Technical and agronomic efficiency of nitrogen use on the yield and quality of oat grains

Roberto Carbonera,Francine Lautenchleger,Ivan R Carvalho,Laura M Pereira,Rubia D Mantai,José A G Da Silva

doi:10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v25n8p529-537

Abstract

ABSTRACT The efficiency of nitrogen use by oats in association with climatic conditions is fundamental to the development of more sustainable managements with yield and quality. The objectives of this study were to define the agronomic efficiency of nitrogen by the ratio of the dose provided and product obtained, estimate the maximum technical efficiency of the nutrient on grain yield; and for the optimum dose, simulate the expression of the straw and industry yields, protein and total fiber in different conditions of the agricultural year in a soybean/oat system. The study was conducted from 2011 to 2016, in Augusto Pestana, RS, Brazil, in a randomized block design with four repetitions in a 4 x 2 factorial referring to nitrogen doses (0, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha-1) and oat cultivars (Barbarasul and Brisasul) in a soybean/oat system. Nitrogen increased grain, straw, and industry yields and total grain protein, with agronomic efficiency of 7.8, 19.7 and 3.3 kg ha-1 and 0.10 g kg-1, respectively, with reduction of the total fiber in 0.05 g kg-1 per kg of N supplied. The dose of maximum technical efficiency in the expression of grain yield is dependent on the weather conditions during cultivation. In general, the maximum efficiency of grain productivity was obtained with 86 kg ha-1 of N, with linear equations showing increased productivity of straw and industry yield, total protein, and reduction of the fiber content of oat grains by nitrogen use.

Highlights

Inadequate management of N is one of the factors mostly impacting grain yield and quality, thereby making the process unsustainable (Romitti et al, 2017)
The objectives of this study were to define the agronomic efficiency of nitrogen by the ratio of dose provided and product obtained, estimate the maximum technical efficiency of the nutrient on grain yield, and for the optimum dose, simulate the expression of the straw and industry yields, protein and total fiber in different conditions of the agricultural year in a soybean/oat system
Rainfall and mean yield of oat grains presented in Table 1, the years 2011 and 2013 were favorable (FY) to oat cultivation

Summary

Introduction

Inadequate management of N is one of the factors mostly impacting grain yield and quality, thereby making the process unsustainable (Romitti et al, 2017). When applied in small doses, it limits yield, but in high doses, it maximizes yield, it promotes the lodging of plants thereby making harvesting difficult This is accompanied with losses in grain yield and quality, resulting in economic and environmental damage (Marolli et al, 2018). Advances are required in the development of strategies that promote better use of nitrogen in oats, adding efficiency with less environmental impact (Arenhardt et al, 2017). In this perspective, the agronomic efficiency of the input/product ratio obtained and the technical efficiency for estimating the optimal dose of the nutrient, can assist in decision making by promoting more sustainable processes of nitrogen management in oats

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Conclusion