Effect of low nitrogen fertilisation levels on durum wheat yield and quality of recent and ancient genotypes.

摘要

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low nitrogen fertilisation on ancient (Cappelli and Russello) and recent (Duilio and Simeto) durum wheat genotypes in relation to grain yield and quality. The genotypes were grown in field in 1996-1997 and 1997-1998 crop seasons, under four levels of nitrogen fertilisation (0, 30, 60, 90, kg ha~(-1)). At harvest, yield, its main components, protein and gluten content, SDS test and alveograph parameters (VV and P/L) were evaluated. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed 4 factors explaining the 81.8% of total variance to be identified. Factor 1 appeared linked with protein content, gluten content and SDS test; factor 2 was mainly associated with W and P/L; factor 3 was linked with yield and number of kernels m'2 , factor 4 was related to 1000 kernels weight and test weight. A positive effect of nitrogen fertilisation on protein and gluten content and a marked effect of genotype on technological parameters were observed. The recent genotypes showed the best performance both for yield and quality parameters.