Influence of Urea Fertilization with and without Inhibitors on Growth and Yield of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under Different Tillage Practices

Abstract

Nitrogen fertilization is important for plant development. Because of the problems caused by urea, which is mainly used in nitrogen fertilizers, new types of fertilizers have inhibitors, that control the fertile disposal in soil. In addition, tillage practice is important in order to maintain soil productivity and prepare a good seedbed. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of implications of urea fertilizer with and without nitrification (MPA) and urease inhibitor (NBPT), and conventional and no-tillage systems on plant growth and yield of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) crop. A field experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four replications, two main plots (conventional and no-tillage system), and three sub-plots (control, urea with and without nitrification and urease inhibitors). The results indicated that fertilization significantly affected plant height, dry weight, seed yield and number of capitula and the highest values observed with urea with urease inhibitor. Tillage practice influenced the number of capitula and number of seeds per capitulum, and the higher numbers were found under conventional tillage. The findings of the present study imply that urea fertilizer with nitrification and urease inhibitors was very efficient and contributed a notable impact on the plant growth and yield of safflower.