Trait-based analysis of yield formation and nitrogen use efficiency in wheat genotypes under integrated organic and NPK fertilization in low-fertility sandy soil.
Zaire MAIA, El-Banna AYA, Omar AEEA, El-Sobky EEA, Attia MA
Soil Health
Sandy desert soils are a preview of what climate-stressed gardeners face when soil organic matter drops and water becomes scarce — these findings show that compost plus targeted watering can nearly double what that ground produces.
Scientists in an arid region tested different ways to feed wheat plants growing in nutrient-poor sandy soil. Instead of just spreading fertilizer on the surface, they pumped it through the irrigation water so it reached roots directly — and yields jumped almost 50%. Adding compost alongside that approach gave an extra boost, and one wheat variety outperformed the others by being especially good at pulling nitrogen from the soil and converting it into grain.
Key Findings
Full fertigation (nutrients delivered via irrigation water) increased grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency by 49.8% compared to surface-applied fertilizer alone.
Adding 36 tonnes of compost per hectare produced 18% more grain than the lowest compost rate, with the combination of high fertigation and high compost giving the best overall results.
Genotype mattered significantly: Sakha-95 achieved the highest grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency, while Sids-14 and Misr-1 produced higher grain protein concentration, illustrating a yield-versus-quality trade-off between varieties.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Delivering fertilizer directly to wheat roots through drip irrigation (fertigation) instead of broadcasting it on soil boosted grain yields by nearly 50%, and adding compost on top pushed yields even higher — with the best results coming from pairing both strategies together in sandy desert soils.
Abstract Preview
Wheat productivity in irrigated arid and semi-arid regions is constrained by low soil fertility and inefficient use of mineral fertilizers. A process-level understanding of how integrated organic a...
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