Nitrogen mineralization indicators under semi-arid and semi-humid conditions: Influence on wheat yield and nitrogen uptake

MARTINEZ, JM.; GALANTINI, JA.; DUVAL, ME.; LANDRISCINI, MR.; GARCÍA, RJ.; LÓPEZ, FM.

COMMUNICATIONS IN SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT ANALYSIS

TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2018

0010-3624

The objectives were i) to assess indicators for potential nitrogen (N) mineralization and ii) to analyze their relationships for predicting winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth parameters (yield and N uptake, Nup) in Mollisols of the semi-arid and semi-humid region of the Argentine Pampas. Thirty-six farmer fields were sampled at 0-20 cm. Several N mineralization indicators, wheat grain yield and Nup at physiological maturity stage were assessed. A principal component (PC) analysis was performed using correlated factors to grain yield and Nup. The cluster analysis showed two main groups: high fertility and low fertility soils. In high fertility soils, combining PCs in multiple regression models enhanced the wheat yield and Nup prediction significantly with a high R2 (adj R2=0.71-0.83). The main factors that explained the wheat parameters were associated with water availability and N mineralization indicator, but they differ according to soil fertility.