Wheat Grain Protein Content under Mediterranean Conditions Measured with Chlorophyll Meter

Adequate N fertilisation is crucial to increase the grain protein content (GPC) values in wheat. The recommended level of GPC needed to achieve high-quality bread-making flour should be higher than 12.5%. However, it is difficult to ensure the GPC values that the crop will achieve because N in grain is derived from two different sources: N remobilized into the grain from N accumulated in the pre-anthesis period, and N absorbed from the soil in the post-anthesis period. This study aimed to (i) evaluate the effect of the application of N on the rate of stem elongation (GS30) when farmyard manures are applied as initial fertilisers on GPC and on the chlorophyll meter (CM) values at mid-anthesis (GS65), (ii) establish a relationship between the CM values at GS65 and GPC, and (iii) determine a minimum CM value at GS65 to obtain GPC values above 12.5%. Three field trials were performed in three consecutive growing seasons, and different N fertilisation doses were applied. Readings using the CM Yara N-Tester (TM) were taken at GS65. The type of initial fertiliser did not affect the GPC and CM values. Generally, the greater the N application at GS30 is, the higher the GPC and CM values are. CM values can help to estimate GPC values only when yields are below 8000 kg ha(-1). Additionally, CM values at GS65 should be higher than 700 to achieve high-quality bread-making flour (12.5%) at such yield levels. These results will allow farmers and cooperatives to make better decisions regarding late-nitrogen fertilisation and wheat sales.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effect of nitrogen fertilisation on grain protein content (GPC) and chlorophyll values in wheat, finding that higher nitrogen application led to increased GPC and chlorophyll values. Chlorophyll values can be used to estimate GPC, but only when yields are below 8000 kg ha(-1). These results will help farmers and cooperatives make better decisions regarding late-nitrogen fertilisation and wheat sales.