF SOME EGYPTIAN AND OMANI WHEAT CULTIVARS

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt during two successive growing seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020. The aims of the experiments were to investigate the effects of mineral and organic fertilizers (1.100% N as mineral fertilizer; 50% N + 50% compost; 50% N + 50% biochar; 50% N + 50% biogas; and 50%N + 50% poultry manure) as soil amendments on yield and grain quality of some Egyptian (Gemmiza 12 and Sakha 95) and Omani (Missani and Cooley) bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties. The treatments were arranged in a spilt-plot design with three replications, where the wheat varieties were occupied in the main plots, while the fertilization treatments were randomly distributed in the sub- plots. The results can be summarized as follows: Egyptian wheat varieties had the highest values of yield and its components and carbohydrates, while the Omani wheat varieties had the highest values of plant height, straw yield/ fed and protein percentage. Application of organic fertilizers (i.e. 50% biogas or 50% poultry manure) in a combination with 50% mineral N had positive effects on yield and quality of wheat. Significant improvements in grain yield and carbohydrate percentage were obtained from Gemmeiza 12 and Sakha 95 varieties when fertilized with 50% mineral N + 50% biogas or 50% mineral N + 50% poultry manure along with 100% mineral N, which were found to be the most optimal combined treatments for maximize wheat grain yields and under the environmental conditions of studies regions (i.e. Menoufia Governorate). While, Missani and Cooley varieties fertilized with 50% mineral N + 50% biogas or 50% mineral N + 50% poultry manure along with 100% mineral N produced the highest plants, straw yield/ fed and protein percentage.