EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FERTILIZER RATES AND THEIR PLACEMENT RELATIVE TO THE SEED ON THE GROWTH OF SPRING WHEAT UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS

Abstract

The effect of fertilizer rate and placement on plant growth is an important factor influencing nutrient uptake; however, the impact of the distance of fertilizer from the seed remains less studied. A pot experiment was conducted in 2025 in the greenhouse of the Open access Joint Research Centre of Agriculture and Forestry at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy. The study was arranged in a two-factorial design: Factor A – fertilizer rate (150 and 250 kg ha^-1), and Factor B – fertilizer placement (next to the seed and 5 cm away from the seed). The aim of the study was to determine the effects of fertilizer rate and placement relative to the seed on the growth parameters of spring wheat under pot experiment conditions. The results showed that both fertilizer rate and placement significantly affected the dry matter content of the above-ground biomass. The highest statistically significant above-ground dry matter content was observed with a fertilizer rate of 150 kg ha^-1 applied next to the seed. Neither fertilizer rate nor placement had a significant effect on root dry matter content, although there was a tendency for higher root dry matter accumulation when fertilizer was applied 5 cm away from the seed. The highest number of tillers was recorded in wheat fertilized with 250 kg ha^-1 placed next to the seed, while the lowest number was observed with 150 kg ha^-1 applied next to the seed.