| Abstract : |
The study analyzed the influence of nitrogen and the Super Fifty algae-based biofertilizer, at variable application rates, on some wheat quality indices. The study was conducted in the specific conditions of the Western Plain of Romania, within the Didactic and Experimental Resort, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, between 2018 and 2022. The 'Alex' wheat cultivar was cultivated on a chernozem soil, non-irrigated system. Nitrogen (N) was applied in spring in five doses (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 active substance; ammonium nitrate fertilizer). The algae algae-based biofertilizer Super Fifty (SF) was applied foliarly, at each N level, in six doses (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 L ha-1). Thirty experimental variants (T1 – T30) resulted, each with three repetitions. The two factors (N, SF) differentially influenced the starch (ST), gluten (GLT), protein (PRO), Zeleny index (ZEL), hectoliter weight (HW) and moisture (Moist) content. Convergent action of the factors was recorded in the variation of the GLT, PRO, and ZEL indices, and divergent action in the formation of the ST, and HW indices. Based on the multivariate analysis, in PC1 the N factor loaded, with very strong positive action, associated with the PRO, GLT, ZEL, and ST indices. In PC2 the SF loaded with strong positive action, associated with HW. Cluster analysis grouped the variants based on similarity (Coph.corr.=0.791), and Ranking-scaling analysis generated the hierarchy of the variants in relation to the values of the quality indices. The results of the study have scientific and practical relevance for optimizing wheat crop technology through fertilization models, in which foliar biofertilizers are of interest in the context of climate change. The fertilization model, based on the two fertilizer resources (nitrogen and algae-based biofertilizer), can be adjusted for different wheat genotypes and environmental conditions. Also, the model can be developed with multiple fertilizer elements (e.g., NPK) for specific environmental conditions, and the algae-based biofertilizer Super Fifty can enhance the effect of these elements on crop productivity, yield and quality indices. |
