Effect of sprinkler irrigation and nitrogen fertilisation on the yield and baking value of spring wheat grain

The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect and interaction of sprinkler irrigation and nitrogen fertilisation on the grain yield and baking value of ‘Monsun’ spring wheat cultivar grown in light compacted soil. A field experiment was performed in 2013-2014 in an experimental field of the Department of Land Improvement and Agrometeorology, the UTP University of Science and Technology, at Mochełek, in the vicinity of Bydgoszcz. It was found that sprinkler irrigation significantly increased the spring wheat grain yield. The grain from sprinkler-irrigated stands demonstrated greater plumpness; it contained significantly less protein and gluten and showed a lower sedimentation value, as compared with the grain of non-sprinkler-irrigated plants. However, the protein yield produced under sprinkler irrigation conditions was on average 11% higher, compared to the control conditions. The effect of nitrogen fertilisation on the spring wheat grain yield and quality corre¬spond to earlier findings. Similarly to other research reports, a regular yield increase and enhanced quality of baking features along with an increase in the nitrogen rate were identified. Considering the quantitative and baking features of the grain yield, it was found that the optima nitrogen fertilisation rate in ‘Monsun’ spring wheat, in both water variants, was 180 kg.ha-1 (pre-sowing 120 kg .ha-1 and top dressing 60 kg ha-1).