Effect of slow-release nitrogenous fertilizers on dry matter accumulation, grain nutritional quality, water productivity and wheat yield under an arid environment

Slow release nitrogenous fertilizers can improve crops production and reduce the environmental challenges in agro-ecosystem. There is a need to test the efficiency and performance under arid climatic conditions. The study investigates the effect of slow-release fertilizers (urea, neem coated urea (NCU), sulfur coated urea (SCU) and bioactive sulfur coated urea (BSCU)) on the growth, productivity and grain nutritional qualities of wheat crop. Slow-release fertilizers (SRF) with nitrogen levels (130,117,104 and 94 kg ha(−1)) were applied with equal splits at sowing, 20 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). Research showed that the BSCU with 130 kg ha(−1) increased dry matter accumulation (1989 kg ha(−1)) after anthesis and grain yield 4463 kg ha(−1). The higher plant height (102 cm) was attained by 130 kg N ha(−1) SCU while the minimum (77.67 cm) recorded for 94 kg N ha(−1) as urea source. Maximum grain NPK concentrations (3.54, 0.66 and 1.07%) were recorded by BSCU 130 kg N ha(−1) application. While, the minimum NPK (0.77, 0.19 and 0.35%) were observed by Urea 94 kg N ha(−1). The high irrigation water use efficiency (WUE) recorded (20.92 kg ha(−1) mm(−1)) and a crop index of 25.52% by BSCU 130 kg N ha(−1) application. Research findings show that generally all SRF but particularly BSCU proved effective and can be recommended for wheat crop under arid environment.