Improved nitrogen status enhances zinc and iron concentrations both in the whole grain and the endosperm fraction of wheat

This study was conducted to assess the role of increasing N supply in enrichment of whole grain and grain fractions, particularly the endosperm, with Zn and Fe in wheat. The endosperm is the most widely consumed part of wheat grain in many countries. Plants were grown in the greenhouse with different soil applications of N and Zn and with or without foliar Zn spray. Whole grain and grain fractions were analyzed for N, P, Zn and Fe. Increased N supply significantly enhanced the Zn and Fe concentrations in all grain fractions. In the case of high Zn supply, increasing N application enhanced the whole grain Zn concentration by up to 50% and the endosperm Zn by over 80%. Depending on foliar Zn supply, high N elevated the endosperm Fe concentration up to 100%. High N also generally decreased the P/Zn and P/Fe molar ratios in whole grain and endosperm. The results demonstrate that improved N nutrition, especially when combined with foliar Zn treatment, is effective in increasing Zn and Fe of the whole grain and particularly the endosperm fraction, at least in the greenhouse, and might be a promising strategy for tackling micronutrient deficiencies in countries where white flour is extensively consumed.     

氮锌肥配施对小麦籽粒不同类型混合粉锌营养品质的影响

为明确氮、锌肥配施对小麦籽粒不同类型混合粉锌营养品质的影响规律，采用田间试验，研究了氮、锌肥配施对小麦籽粒产量、不同类型混合粉中氮、锌含量及其累积量的影响及混合粉中植酸含量、植酸与锌的摩尔比（PA/Zn）和锌日吸收量的变化规律。结果表明，锌肥处理对小麦籽粒产量、各类型混合粉中的氮含量及其累积量无显著影响；与不施氮对照比较，施氮处理小麦籽粒产量提高93.7%，各类型混合粉中氮含量及其累积量显著提高，以施氮量240 kg·hm^-2处理最高。喷锌处理下，各类型混合粉中锌含量显著增加，精制粉、标准粉、通粉和全粉中锌累积量较对照依次提高了63.3%、58.0%、48.6%和50.9%；施氮后，各类型混合粉的锌含量及其累积量显著增加，以喷施锌肥处理更为明显。全粉和通粉中的植酸含量显著高于精制粉和标准粉，但PA/Zn低于精制粉和标准粉。喷锌后，精制粉、标准粉和全粉中植酸含量增加13.0%~ 15.4%，但PA/Zn下降23.8%~34.7%；施氮降低了精制粉、通粉和全粉中的植酸含量和PA/Zn。全粉中锌日吸收量为0.98 mg·d^-1，显著高于其他各混合粉；喷施锌肥后，各类型混合粉的锌日吸收量提高了 35.9%~61.0%；施氮显著提高了各类型混合粉的锌日吸收量。     

Influence of long-term nitrogen fertilization on micronutrient density in grain of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A long-term (1999–2007) field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of three nitrogen (N) fertilization rates (0, 130, and 300 kg N/ha) on micronutrient density in wheat grain and its milling fractions. At maturity, grains were harvested and fractionated into flour, shorts, and bran for micronutrient and N analysis. N fertilization increased iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) density in wheat grain compared to the control. Increase of N application rate from 130 to 300 kg N/ha, however, did not further increase the three micronutrient densities in grain. Micronutrient concentrations were usually highest in the bran and lowest in the flour. High N application increased Zn and Cu densities in all three milling fractions and increased Fe concentration in shorts and bran but not in flour. N application did not affect the manganese (Mn) concentration in grain. N fertilization changed the proportions of Fe and Cu in flour and bran but did not affect the distribution of Zn. Because N fertilization increased micronutrient accumulation in wheat grain, proper management of N fertilization has the potential to enhance the nutritional quality of this important food.     

叶面施用不同形态锌化合物对稻米锌浓度及有效性的影响

2014年土培条件下,以日本晴、L81和L71为供试材料,开花及花后1周叶面喷施硫酸锌、柠檬酸锌、葡萄糖酸锌和EDTA二钠锌(Zn²⁺浓度均为0.2%,以喷施等量清水为对照),研究叶面喷施不同形态锌化合物对稻穗不同部位糙米锌浓度及有效性的影响。结果表明,稻穗不同部位糙米锌浓度差异显著,其中稻穗上部糙米锌浓度显著大于稻穗中部和下部,植酸、植酸与锌摩尔比则相反,不同处理趋势一致。与不施锌相比,硫酸锌、柠檬酸锌、葡萄糖酸锌和EDTA二钠锌使所有品种糙米锌浓度平均分别增加33%、31%、26%和27%,其中锌处理对稻穗上、中部糙米锌浓度的影响显著大于稻穗下部,供试材料中以日本晴的响应最大。锌处理对糙米植酸浓度影响较小,但对植酸与锌摩尔比影响较大。与对照相比,硫酸锌、柠檬酸锌、葡萄糖酸锌和EDTA二钠锌使所有品种糙米植酸与锌摩尔比平均分别下降25%、24%、22%和18%,其中稻穗上部和中部的降幅大于稻穗下部,日本晴和L71的降幅大于L81;锌处理×品种和锌处理×品种×部位间互作均达显著水平。以上数据说明,水稻籽粒生长早期喷锌处理可大幅增加糙米锌浓度及其生物有效性,增幅因锌化合物、供试品种以及籽粒在稻穗上的着生部位(以强势粒响应更大)而异。     

氮肥用量对苏中冬小麦地上部主要矿质元素含量的影响

为了明确施氮量对苏中地区冬小麦主要矿质元素含量的影响,以扬麦11和扬麦13为材料,在江苏丹阳设置3个氮素水平(0、150、300kg.hm-2),研究不同施氮量对冬小麦籽粒、茎鞘和叶片中Fe、Zn、Mn、Cu、Ca、Mg和P等矿质元素含量的影响。结果表明,增施氮肥能显著提高冬小麦籽粒、茎鞘、叶片、面粉和麸皮中的Fe、Zn、Mn、Cu和Ca含量,但P含量明显下降。与对照(N0)相比,施氮量达300kg.hm-2时,扬麦11籽粒中的Fe、Zn、Mn、Cu和Ca含量分别增加了11.74%、32.20%、31.78%、66.87%和53.75%,P含量降低23.06%,茎鞘中Zn、Cu和Ca含量增加106.34%、136.97%和51.15%,P含量降低46.46%;扬麦13籽粒中Zn、Cu和Ca含量分别比对照(N0)增加33.03%、59.67%和56.63%,Mg和P含量分别降低14.10%和25.41%,叶片中Mn、Cu、Ca和Mg分别增加174.54%、27.15%、41.66%和29.95%。随着氮肥用量增加,籽粒中Mg含量呈下降趋势,但茎鞘和叶片中Mg含量呈递增趋势。籽粒、茎鞘和叶片中不同矿质元素含量对氮肥的响应存在品种间差异。在本试验条件下,适量施氮可以提高冬小麦籽粒中微量元素的含量。但是,氮肥用量过高可能降低籽粒中P和Mg的含量,不利于籽粒矿质营养品质的提高。     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis>, cattle manure and wood vinegar (pyroligneous acid) application on growth and yield of organic rainfed rice

The effect of soil incorporation of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and cattle manure and of wood vinegar (pyroligneous acid) foliar application on growth and yield of rainfed rice was studied with a four replications split plot in a farmer’s field in Thailand. P. stratiotes incorporation significantly increased the grain yield over nonincorporation with P. stratiotes. Cattle manure incorporation alone or combined with wood vinegar application significantly increased grain yield over wood vinegar and no-fertilizer application. Incorporation of P. stratiotes combined with cattle manure and wood vinegar application could not provide sufficient N to the rice crop, but it adequate for P and K. Plots with cattle manure incorporation combined with wood vinegar application exhibited the maximum K, P and N content in soil after harvest.     

Dependence of Wheat Dough Extensibility on Flour Sulphur and Nitrogen Concentrations and the Influence of Foliar-Applied Sulphur and Nitrogen Fertilisers

Three field experiments on winter wheat from 1986 to 1988 tested the effect of late-season foliar-applied sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) fertilisers on baking quality. Only the experiment in 1988 produced grain with an S concentration and N:S ratio that could be classified as deficient by the accepted thresholds. Grain or flour S concentration was increased slightly in 1986 and 1988 by foliar-applied S. Dough resistance was reduced slightly by applied S in 1986, but this effect was dependent on cultivar and whether foliar N was applied. There were no effects of the fertilisers on baking quality in 1987 or 1988. When data from all three experiments were combined and corrected for mean effects of year and cultivar, multiple regression showed that dough extensibility increased with both increasing flour S and N concentrations. This is the first report in the U.K. that dough extensibility is limited by flour S status of field-grown wheat, and these crops provide the earliest evidence in the U.K. of a relationship between a measure of baking quality and S status of flour.     

氮肥对不同玉米品种子粒微量元素含量和生物有效性的影响

研究田间施用氮肥对吉林省4个玉米品种子粒中Zn、Fe、Mn、Cu含量以及Zn与Fe生物有效性的影响。结果表明,施用氮肥可增加玉米子粒中Zn、Fe含量,过量施氮玉米子粒中Zn和Fe含量不再增加甚至呈下降趋势;子粒中Mn含量随氮肥增加而提高,Cu含量随氮肥增加而降低,4个品种中只有吉四单19在过量施氮时子粒Mn含量呈下降趋势。随氮肥水平提高,玉米子粒中Zn、Fe和Mn累积量呈递增趋势,Cu累积量变化不显著。全磷与这些矿物质元素的比值(P/Zn、P/Fe)表明,氮肥施用将显著降低玉米子粒中Zn和Fe的生物有效性。     

Phosphorus application affects the nutritional quality of millet grain in the Sahel

The application of phosphorus (P) and crop residues (CR) to acid sandy soils of the Sahel has been shown to increase yields of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) several-fold. Information is lacking, however, about possible detrimental effects of such yield-enhancing amendments on grain quality, in particular the bioavailability of zinc (Zn) as defined by the phytate:zinc molar ratio (PZMR) and the concentrations of calcium, micronutrients, and protein. To determine the effects of CR and P on grain quality, millet seeds taken from the grain stores of 14 farmers and from a 2-yr on-station fertilizer experiment were analyzed for macronutrients, Zn, copper, iron, and phytate-P. The on-station experiment comprised four millet lines, P applied at 0 and 13 kg ha⁻¹, and CR applied at 500 and 2000 kg ha⁻¹ as surface mulch or ash. Grain from farmers' unfertilized millet had PZMRs ranging from 15 to 30. Application of P increased the concentrations of phytic acid in the grain between 25 and 29% and decreased Zn concentrations between 6 and 11%. The reasons for this were greater P uptake and a dilution of Zn by the large yield increases after P application. Phosphorus application decreased protein concentrations in both years, and increased the PZMRs from 20 to 28 in 1992 and from 21 to 29 in 1993. Although CR markedly increased millet yield, their application had little effect on PZMRs. While PZMRs above 15 are generally considered critical for Zn nutrition of humans, meat consumption and traditional practices of millet processing may increase Zn bioavailability in local dishes. Further studies of full diets are therefore needed, particularly among rural groups at particularly high risk of Zn deficiency such as nursing women and small children before definitive conclusions can be drawn about the effects of P fertilizer application to millet on the nutritional status of farmers in the Sahel.     

氮磷钾肥对稻米铁、锌、铜、锰、镁、钙含量和产量的影响

 采用田间试验，在四川省西昌市用两个水稻品种研究了氮、磷、钾肥施用量对稻米中铁、锌、铜、锰、镁、钙含量和产量的影响。结果表明，稻米中铁、锌、铜、锰、镁、钙含量均随着施氮量增加先上升后下降，滇屯502的铁、锌、铜、锰、镁、钙含量和产量都以施用90 kg/hm2 N最高，稻谷产量以施用180 kg/hm2 N最高；而合系39的铁、锌、铜、锰、镁、钙的含量以施用180 kg/hm2 N最高，稻谷产量以施用270 kg/hm2 N最高，说明供试籼型品种滇屯502对氮肥的敏感性较粳型品种合系39强；磷肥明显降低了稻米中铁、铜、锰、钙的含量和产量，适量增施磷肥有利于增加稻米中镁的含量和产量；适量施用钾肥有利于提高稻米中铁、锌、铜、锰含量和产量，两供试品种铁、锌、铜、锰含量均以90 kg/hm2 K2O时最高，而钾肥明显降低了稻米中镁、钙的含量和产量。     

Mineral element distributions in milling fractions of Chinese wheats

Malnutrition related to micronutrient deficiency can create immense economic and societal problems. The objective of this study was to quantify the mineral element concentration distribution in milled fractions, using 43 common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars sown in Jinan, China during the 2005–2006 crop season. All 43 cultivars had low Fe (average 28.2 mg Kg⁻¹) and Zn (28.6 mg Kg⁻¹) concentrations, and wide ranges of variation for mineral element concentrations. Highly significant effects among milling fractions and cultivars on all traits were observed, with fraction effect being the larger. There was an uneven distribution of mineral element concentrations in wheat grain. Shorts and bran fractions had the highest mineral element concentrations, whereas flours from break and reduction had low concentrations. Compared with those in the central endosperm, the concentration of inorganic phosphorus (Pi) decreased the most with decreasing flour yield, whereas the concentration of phytic acid P (PAP), phytase activity, and Ca decreased the least. Pi was the most concentrated element in the aleurone, whereas PAP, phytase activity, and Ca were the least, compared to those in the central endosperm. Milling technique through adjusting flour yield can be used to improve the element composition of flour.     

Mineral element distributions in milling fractions of Chinese wheats

Malnutrition related to micronutrient deficiency can create immense economic and societal problems. The objective of this study was to quantify the mineral element concentration distribution in milled fractions, using 43 common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars sown in Jinan, China during the 2005–2006 crop season. All 43 cultivars had low Fe (average 28.2 mg Kg⁻¹) and Zn (28.6 mg Kg⁻¹) concentrations, and wide ranges of variation for mineral element concentrations. Highly significant effects among milling fractions and cultivars on all traits were observed, with fraction effect being the larger. There was an uneven distribution of mineral element concentrations in wheat grain. Shorts and bran fractions had the highest mineral element concentrations, whereas flours from break and reduction had low concentrations. Compared with those in the central endosperm, the concentration of inorganic phosphorus (Pi) decreased the most with decreasing flour yield, whereas the concentration of phytic acid P (PAP), phytase activity, and Ca decreased the least. Pi was the most concentrated element in the aleurone, whereas PAP, phytase activity, and Ca were the least, compared to those in the central endosperm. Milling technique through adjusting flour yield can be used to improve the element composition of flour.     

Wheat grain quality under increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations in a semi-arid cropping system

We investigated wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain quality under Free Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) of 550 ± 10% CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹. In each of two full growing seasons (2008 and 2009), two times of sowing were compared, with late sowing designed to mimic high temperature during grain filling. Grain samples were subjected to a range of physical, nutritional and rheological quality assessments. Elevated CO₂ increased thousand grain weight (8%) and grain diameter (5%). Flour protein concentration was reduced by 11% at e[CO₂], with the highest reduction being observed at the late time of sowing in 2009, (15%). Most of the grain mineral concentrations decreased under e[CO₂] - Ca (11%), Mg (7%), P (11%) and S (7%), Fe (10%), Zn (17%), Na (19%), while total uptake of these nutrients per unit ground area increased. Rheological properties of the flour were altered by e[CO₂] and bread volume reduced by 7%. Phytate concentration in grains tended to decrease (17%) at e[CO₂] while grain fructan concentration remained unchanged. The data suggest that rising atmospheric [CO₂] will reduce the nutritional and rheological quality of wheat grain, but at high temperature, e[CO₂] effects may be moderated. Reduced phytate concentrations at e[CO₂] may improve bioavailability of Fe and Zn in wheat grain.     

Elevated atmospheric CO2 effects on N fertilization in grain sorghum and soybean

Increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration has led to concerns about global changes to the environment. One area of global change that has not been fully addressed is the effect of elevated atmospheric CO₂ on agriculture production inputs. Elevated CO₂ concentration alterations of plant growth and C:N ratios may modify C and N cycling in soil and N fertility. This study was conducted to examine the effects of legume, soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), and non-legume, grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) carbon dioxide-enriched agro-ecosystems on N soil fertility in a Blanton loamy sand (loamy siliceous, thermic, Grossarenic Paleudults). The study was a split-plot design replicated three times with crop species (soybean and grain sorghum) as the main plots and CO₂ concentration (ambient and twice ambient) as subplots using open top field chambers. Fertilizer application was made with ${}^{15}\text{N}$-depleted NH₄NO₃ to act as a fertilizer tracer. Elevated CO₂ increased total biomass production in all 3 years of both grain sorghum (average 30%) and soybean (average 40%). With soybean, while no impact on the plant C:N ratio was observed, the total N content was greatly increased (average 29%) due to increased atmospheric N₂ fixation with elevated CO₂ concentration. With grain sorghum, the total N uptake was not affected, but the C:N ratio was markedly increased (average 31%) by elevated CO₂. No impact of elevated CO₂ level was observed for fertilizer N in grain sorghum. The results from this study indicated that while elevated CO₂ may enhance crop production and change N status in plant tissue, changes to soil N fertilizer application practices may not be needed.     

Yield dilution of grain Zn in wheat grown in open-top chamber experiments with elevated CO2 and O3 exposure

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain Zn data from six open-top chamber experiments performed in south-west Sweden were combined to study the relationship between Zn accumulation and grain yield, grain protein, and yield components. Treatments included, in addition to open-top chamber controls, elevated CO₂, elevated O₃, combined CO₂ and O₃ exposure, combined elevated CO₂ and supplemental irrigation, supplemental irrigation, and ambient air comparison plots. The grain Zn concentration was strongly correlated with grain protein (R² = 0.90) over the range of the experimental treatments, representing non-soil factors. A significant yield dilution effect was found for Zn. For a 10% increase in grain yield, Zn yield was increased by 6.8% on average. Effects on Zn yield correlated strongly with effects on grain protein yield, with a slope close to unity, showing that yield dilution effects for grain Zn and grain protein were similar. Treatment effects on grain Zn concentration were related to effects on grain weight (P < 0.01) and grain number (P < 0.05), but not to harvest index. It was concluded that yield stimulation caused by rising CO₂ concentrations is likely to lead to reduced Zn concentrations of wheat grain, thus reducing the nutritional quality.     

Wheat grain quality under increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations in a semi-arid cropping system

We investigated wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain quality under Free Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) of 550 ± 10% CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹. In each of two full growing seasons (2008 and 2009), two times of sowing were compared, with late sowing designed to mimic high temperature during grain filling. Grain samples were subjected to a range of physical, nutritional and rheological quality assessments. Elevated CO₂ increased thousand grain weight (8%) and grain diameter (5%). Flour protein concentration was reduced by 11% at e[CO₂], with the highest reduction being observed at the late time of sowing in 2009, (15%). Most of the grain mineral concentrations decreased under e[CO₂] - Ca (11%), Mg (7%), P (11%) and S (7%), Fe (10%), Zn (17%), Na (19%), while total uptake of these nutrients per unit ground area increased. Rheological properties of the flour were altered by e[CO₂] and bread volume reduced by 7%. Phytate concentration in grains tended to decrease (17%) at e[CO₂] while grain fructan concentration remained unchanged. The data suggest that rising atmospheric [CO₂] will reduce the nutritional and rheological quality of wheat grain, but at high temperature, e[CO₂] effects may be moderated. Reduced phytate concentrations at e[CO₂] may improve bioavailability of Fe and Zn in wheat grain.     

氮磷钾肥对红壤区水稻增产效应的影响

通过红壤区水稻试验,分析了长期使用氮磷钾肥条件下双季水稻的生物量（包括稻谷产量和秸秆量）、养分增产效应和土壤肥力的变化。氮磷钾肥的配合施用对双季水稻生物量的影响顺序为NPK>NP>PK>NK>CK。N、P、K对水稻的增产效应系数分别为41.2%~54.8%、66.3%~88.2%和10.3%~10.9%。N、P和K增产效应的变异系数规律与其增产效应相反,说明养分对双季水稻增产效应越高,其稳定性越好。双季水稻的增产效应及其稳定性均表现为早稻优于晚稻。氮磷钾肥的配施可显著提高土壤有机质和全氮含量。磷肥的使用明显增加了土壤全磷和有效磷含量。钾肥使用提高了土壤全钾和交换性钾含量,然而水稻生物量的输出却与之相反,两者的平衡决定着土壤全钾和交换性钾含量的变化。氮磷钾肥对土壤pH值影响则不一致,氮肥（尿素）的长期使用降低土壤pH值,而磷肥（钙镁磷肥）的使用减缓了土壤pH值的降低。     

Variation in the Breadmaking Quality and Rheological Properties of Wheat in Relation to Sulphur Nutrition under Field Conditions

Seven field experiments were conducted at four sites in England in the 1994/95 and 1995/96 cropping seasons to investigate the effects of S application on the breadmaking quality of the premium hard winter wheat variety Hereward. Two N levels (180 and 230 kg/ha) were combined with three S levels (0, 20 and 100 kg/ha) in all experiments. Loaf volume was increased significantly by S in four out of the seven experiments, whereas increasing the N rate significantly increased loaf volume in only one experiment. Responses of breadmaking quality to S were more common than responses in terms of grain yield. Sulphur application did not affect grain protein concentration directly, but tended to increase gel protein weight in flour and the proportion of polymeric proteins. The elastic modulus of gel protein and dough resistance were decreased consistently by S, whereas dough extensibility was increased by S. Correlation and regression analyses showed that grain protein concentration was a poor indicator of loaf volume, whereas grain S status (S concentration and N:S ratio) was more influential. These results indicate that there is a current need to apply S fertiliser to wheat in many areas of England in order to maintain breadmaking quality.     

Effects of Zn rates and application forms on protein and some micronutrients accumulation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

In order to investigation the effects of Zn rates and application forms on protein and element contents (Fe, Cu, Mn, N and Zn) in bean plant, an experiment was conducted as a factorial based on completely randomized design at greenhouse conditions during 2006. Treatments were included zinc rates in 4 levels (10, 20, 30 and 40 mg Zn kg(-1) soil(-1) in ZnSO4 source) and 3 application forms (soil application, seed pelleting and foliar spraying). Results showed that Zn rates had significant effect on accumulation of Zn, Cu, Mn and N in bean leaves. Nitrogen accumulation in leaves reduced with increasing of zinc in the soil. Among Zn application forms, spray application had the highest accumulation of Fe, Zn and Mn in leaves (423.17, 282.89 and 88.17 mg kg(-1), respectively). The highest Zn content in seed was observed in 20 and 40 mg Zn kg(-1) soil(-1) levels (46.39 and 45.62 mg kg(-1), respectively). Meanwhile, all treatments of Zn (both rate and application) had not significant effects on Cu and Mn accumulation in bean seeds. According to interaction effects between Zn rates and application forms, the highest Fe content in seed was observed when 40 mg kg(-1) soil(-1) of Zn was applied as foliar spraying. The seed protein content nearly was stable while Zn levels was increased from 20 to 40 mg Zn kg(-1) soil(-1). Grain yield had significant correlation to zinc and Cu of leaves but, biomass had significant and negative correlation to Zn content of leaves at p < 0.05% probability levels.     

Factors Contributing to the Benefits of Foliar Nitrogen Application for Wheat in a Sub-Tropical Winter Environment

Abstract

Beneficial effects of foliar N application to cereal crops have been widely believed to rely on subsequent rainfall or irrigation in the semi-arid region where in-crop rain is insufficient and unreliable. To verify this, factors contributing to the effects of foliar N application were assessed by implementing foliar N application in trials on three farmers' properties in central Queensland, Australia. Solutions of CRN35 (30 kg N ha^?1 at 1.94 N % w v^_1), urea and UAN (both 26, 2.25%), and urea (20, 20%; 40, 20%) and UAN (20, 20%; 40, 40%), were applied to wheat at anthesis respectively at the three properties (sites). Adjuvant chemical agents were also applied in mixture form with the N at the latter two sites. At the first site, with foliar N (CRN35) application, grain protein content on average increased by 1.07 percentage points, and by 1.6 in the presence of basal superphosphate. Superphosphate alone also increased grain yield. At the second site, while the applications of UAN and urea increased grain protein content by 1.3 and 0.9 percentage points, respectively, UAN showed superiority to urea in N recovery.

At the third site, foliar N applications with or without chemical adjuvant did not affect grain protein content, but due to the higher concentration in the N solution, some of them (excluding UAN40) had negative effects on grain yield, compared to the water only control.

Based on our data and supporting literature, to ensure the positive effect on wheat grain protein content, subsequent irrigation or rainfall may not be critical provided that foliar N concentration is lower than 5%. It is also suggested that UAN is superior to urea as an N source for foliar application. For alkaline/sodic soils, while the application of basal superphosphate increased grain yield, the added foliar N ensured an increase of grain protein content.