Contribution of soil and foliar fertilization of nitrogen and sulfur on physiological and quality assessment of wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.)

doi:10.4236/ns.2013.59125

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Vol.5, No.9, 1012-1018 (2013) Natural Science

http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ns.2013.59125

Contribution of soil and foliar fertilization of nitrogen

and sulfur on physiological and quality assessment

of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Beena Saeed1*, Hasina Gul2, Farman Ali1, Amir Zaman Khan2, Shazma Anwar2, Nasrullah3,

Sadia Alam4, Salma Khalid5, Alia Naz5, Hina Fayyaz7, Azra6

1Department of Agriculture, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan; *Corresponding Author: [email protected]

2Department of Agronomy, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

3Department of Soil Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

4Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan

5Department of Environmental Sciences, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan

6Department of Plant Pathology, The University of Agriculture, Mardan Campus, Pakistan

7Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

Received 10 April 2013; revised 10 May 2013; accepted 18 May 2013

which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

ABSTRACT

Nitrogen and sulfur supplies have a strong in-

fluence on the physical characteristics of crop

as well as on the quality and quantity of wheat

storage proteins, which play an important role in

bread-making process. In order to evaluate the

contribution of soil and foliar fertilization of ni-

trogen and sulfur on physiological and quality

assessment of wheat, a field trail was carried out

having randomized complete block design with

four replications and eight different treatments

of nitrogen and sulfur combinations were allot-

ted to plots at different growth stages. Results

indicated that highest protein content (12.82%),

maximum moisture content (10.9%), maximum

crop growth rate and maximum absolute growth

rate were recorded when the wheat crop was

fertilized with T8 [Nitrogen @ 60 kg·ha−1 at sow-

ing + 40 kg·ha−1 at tillering + 10 kg·ha−1 at anthe-

sis (spray) + 10 kg·ha−1 after anthesis (spray)] +

[Sulfur @ 15 kg·ha−1 at sowing + 10 kg·ha−1 at

anthesis (spray) + 5 kg·ha−1 after anthesis

(spray)], while control practice resulted low

moisture content, low protein, minimum crop

growth rate and low absolute growth rate.

Among physiological components of wheat cul-

tivars, leaf area index was enhanced when fer-

tilization was done with T5 (Sulfur @ 15 kg·ha−1

at sowing + 10 kg·ha−1 at anthesis + 5 kg·ha−1

after anthesis). In all the recorded observations,

concerning experiment wheat cultivar Pirsabaq-

2005 showed appreciable response as compared

with other variety (Khyber-87). Thus it is possi-

ble to obtain maximum physiological traits as

well as bread-making quality of wheat through

soil and foliar application of nitrogen and sulfur.

Keywords: Absolute Growth Rate; Crop Growth

Rate; Leaf Area Index; Moisture and Protein

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

Cereals are an important dietary protein source through-

out the world, because they constitute the main protein

and energy supply in most countries [1]. Wheat is one of

the major cereal crops with a unique protein, which is

consumed by the humans and is grown around the world

in diverse environments. It has already been known that

gluten proteins have a primary role in wheat flour quality.

It is recognized that variation in protein contents and

composition significantly affects wheat quality with sub-

sequent influence on baking quality [2]. Nitrogen and

sulfur contents of wheat influence the bread-making qual-

ity of wheat flour [3]. Studies have shown that foliar as

well as soil application of nitrogen and sulfur on wheat at

optimum timings (during and after anthesis) has increased

grain protein contents and improved bread-making qual-

ity [4].

Nitrogen rate, type and timings of its application are

important factors to increase wheat protein contents and

B. Saeed et al. / Natural Science 5 (2013) 1012-1018 1013

its yield [5]. In a study, Nitrogen spraying on leaves dur-

ing 2 - 3 weeks after flowering has shown a significant

increase in grain protein contents [4]. The metabolism of

nitrogen and sulfur is closely interrelated and an optimal

N/S ratio in grain has been shown to improve bread-

making quality. Differences in nitrogen and sulfur uptake

and redistribution of nitrogen and sulfur influence pro-

tein content and composition as well as grain characteris-

tics and dough properties. The current practice of apply-

ing large amounts of nitrogen fertilizers to cereal crops

without considering sulfur requirements is becoming a

concern for crop quality. With the increased use of sul-

fur-free fertilizers in modern cropping systems and the

decrease of atmospheric sulfur emissions by industry,

sulfur has become a major limiting factor for crop pro-

duction. Research has also indicated that there is an in-

crease of grain protein from 11% to 12% by spraying of

12 kg/ha of ammonium sulphate [4]. Although wheat has

a relatively low sulfur requirement, still deficiencies have

been observed in many countries of the world [6].

Nitrogen and sulfur fertilization boosts yield compo-

nents, phenology and leaf traits. Crop biomass and crop

growth rate are dependent on the ability of the canopy to

intercept incoming photo synthetically active radiations,

which is the function of leaf area index (LAI), leaf area

duration and canopy architecture and then converts these

radiation into new biomass. Nitrogen availability influ-

ences the efficiency of assimilated mobilization to sink

during leaf senescence and thus affects leaf viability and

activity [7]. Nitrogen addition increases the leaf archi-

tecture from 7% to 19% at the lower sulfur rate, but at

the highest sulfur supply, these increments range from

20% to 35%, evidencing a clear interaction between both

nutrients [4]. Sulfur effects are evident between anthesis

and physiological maturity increasing CGR by 51% [4].

An increase in leaf photosynthesis is expected when sul-

fur supply is increased. LAI was reduced in crops grown

under nitrogen deficiency. Increases in nitrogen and sul-

fur contents of soil affect all growth stages of the crops.

For example an increase in nitrogen concentration at an-

thesis can result in an increase of LAI by as much as

62% and incoming photo synthetically active radiations

by up to 20% [8].

The present study was therefore designed to investi-

gate about contribution of soil and foliar fertilization of

nitrogen and sulfur on physiological and quality assess-

ment in two varieties of wheat.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Site Description and Experimental

Design

Experiment was conducted at New Developmental Farm

of The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan dur-

ing 2008 and 2009. A basal dose of Phosphorus (100

kg/ha) and potassium (60 kg/ha) was applied at sowing.

Urea was applied as a source for nitrogen and ammo-

nium sulphate as a source for sulfur. Half dose of both

urea and ammonium sulphate was applied at the time of

sowing and the remaining half dose at different growth

stages. The experiment was laid out in randomized com-

plete block design having 4 replications. Subplots size

was 5 m × 3 m having 10 rows 5 m long & 30 cm apart.

Two varieties Pirsabaq-2005 & Khyber-87 were used in

the study.

2.2. Fertilizer Treatments

Details of the fertilizer treatments are as follows:

T1 Control: without fertilization

T2 Recommended dose of soil applied Nitrogen (60

kg·N/ha at sowing + 60 kg·N/ha at tillering)

T3 Soil applied Nitrogen (60 kg·N/ha at sowing + 40

kg·N/ha at tillering + 10 kg·N/ha anthesis + 10 kg·N/ha

after anthesis)

T4 Soil + foliar applied Nitrogen [60 kg·N/ha at sow-

ing + 40 kg·N/ha at tillering + 10 kg·N/ha at anthesis

(foliar) + 10 kg·N/ha after anthesis (foliar)]

T5 Soil applied Sulfur (15 kg·S/ha at sowing + 10

kg·S/ha at anthesis + 5 kg·S/ha after anthesis)

T6 Soil + foliar applied Sulfur [(15 kg·S/ha at sowing

+ 10 kg·S/ha at anthesis (foliar) + 5 kg·S/ha after anthesis

(foliar)]

T7 Soil applied N + soil applied S (combination of

soil applied N and soil applied S)

T8 Soil and foliar applied N + soil and foliar applied

S (combination of soil + foliar applied nitrogen and soil

+ foliar applied sulfur)

The moisture content was determined by taking 5.0 g

of thoroughly homogenized sample in a previously dried

and weighted china dish. The china dish containing sam-

ple was then allowed to dry in oven at 105˚C until a con-

stant weight was obtained. Moisture content was calcu-

lated by the formula: (Final weight − Initial weight/total

weight) × 100.

Protein in the sample was determined by Kjeldahl

method. The samples were digested by heating with con-

centrated sulphuric acid in the presence of digestion mix-

ture. The mixture was then made alkaline. Ammonium

sulphate thus formed was collected in 2% boric acid so-

lution and titrated against standard HCI. Total protein

was calculated by multiplying the amount of nitrogen

with appropriate factor (5.7) and the amount of protein

was calculated.

LAI (tiller−1) was calculated by multiplying leaf area

tiller−1 over tillers m−2 and divided by 10,000.

For calculating CGR, 50 cm long row was harvested

in each sub plot. Four samples each on one month inter-

val was collected during the crop growing season from

B. Saeed et al. / Natural Science 5 (2013) 1012-1018

1014

tillering to physiological maturity. CGR was determined

by using the formula:

mum LAI (5.1) as compared with the other variety. The

interaction effects of variety and fertilizer was also re-

corded significant. Similarly the interaction of varieties

and year was also found significant. From the means of

planned comparison of two varieties it was observed that

no fertilizer vs. fertilizers comparison showed significant

result for LAI Figure 1(a). Similarly the effects of sulfur

alone treatment was also found significant.



WW 1

CGR TT GA







AGR was derived from the CGR. AGR was deter-

mined by the formula.



AGR TT



 It is evident from the data that crude protein contents

are significantly affected by fertilizer treatments Table 1.

The maximum crude protein contents (12.82%) were

found in those plots which were treated with T8 [Nitro-

gen @ 60 kg·ha−1 at sowing + 40 kg·ha−1 at tillering + 10

kg·ha−1 at anthesis (spray) and 10 kg·ha−1 after anthesis

(spray)] + [Sulfur @ 15 kg·ha−1 at sowing + 10 kg·ha−1 at

anthesis (spray) + 5 kg·ha−1 after anthesis (spray)], while

control plots showed minimum crude protein contents

(9.53%). Results showed that fertilizer treatments and

both the varieties of wheat observed non significant af-

fect on crude protein contents. Similarly no significant

differences were found among the mean values of varie-

ties on the concern parameter. However from the results

of planned comparison for crude protein it is evident that

the comparison of no fertilizer vs. fertilizer treatment

gave significant association Figure 1(b). Likewise sig-

nificant differences were found among the mean values

of recommended fertilizer vs. other fertilizer treatments

comparison. The results of planned comparison of the

2.3. Statistical Analysis

All data are presented as mean values of four repli-

cates. Data were analyzed statistically for analysis of

variance following the method of [9]. The significance of

differences among means was compared by using Least

Significance Difference Test [10].

3. RESULTS

The presented data about LAI revealed that significant

differences were found among different treatments of

sulfur and nitrogen combinations Ta ble 1 . Data showed

that highest LAI (5.01) was observed in T5 (Sulfur @ 15

kg·ha−1 at sowing + 10 kg·ha−1 at anthesis + 5 kg·ha−1

after anthesis), while the lowest LAI (3.5) was found in

T6 (Sulfur @ 15 kg·ha−1 at sowing + 10 kg·ha−1 at anthe-

sis + 5 kg·ha−1 after anthesis). Pirsabaq-2005 gave maxi

Table 1. Effects of various nitrogen and sulfur fertilizer treatments on physiological and quality assessment traits of two varieties of

wheat.

LAI CP (%) MC (%)

Varieties Varieties Varieties

Fertilizer Treatments PS-2005 Khyber-87 Mean PS-2005 Khyber-87 Mean PS-2005 Khyber-87 Mean

Control (CK) (T1) 6.89a 3.10fg 4.999a9.303 9.767 9.535d8.0 8.0 8.0d

Recommended dose (T2) 5.17b 3.97cde 4.577a9.799 10.059 9.929d 8.0 8.0 8.0d

Soil applied N (T3) 4.50bc 3.33efg 3.917b11.727 10.374 11.05c8.0 8.0 8.0d

Soil and foliar app l ie d N (T4) 3.82cdef 4.10cde 3.969b 12.211 11.181 11.696bc 9.0 8.75 8.9c

Soil and foliar app l ie d N (T4) 7.10a 2.92g 5.016a 12.322 11.658 11.99ab 10.0 10.0 10.0b

Soil and foliar applied S (T6) 5.19b 1.94h 3.567b12.289 12.201 12.24bc10.0 10.0 10.0b

Combination of T3 & T5 (T7) 4.21cd 3.54defg 3.883b12.335 11.825 12.08ab 10.0 10.0 10.0b

Combination of T4 & T6 (T8) 3.86cdef 3.65cdefg 3.763b 12.249 13.390 12.82a 11 . 0 10.75 10.9a

Mean 5.10 10.9a - 11 . 4 9 11. 30 - 9.25 9.18 -

2008-09 5.2a 3.06c 4.13 11 . 4 9 11.57 11. 56

2009-10 4.99a 3.58b 4.29 11.49 11.03 11.26 9.25 9.18 9.21

LSD

F 0.604 0.9058 0.126

V × F 0.855 - -

Y × V 0.4273 - -

Interactions P-Value P-Value P-Value

Y × F 0.3125 0.1000 0.1000

Y × V × F 0.1333 0.4764 0.1000

*Mean of the same category followed by different letters is significantly different (P ≥ 0.05) using LSD test; LAI = Leaf Area Index, CP = Crude Protein, MC =

Moisture Content, Y = Year, F = Fertilizer treatments; V = Variety, PS-2005 = Pirsabaq-2005, LSD = Least Significant Difference.

OPEN ACCESS

B. Saeed et al. / Natural Science 5 (2013) 1012-1018 1015

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

No Fert vs

Fert.a pplic

Rcommed

Vs others

S effect:

T3&T4 vs

T7&T8

A/S soil vs

Soil+foliar

urea soil vs

S+F

A/S +Urea

soil vs

Soil+foliar

Low N+s vs

High N+S &

High N

Planned Fertilizers Comparisons

Leaf area index

First mean

Second mean

(a)

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

No Fert vs

Fert.a pplic

Rcommed

Vs others

S effect:

T3&T4 vs

T7&T8

A/S soil vs

Soil+foliar

urea soil vs

S+F

A/S +Urea

soil vs

Soil+foliar

Low N+s vs

High N+S &

High N

Planned Fertilizers Comparisons

Crude protein (%

)

First mean

Second mean

(b)

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

No Fert vs

Fert.a pplic

Rcommed

Vs others

S effect:

T3&T4 vs

T7&T8

A/S soil vs

Soil+foliar

urea soil vs

S+F

A/S +Urea

soil vs

Soil+foliar

Low N+s vs

High N+S &

High N

P lanned Fertilizers Compariso ns

Moi sture co ntent (%

)

First mean

Second mean

(c)

Figure 1. Planned comparison of the leaf area index (a), crude

protein (b) and moisture content (c) of wheat as affected by the

rate and method of sulfur and nitrogen application.

fertilizer treatments on two varieties also proposed sig-

nificant affect of sulfur alone treatment on crude protein

contents.

Data concerning moisture contents is depicted in Ta-

ble 1 which elaborated that different fertilizer treatment

combinations reported highly significant effect on mois-

ture content of the wheat flour. Maximum moisture con-

tents (10.9%) were observed in the flour sample which

was treated with T8 [Nitrogen @ 60 kg·ha−1 at sowing +

40 kg·ha−1 at tillering + 10 kg·ha−1 at anthesis (spray) +

10 kg·ha−1 after anthesis (spray)] + [Sulfur @ 15 kg·ha−1

at sowing + 10 kg·ha−1 at anthesis (spray) + 5 kg·ha−1

after anthesis (spray)], while minimum moisture contents

(8%) was recorded in control. Regarding varieties maxi-

mum moisture contents were observed in Pirsabaq-2005

compared with other variety. While the interaction be-

tween fertilizer treatments and varieties showed no sig-

nificant relationship. Data from the planned comparison

of fertilizer treatments on two varieties suggested that no

fertilizer vs. fertilizer application comparison gave highly

significant effect on moisture contents Figure 1(c). Like-

wise recommended dose vs. other treatments also pro-

posed highly significant effect. Similarly from the results

of the planned comparison it is recorded that the effect of

sulfur alone treatment also observed highly significant

results.

The concern data proposed that maximum crop growth

rate (23.3 g/m2/day) was observed from the application

of T8 [Nitrogen @ 60 kg·ha−1 at sowing + 40 kg·ha−1 at

tillering + 10 kg·ha−1 at anthesis (spray) + 10 kg·ha−1

after anthesis (spray)] + [Sulfur @ 15 kg·ha−1 at sowing

+ 10 kg·ha−1 at anthesis (spray) + 5 kg·ha−1 after anthesis

(spray)], while control treatment was observed with mini-

mum growth rate (3 g/m2/day) Figure 2. It is also evident

from the data that significant differences found among the

means of interaction of crop growth rate and fertilizer

treatments. The trend gradually increased with fertilizer

application and reached to the plateau at third sampling

period and then started decreasing frequently in later

sampling periods Figure 3. The trend lines in the Figure

3 explained that maximum dry matter was accumulated

by the fertilization of soil and foliar applied nitrogen and

soil and foliar applied sulfur. Data regarding absolute

growth rate proposed that maximum AGR (2.1 g/day)

was observed from the application of T8 [Nitrogen @ 60

kg·ha−1 at sowing + 40 kg·ha−1 at tillering + 10 kg·ha−1 at

anthesis (spray) + 10 kg·ha−1 after anthesis (spray)] +

[Sulfur @ 15 kg·ha−1 at sowing + 10 kg·ha−1 at anthesis

(spray) + 5 kg·ha−1 after anthesis (spray)], while control

0.0

4.0

8.0

12.0

16.0

20.0

24.0

28.0

12345678

Fertilizers Treatments

CGR

(g/m

/ d ay)

Figure 2. Seasonal mean of crop growth rate (CGR) of sulfur

and nitrogen application to two different wheat cultivars (Pir-

sabaq-2005 and Khyber-87) during 2008-09 and 2009-10. 1 =

control or ck; 2 = Recommended dose of nitrogen; 3 = soil

applied nitrogen; 4 = soil and foliar applied nitrogen; 5 = soil

applied sulfur; 6 = soil and foliar applied sulfur; 7= soil applied

nitrogen + soil applied sulfur; 8 = soil and foliar applied nitro-

gen + soil and foliar applied sulfur.

B. Saeed et al. / Natural Science 5 (2013) 1012-1018

1016

Figure 3. Seasonal trends of mean crop growth rate (CGR) of

sulfur and nitrogen application to two wheat varieties (Pirs baq-

2005 and Khyber-87) during 2008-09 and 2009-10. 1 = control

or ck; 2 = Recommended dose of nitrogen; 3 = soil applied

nitrogen; 4 = soil and foliar applied nitrogen; 5 = soil applied

sulfur; 6 = soil and foliar applied sulfur; 7 = soil applied nitro-

gen + soil applied sulfur; 8 = soil and foliar applied nitrogen +

soil and foliar applied sulfur.

treatment was observed with minimum growth rate (1.1

g/day) Figure 4. The data also declared that significant

difference found among the means of interaction of ab-

solute growth rate and fertilizer treatments. The trend

gradually increased with fertilizer application and reached

to the peak point at third sampling period and then started

decreasing gradually in later sampling intervals Figure 5.

The trend lines in the Figure 5 explained that maximum

dry matter was accumulated by the fertilization of T8

[Nitrogen @ 60 kg·ha−1 at sowing + 40 kg·ha−1 at tiller-

ing + 10 kg·ha−1 at anthesis (spray) + 10 kg·ha−1 after

anthesis (spray)] + [Sulfur @ 15 kg·ha−1 at sowing + 10

kg·ha−1 at anthesis (spray) + 5 kg·ha−1 after anthesis

(spray)].

4. DISCUSSION

Maximum LAI was counted through growth charac-

ters i.e. plant height and flag leaf area gradually in-

creased by increasing sulfur fertilization. These results

are in line with those of [8], who observed that sulfur

fertilization enhanced LAI, The reason may be that the

increase in growth due to nitrogen fertilization attributed

to the role of nitrogen in increasing division and elonga-

tion of cells as well as activation of metabolic and pho-

tosynthesis process. Increase in nitrogen as well as sulfur

contents of the soil affects all growth stages of the wheat

crop. Such results are supported by [8], who stated that

increase in N:S concentration at anthesis stage can re-

sulted increased in LAI by as much as 62%. Similarly the

effects of sulfur alone treatment was also found signifi-

cant. It might be due to fertilizer application to wheat

specifically sulfur during various stages of development

greatly increased leaf area by delaying leaf senescence

and maintained the process of photosynthesis which greatly

1.1 1.2

1.4 1.3

1.5 1. 6

2.0 2. 1

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

12345678

Fertilizers Treatments

Absolute Growth Rate AGR (g/da

Figure 4. Seasonal mean of absolute growth rate (AGR) of

sulfur and nitrogen application to two different wheat cultivars

(Pirsabaq-2005 and Khyber-87) during 2008-09 and 2009-10. 1

= control or ck; 2 = Recommended dose of nitrogen; 3 = soil

applied nitrogen; 4 = soil and foliar applied nitrogen; 5 = soil

applied sulfur; 6 = soil and foliar applied sulfur; 7 = soil ap-

plied nitrogen + soil applied sulfur; 8 = soil and foliar applied

nitrogen + soil and foliar applied sulfur.

Figure 5. Seasonal trends of mean absolute growth rate (AGR)

of sulfur and nitrogen application to two wheat varieties (Pir-

sabaq-2005 and Khyber-87) during 2008-09 and 2009-10. 1 =

control or ck; 2 = Recommended dose of nitrogen; 3 = soil

applied nitrogen; 4 = soil and foliar applied nitrogen; 5 = soil

applied sulfur; 6 = soil and foliar applied sulfur; 7 = soil ap-

plied nitrogen + soil applied sulfur; 8 = soil and foliar applied

nitrogen + soil and foliar applied sulfur.

enhanced LAI.

Nitrogen and sulfur applied by foliar spray at anthesis

stage is transported and accumulated in grains, provided

support for protein synthesis. Similar results were re-

ported by [6], who suggested that a synergistic effect

between nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers is observed, sug-

gesting an interaction between the metabolism of both

the elements. Likewise significant differences were found

among the mean values of recommended fertilizer vs.

other fertilizer treatments comparison. The possible rea-

son may be due to fact that nitrogen applied as urea dis-

played maximum crude protein in wheat flour, also urea

retained in the soil for longer time resulted that plants

have more chance for uptake and hence improved the

B. Saeed et al. / Natural Science 5 (2013) 1012-1018 1017

crude protein contents in the flour. Matching results were

reported by [7] who proposed that nitrogen application in

the form of urea enhanced the crude protein contents in

wheat flour. The results of planned comparison of the

fertilizer treatment on two varieties also proposed sig-

nificant affect of sulfur alone treatment on crude protein

contents. Reason for the concern observation may be due

that sulfur application either as foliar spray or through

soil application modified dough mixing properties and

enhanced protein storage in grain which resulted in better

bread making characteristics. Nitrogen and sulfur appli-

cation enhanced the potential of the crop for good mois-

ture absorption which contributed in quality assessment

characters of flour. These observations are in agreement

with those of [4], who reported that wheat grown under

different nitrogen and sulfur levels produced grain with

varying protein and moisture contents. The probable rea-

son may be that when moisture contents are available

and sulfur supply is also sufficient then there is enhance-

ment in grain protein content which further improved the

flour quality. These results are similar with those of [11]

who explained very high grain protein contents can be

attained through sufficient moisture and nitrogen con-

tents availability. Sulfur has the ability to improve the

moisture contents of wheat flour which ultimately pro-

moted the rheological properties of flour. These results

are in line with those of [12] who proposed that sulfur

positively affects the development, stability, softening

and quality of dough as well as bread volume.

The calculated mean values of fertilizer treatments fit-

ted against clustered columns showed that significant dif-

ferences were recorded among the mean values of all the

fertilizer treatment for crop growth rate. It is evident

from the data that there is a consistent increased in dry

matter accumulation of the crop from sowing to physio-

logical maturity with different fertilizer treatments ap-

plication. The reason may be that crop growth rate was

increased by both nitrogen and sulfur application both as

foliar and soil application and the interaction between

both the nutrients were evident after anthesis. Addition of

nitrogen and sulfur enhanced CGR from emergence to

anthesis and then declined at later sampling intervals. It

is matching to what was reported in other studies [13],

who explained that sulfur effects were evident between

anthesis and physiological maturity increasing CGR by

51%. Therefore the positive interactions between nitro-

gen and sulfur in higher nitrogen use efficiency when the

crop had no sulfur deficiency. The probable reason may

be that there was a significant interaction between both

the nutrients for CGR, the response to nitrogen fertiliza-

tion was different depending on sulfur fertilization. The

higher the nitrogen rate the greater the effect of sulfur

addition for growth rate of crop. These results fit well

with those of [11], who reported that CGR increased be-

fore anthesis with the addition of nitrogen with some

impact of sulfur.

The mean values of fertilizer treatments drawn in col-

umn graph presented that significant differences were

recorded among the mean values of all the fertilizer

treatments for absolute growth rate. It is clear from the

data that there is a sequential increased in dry matter

accumulation of the crop from sowing to physiological

maturity with different fertilizer treatments application.

Sulfur and nitrogen fertilization increased AGR from

emergence to anthesis and then decreased at later sam-

pling periods. These results are similar to what was ob-

served in other research [14], who proposed that the AGR

was affected by the type and method of fertilizer applica-

tion during all plant growing periods. At the first growth

period from transplanting to flowering, application of

nitrogen increased AGR. The reason may be that there

was a significant association between nitrogen and sulfur

for AGR. These reports are in line with those of [15],

who observed that AGR increased with efficient utilize-

tion of radiation use efficiency as well as various nitro-

gen levels at different growth stages of wheat crop, while

control treatment was observed with minimum AGR.

From the mean of planned comparison of the two varie-

ties recorded significant association of no fertilizer vs.

fertilizer treatment. Likewise sulfur alone effect for AGR

also presented significant results.

5. CONCLUSION

This work proposed that foliar and soil application of

nitrogen and sulfur at various growth stages of wheat

improved the rheological properties of dough, extensibil-

ity of flour and ultimately bread making quality of wheat.

The fertilization of nitrogen and sulfur at anthesis stage

enhanced the gluten content as well as improved the

moisture absorption ability of grain. It was also con-

cluded that foliar application of nitrogen at tillering stage

influenced the leaf architecture by maximizing the LAI.

Simultaneous application of nitrogen and sulfur also

hastened the dry matter accumulation which resulted in

maximum CGR at anthesis and after anthesis stages of

growth.

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The main author is thankful to Higher Education Commission (HEC)

who awarded me scholarship under Indigenous scholarship scheme for

completion of my PhD program and also provided me the opportunity

to visit China under IRSIP scholarship. My cordial thanks are also due

to Zhejiang University, China for providing services to write this

manuscript. I am also thankful to my parent institute, The University of

Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan for their support to conduct this re-

search.

B. Saeed et al. / Natural Science 5 (2013) 1012-1018

1018

[8] Salvagiotti, F. and Miralles, D. (2008) Radiation intercep-

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