Relationship between spring triticale physiological traits and productivity changes as affected by different N rates

ABSTRACT

There is still a lack of knowledge about the physiological traits of spring triticale (x Triticosecale Wittm.) and their relationship with grain yield and protein content under the conditions of the environmental Zone Nemoral 2. The objective of this study was to determine the relationships among the physiological indices, grain yield and protein content as affected by nitrogen (N) rates. The correlation among leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll index (SPAD), canopy greenness index (CGI), leaf area duration (LAD) and grain yield as well as direct and indirect effects of those traits on the yield were investigated using a path analysis. Grain yield, protein content and physiological indices were significantly (P ≤ .01) affected by N fertilization. N₉₀ level was the best compromise for the yield and physiological indices. The interaction of all physiological indices influenced the grain yield by 27–39%, protein by 42–44%. SPAD and LAI had greater influence on grain yield and grain protein than CGI and LAD. SPAD had positive direct dominant (the highest) effect on the yield only at BBCH 59 and BBCH 69 (50% of the tested cases). LAI was responsible for 19–39% of the correlation between yield and physiological indices. The physiological indices can be used for spring triticale growth modelling and agronomic management for improved productivity and grain quality. SPAD and LAI values, established at BBCH 45–69, can be used for grain yield prediction and those estimated at BBCH 69 can be used for grain protein prediction.

Abbreviations BBCH: Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (decimal system for a uniform coding of phenologically similar growth stages of all mono- and dicotyledonous plant species); CGI: canopy greenness index; GS: growth stage; LAD: leaf area duration; LAI: leaf area index; SPAD: chlorophyll index (soil plant analysis development)

KEYWORDS:

• Grain yield
• physiological indices
• protein
• path analysis
• Triticosecale wittm

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Daiva Janusauskaite is a doctor of science, senior research worker in the department of Plant Nutrition and Agroecology, Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (Lithuania). Her research area is plant nutrition and diagnostic, with a focus on fertilizers use efficiency. Presently, she is involved in research on the physiological performance of the plants depending on soil tillage and fertilization systems.

Dalia Feiziene is a doctor of science, a senior research worker in the Department of Plant Nutrition and Agroecology, Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (Lithuania). She deals with soil chemical and physical quality in contrasting soil and crop management systems, soil CO₂ flux investigation. Presently, she is involved in soil greenhouse gas emission, plant nutrition investigations in a long-term soil management experiments.

Virginijus Feiza is the head researcher, a doctor of science and the head of the department of Soil and Crop Management, Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (Lithuania). His research interest is soil and crop management systems, soil physical properties investigation. Presently, he is involved in soil hydro-physical properties investigations in a long-term soil management experiments

ORCID

Daiva Janusauskaite http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2839-3566