The Behavior of 11 Varieties of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) against Phosphate Fertilizer TSP 46%. Effects on Yield Components

Abstract

The study was conducted at the ITCMI Agricultural Research Station of Oum El Bouaghi during two successive agricultural seasons. The trial set up consists of 11 durum wheat genotypes. The objective was to study the response of these varieties to different inputs of phosphate fertilizer and see their effects on yield components. These components are NEM (Number of ears per square meter), NGE (number of grains per ear), TGW (Thousand grains weight) and Yield. The results indicate that the phosphorus input, in the form of triple superphosphate, allows, at the average dose used in this field trial., 20 kg P2O5.ha-1, to achieve an increase in grain yield between 40 and 60% compared to the phosphorus-free control for all the varieties tested except for the Cirta and Essalam varieties which followed a certain cross order in terms of phosphate fertilizer to increase their grain production. All the other varieties gave their best with only the 20 kg dose.ha-1of P2O5 i.e. 40 kg of TSP 46%. Gtadur and Vitron in this perspective remain among the best varieties. Semito is the variety that seems to be the best adapted to the absence of phosphate fertilization and a low dose. A high TGW is in favor of a better use of the available phosphorus. A more generous rainfall is a favorable factor for a better assimilation of the phosphate fertilizer. These results show that it is possible to reduce the doses of phosphate fertilizer currently used, which represents savings for the farmer in terms of expenses, for non-renewable phosphate deposits a better efficiency of use and for the environment a better preservation.