Nitrogen fertilization strategies suitable to achieve the quality requirements of wheat for biscuit production

Abstract

A low grain protein content (GPC) and flour strength (W) are desirable traits for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for biscuit production. Nitrogen fertilization is the main factor that affects storage proteins. the aim of this study was to compare the effect of different commonly applied N fertilization strategies on the quality requirements of common wheat intended for biscuits production. Field experiments were set up over three growing seasons at three sites in northwestern Italy on two wheat cultivars. Th ree N rates (100, 130, and 170 kg N ha–1), applied split as ammonium nitrate, have been compared to a slow release fertilizer, applied only at tillering (130 kg N ha–1). the leaf greenness, grain yield, grain and flour protein content, and W were affected directly by the rate of N distributed as ammonium nitrate in several of compared agro-environments. Taking in account the same N rate, the application of a slow release fertilizer resulted in a significantly lower GPC (4%), W (6%), and flour stability measured through the Brabender farinograph (10%) compared to the split fertilization with ammonium nitrate, while no difference was observed for ear density and grain yield. Suitable rheological parameters of wheat for biscuits could be achieved through the split application of ammonium nitrate only at low N rate, but this could limit their productive performances. Conversely, the fertilization strategy of applying a slow release fertilizer at tillering is able to better satisfy the qualitative requirements for biscuit production, without causing any grain yield loss.