INFLUENCE OF CROP DENSITY AND NITROGEN RATE ON PRODUCTIVITY OF WINTER WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

Abstract

Wheat planted areas in Lithuania are increasing each year. Concerning the growth of high-quality wheat, the essential requirement is nitrogen, which is necessary for plant growth, throughout their vegetation. Further, one of the major factors to grain quality is density. The experiment has been caried out in 2021-2022, at L. Adomaitis farm, Gilaičiai village, Šiauliai district. Through the experiment was investigated the effect of additional nitrogen fertilization (BBCH 70-71) and seed rate for winter wheat productivity, as well. Winter wheat 'Creator' was sown on September 11th, were studying two factors – A – seed rate. Seed rates applied: 2 mln., 3 mln., 4 mln. seed ha^-1. Factor B – nitrogen fertilizer rates. Some fields were fertilized with N₁₅₄, other fields were additionally fertilized in fruit development stage, their total nitrogen amount –  N₁₆₈. The productivity of winter wheat was determined by plucking wheat from 0,25 m^-2 plots and converting the grain weight to 1,0 m^-2. Productive stems were counted before harvest, the wheat heads were counted from 0,25 m^-2, and then the average was recalculated from 1,0 m^-2. The weight of 1000 grains was calculated by sampling 500 grains and converting to 1000 grains. The highest productivity appointed in the fields, with 4 mln. ha^-1 seed rate and N₁₆₈ amount. The most productive stems were also matured in wheat, sown with the highest rate, additional nitrogen fertilization did not have a significant effect. Substantially the minimum mass of 1000 grains was obtained in fields with 4 mln. ha^-1 sowing rate, without additional nitrogen fertilization.