Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen and Potassium on Grain Yield and Protein of Triticale

ABSTRACT: Winter triticale (XTriticosecale Wittmack) could be more widely grown as a forage, grain, or cover crop in the cropping systems, but research needed to establish best management practices is limited. This study was conducted to determine the amount of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizers needed to optimize triticale productivity. Treatments were four levels of nitrogen, as N1=0, N2=115, N3=160, N4=200 kgN.ha–1 and four levels of potassium, as k1=0, k2=50, k3=70, k4=90 kg K2O.ha–1. The experiment was done as randomized complete block design with three replicaties at Research of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Yazd, Iran, during 2008. Results of this study indicate that the highest rate of grain yield for triticale (6.1 ton.ha–1) was obtained by application of 160 and 90 kg.ha-1 nitrogen and potassium, respectively. Application of different levels of Nitrogen affected grain protein of triticale significantly, however using different amount of potassium had not any effect on grain protein. The percentage of the grain protein was increased markedly up to 160 kgN.ha-1. Increasing in nitrogen level more than 160 kgN.ha-1 led to a partial increasing in grain protein.