Agrotechnology

Nitrogen Fertilizer Influence on Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grain Yield and Grain Quality Production under Non-Chernozem Soils of Central Russia: A Review

Congera Alexandre^1,2*, Barry Mamadou², Nazih Yacer Rebouh², Vvedensky Valentin Valentinovich² and Petr M Polityko^{3 1}Department of Agricultural Science, Institute of Agronomic Sciences of Burundi (ISABU), Bujumbura, Burundi
²Department of Agriculture Science, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russian Federation
³Department of Agricultural Science, Nemchinovka Federal Research Center, Moscow, Russian Federation
^*Correspondence: Congera Alexandre, Department of Agricultural Science, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Email:

Received: 06-Oct-2022, Manuscript No. AGT-22-18244; Editor assigned: 10-Oct-2022, Pre QC No. AGT-22-18244 (PQ); Reviewed: 24-Oct-2022, QC No. AGT-22-18244; Revised: 31-Oct-2022, Manuscript No. AGT-22-18244 (R); Published: 07-Nov-2022, DOI: 10.35248/2168-9881.22.11.288

Introduction

Progressive growth in the human population is a fact, and it will reach at least nine billion by 2050 [1]. The food gap can be covered by several actions, but the most important and effective are both the increase in yields of crops, and area of arable soils. In the past, the first factor was responsible for 55%-60% increase in the food production [2]. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most important cereal crop in world and is the staple food for humans. Wheat is one of the most important crops in the world that can cover the food gap [3]. In Russia, winter wheat represents important production with a significant proportion in the whole agricultural system [4]. Grain is used as the staple source for production of bread [5]. The yielding potential of this crop is high. But the world average yield of wheat is drastically lower and amounts to only 3.2 t/ha (FAOSTAT, 2021). It can be, therefore, concluded that the exploration of the yielding potential of wheat on a global scale is not sufficient.

Among the fertilizers, Nitrogen (N) is the most important nutrient for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and can improve grain yield and quality of winter wheat [6]. Managing N inputs in wheat production systems is an important issue to achieve maximum profitable production and minimum negative environmental impact. Nitrogen (N) is often the most deficient of all the plant nutrients. Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient for winter wheat production that affects the rapid plant growth and improves grain yield. Wheat is very sensitive to insufficient nitrogen and very responsive to nitrogen fertilization.

The most important role of N in the plant is its presences in the structure of protein, the most important building substances from which the living material or protoplasm of every cell is made. In addition, nitrogen is also found in chlorophyll, the green colouring matter of leaves. Chlorophyll enables the plant to transfer energy from sunlight by photosynthesis. Therefore, the nitrogen supply to the plant will influence the amount of protein, protoplasm and chlorophyll formed. In turn, this influences cell size and leaf area, and photosynthetic activity.

Plants grown with an adequate supply of nitrogen make rapid and thrifty growth and are dark green in colour. Leaf and stem development is stimulated. Insufficient nitrogen results in lighter green colour reduced tillering, and disturbance of normal cell growth division, and a decrease in rate and extent of protein synthesis. Because of this crop yields may also be greatly reduced. Excessive nitrogen causes lush succulent growth, resulting in greatly increased danger of lodging, delayed maturity, and greater susceptibility to diseases such as rusts, Septoria and powdery mildew.

Plants contain more nitrogen than any other essential elements derived from the soil. Plants take up nitrogen from the time the roots begin to function until all uptake of nutrients ceases with maturity. However, the largest amounts are taken up during early stages of growth, held for later use and translocate within the plant where needed, for example, to the kernels from the leaves and stem during maturation.

As nitrogen is an essential macronutrient for wheat growth and yield, fertilizer management is generally the most effective way to increase grain yield in winter wheat production [7]. Therefore, appropriate nitrogen fertilizer management is essential for a sustainable strategy to improve crop yield while reducing environmental risk [8]. An appropriate basal-topdressing ratio of nitrogen application is the most important component of nitrogen fertilizer management [9].

The government of the Russian Federation prioritizes food security for domestic agriculture. Therefore, there is a need to increase the production of agricultural crops to address the issue of food security, primarily using all the factors that influence such production. One of these factors revolves around the appropriate and timely use of mineral fertilizers in a more costefficient manner [10]. Winter wheat production remains central to the Russia’s agricultural system, with a significant land area dedicated to its production [11]. According to Esaulko et al., Russia produces winter wheat yield averaging about 30 t/ha, an amount that can increase to 60 t/ha depending on the adopted agricultural practices [12].

Winter wheat grain is one of the major cash crops in Russia. Studies show that winter wheat grain accounts for at least 70% of Russia's cash crop production, and one of the crops with the highest yields to Russia, compared to the crops planted in spring [13]. A survey by Sovencon Consultancy shows that the winter wheat grain dropped by 700,000 hectares in 2021 down from 2020 [14]. The reduction in production of winter wheat grain, albeit it’s potential in Russia justifies the need to evaluate the essence of nitrogen fertilizer use in enhancing its production.

Encouraging farmers to apply nitrogen fertilizers to winter wheat plantations is one of the strategies that has been implemented in a bid to improve the sustainability of the production of the grains, particularly the winter wheat grain [15]. In this regard, nitrogen fertilizers are one of the cost-effective techniques of enhancing winter wheat production in Russia. A study by the State Agricultural University conducted over a period of three years reported similar findings. These findings are stipulated in the journal article "Influence of Mineral Fertilizers on Winter Wheat Yield” by Alexander Karmatskiy and Ksenia Moiseeva [16].

The current research embraced a systematic literature review to establish the influence of nitrogen fertilizer application on the yield and quality of winter wheat grain in the Russian Federation. The current study utilized a systematic literature review approach, using the PRISMA Chart to identify and screen the relevant research articles. The authors identified the appropriate and valid sources from various databases, including CINHAL, agriculture/food-based Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and government databases, as well as credible sources from reputable journals.

Then, the flowchart highlights the systematic approach adopted by this review to select the relevant articles on the nitrogen fertilizer application and the yield and quality of winter wheat in Russia. Further, it highlights the critical assessment and exclusion process based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria adopted during the individual database reviews. As depicted in this model, 23 published articles met the inclusion criteria, primarily from primary research, and provided distinct and relevant features over other proprietary analyses in the field under review.

The current review was guided by the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. This study utilized sources on the influence of nitrogen fertilizer application and the yield and quality of winter wheat published in the English language only. The included sources were published between 2012 and 2021; thus, any source published before 2012 was excluded due to its invalidity. Only primary sources were used in this study, and review articles, among other secondary sources were excluded.

Literature Review

The current study reviewed several articles on the application of nitrogen fertilizer and the yield and quality of winter wheat under specific agricultural conditions. Given the importance of wheat crop in addressing food security in the Russian Federation, increasing the yield and quality of the food crop remains fundamental to achieving this goal. This study reviewed the existing literature to establish the influence of nitrogen fertilizer application on the quality and yield of winter wheat under Russian conditions.

Nitrogen fertilizer application and the yield and quality of winter wheat

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important nutrients for achieving large biomass and, indirectly, high yield. One of the main reasons is that N is the foundation for formation of proteins and therefore also the key enzyme that determines the extent of photosynthesis. Nitrogen (N) is the most abundant element in the atmosphere. However, it is one of the most limiting plant nutrients globally since it exists in the atmosphere in a form that cannot be used by plants. Through industrial fixation, N fertilizer has been synthetically produced to nourish plants, increase yield and improve harvest quality [17].

What to expect from a specific amount of N fertilizer in terms of yield depends on the plants’ total uptake of N, the variety’s efficiency when it comes to construction and maintenance of the photosynthetic machinery, genetic biomass potential and proportion of the total assimilate allocated to the grains.

A study by Zhang, et al. found that the 50% basal and 50% dressing fertilizer treatment significantly increased nitrogen accumulation post-anthesis and nitrogen translocation to grains. In addition, this treatment significantly increased flag leaf free amino acid levels, and nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activities, as well as the accumulation rate, active accumulation period, and accumulation of 1000-grain nitrogen. These factors all contributed to high grain nitrogen accumulation. Grain yield increased due to 50% basal and 50% dressing fertilizer ranging from 5.3% to 15.4% and protein yield from 13.7% to 31.6%. The grain and protein yields were significantly and positively correlated with nitrogen transport parameters, nitrogen metabolic enzyme activity levels, and grain nitrogen filling parameters [17].

Yesuf et al. used different levels of total N fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg N ha^-1) to see how grain yield responded to increasing N rates, indicated that increasing N fertilizer application rates significantly increased grain yield [13]. Grain yield increases were evident and followed a significant linear trend which implied that the maximum rate (200 kg N ha^-1) may not have been sufficient to attain the biological maximum yield [12].

Yaroslav Tsvey, Roman Ivanina and Vadym Ivanina conducted an experiment at the Bila Tserkva Research-Selection Station (Ukraine) during 2017-2019 indicated that winter wheat yield was significantly affected by all nitrogen fertilizer rates. The highest average grain yield was obtained with 110 kg ha^-1 nitrogen rate that combined application nitrogen to the frozen soil surface and the foliar feeding with 6.90 t ha^-1 [18]. According to them, a significant increase in grain protein content obtained was attributed to nitrogen rates of 80 kg and 110 kg ha^-1 and was less dependent on the weather conditions.

Evgeny Golosnoy, Alexander Esaulko, Alla Belovolova, Alena Ozheredova reported that nitrogen nutrition of winter wheat, and in particular its optimization, is one of the main factors for rational use of natural nitrogen reserves, maintaining soil fertility and reducing the negative effects of incorrect use of nitrogen fertilizers [15]. According to Esaulko et al. nitrogen nutrition of winter wheat is one of the main factors for rational use of natural nitrogen reserves, maintaining soil fertility and reducing the negative effects of incorrect use of nitrogen fertilizers [12].

Researchers Buráňová Š, Černý J, Mitura K, Lipińska KJ, Kovářík J. and Balík J evaluated winter wheat grain qualitative and yield parameters after the application of different organic and mineral fertilizers and found highest values of grain yield and bulk density after the use of nitrogen in mineral form [19].

Ivanina R. studied the influence of doses and methods of entering of nitrogen fertilizers on yield and quality of winter wheat grain and revealed that due to nitrogen fertilizers, the yield of winter wheat increased by 0.66 t/ha^-1.66 t/ha and the protein content grain increased by 0.5%-0.6% [20].

The findings of Zhaoming Chen, Huoyan Wang, Xiaowei Liu, Yongzhe Liu, Shuaishuai Gao and Jianmin Zhou revealed that N fertilizer applied increased grain yield by 15% and had a significant effect on grain yield, straw yield and aboveground biomass, as well as on N uptake and N concentration of wheat [6]. A similar study by Skudra and Ruza showed that Nitrogen application is one of the crucial factors for successful implementation of crop management practices used in wheat production system [21]. The results found by Litke and others indicated that winter wheat yield has been significantly affected by nitrogen fertilizer rate. Increase of nitrogen fertilizer rate secured significant increase of winter wheat grain quality indices [22].

The arable land of the Non-Chernozem Zone mostly constitutes sod-podzolic soils, which exhibit different fertility levels depending on the region. However, such soils have commonalities irrespective of the differences in fertility levels. These standard features include the low thickness of the humus horizon, low humus content, poor exchangeable calcium, and weak saturation of the absorbing complex with bases. Moreover, they are prone to crust formation and flooding, poorly structured, and have high density. The illuvial zones of their loamy and clayey varieties have low filtration coefficients. As a result, rainy periods make them overwetted, with extremely weak aeration. Generally, the soils here are distinctively low infertility. Sod-podzolic soils contain between 1.5 and 2% of humus. The assimilable potassium and phosphorus forms are also low in content in the arable and of this region.

Studies reviewed in this research report a positive correlation between the application of nitrogen fertilizers and the increased productivity and yield of winter wheat of the Central part of the Non-Chernozem Zone of the Russian Federation. Suppose nitrogen fertilizers were applied as recommended by the ministry of agriculture in Russia, there would be a high likelihood that the wheat yield production between the years 2021 and 2022 would increase significantly. For instance, as per the ministry, if there is an appropriate application of nitrogen and all mineral fertilizers in their recommended amounts, Russian farmers in Moscow are likely to experience an increase in productivity from 10.8 million hectares to 19 million hectares [14].

It is wise to note that applying nitrogen fertilizers could be the possible solution for increased winter wheat productivity and quality among Russian farmers, particularly in the Central part of the Non-Chernozem Zone. Typically, the mineral fertilizers contain particular nutrients, including but not limited to nitrogen. When applied appropriately and in the correct dose, nitrogen fertilizers increase the soil's nitrogen content, boost the productivity and quality of winter wheat in the non-Chernozem region of Central Russia. Golosnoy, et al. highlight the essence of nitrogen nutrition in enhancing winter wheat production in non-Chernozem soils of central Russia [5]. The use of nitrogen fertilizers in correct proportions increases the glassiness and the content of gluten in winter wheat in the Non-Chernozem Zone, thereby increasing the quality of the grain. Gostev et al. reported that low rates of mineral fertilizer applications increased the gluten content of different variants of winter wheat. Study findings show that an increase of 1.5-fold of the fertilizer dose increases grain quality indicators by 0.7 and 0.9 times. However, it is worth noting that the highest rates of raising in N64P78K78 application the winter wheat yield rather than the quality by up to 45% [23].

According to Ismailov et al., there is a justifiable need to increase the yield and quality of winter wheat, primarily because of its importance in the Russian agricultural and economic systems. Applying nitrogen fertilizers under suitable conditions is critical in achieving high-quality winter wheat [24]. The 17% nitrogen content of winter wheat emphasizes the importance of the nutrient in the development of winter wheat. Studies conducted in regions with large-scale winter wheat plantations highlight nitrogen nutrition as a special requirement for the crop [5]. In addition to increasing the quality of winter wheat, the application of mineral fertilizers enhances the productivity of the food crop across all soils.

Recent research reported an increase in the fibrin content of the winter wheat after applying nitrogen fertilizers. A four-year study by Esaulko et al. on the use of mineral fertilizers on winter wheat in leached chernozem soils associated an increase in fibrin content with the application of the fertilizers [12]. Ideally, the findings showed that fibrin content increased from 2.4% to 9.9% compared to the control sample, particularly after using nitrogen fertilizers. The high-quality fibrin yield in nonchernozem soils depended on the rates of nitrogen fertilizer application, an outcome that concurs with several studies reviewed in this article.

The deficiencies in the nutrient content of the non-Chernozem soils justify the essence of nitrogen fertilizer application to enhance the quality and productivity of winter wheat. The quality indicators prioritized here include the physical, biological, chemical, and consumer characteristics that define the grain's feasibility for a specific use. Sultanov et al. highlighted that applying nitrogen fertilizers in appropriate quantities is a prerequisite to optimal yields and enhanced quality of winter wheat in non-Chernozem soils of Central Russia. For instance, 3.5 tons of mineral fertilizers can increase the gluten content by 32.3% and crude protein by 15.8% [25].

Discussion and Conclusion

There is a significant relationship between the application of nitrogen fertilizers and the yield and quality of winter wheat in the non-Chernozem region of Central Russia. The studies reviewed in this research show that the appropriate nitrogen fertilizers increase the quality and yield of winter wheat in this region. The aspects of quality highlighted herein include the fibrin, crude protein, and gluten contents. The nutrient deficiency of the arable land in the non-Chernozem zone justifies the essence of nitrogen fertilizer application to boost the yield and quality of the winter wheat. The data indicate the possibility of a significant increase in the quality and productivity of the winter wheat grain and other valuable economic properties of the winter wheat upon the use of nitrogen fertilizers during cultivation. The most effective was 3- times application of nitrogen fertilizers. The approach of terms of the application of nitrogen fertilizers to the stages of the formation of productive stalks and the accumulation of protein in the grain of winter wheat provided the highest return from fertilizer use.

Compliance with the Ethical Standards

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The current article does not contain any studies involving animals or human participants performed by any of the authors. The authors upheld ethical standards in the process of conducting the review. Every idea borrowed from a source was acknowledged by making in-text citations and references. The authors ensured the de-identification of the data before release for publication, and no distress or damage was caused.

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