Evaluation of some agronomic characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Pishgam) under application of nitrogen fertilizer and plant-derived smoke

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

10.22034/plant.2025.143174.1149

Abstract

Introduction: Wheat, as the most important strategic crop worldwide, plays a key role in ensuring food security. The increasing global demand for this crop, coupled with water scarcity, soil degradation, and the impacts of climate change, has highlighted the urgent need for innovative and sustainable strategies to enhance yield and improve input use efficiency. Nitrogen fertilizer is one of the most effective management tools for increasing wheat productivity; however, its excessive application not only reduces economic efficiency but also imposes adverse environmental effects. Smoke water, derived from the combustion of plant residues, and its butenolide compounds have significant effects on different aspects of plant growth and crop performance. Previous studies have indicated that these compounds, as a novel class of plant growth regulators, can be used as a supplement or alternative to excessive chemical fertilizer application. In this study, with an emphasis on maintaining food security and improving the quality of wheat crops, the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and smoke water on some agronomic characteristics and grain yield were evaluated under field conditions.
Materials and methods: In order to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and SW on the agrophysiological characteristics of wheat cv. Pishgam, a field experiment, was conducted as a split plot based on a complete randomized block design with three replications in an irrigated wheat field located in the Sarab-e-Niloufar rural district, a subdivision of Kermanshah County. In this study application of nitrogen fertilizer in four levels (including 60, 80, 100, and 120 kg ha-1) was assigned to the main factor, and five SW concentrations (including Control, 1:1500, 1:1000, 1:500 and 1:100 (v/v)) were assigned to the subfactor. Initially, 60 kg.ha-1 of nitrogen was uniformly applied to all plots. The remaining amounts (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg.ha-1) were top-dressed at Zadoks growth stage 25. The required SW was prepared using a mixture of alfalfa forage and wheat straw. Foliar applications were carried out at three growth stages: Zadoks 25, 35, and 45. The evaluated traits included plant height, spike length, number of spikes per square meter, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index. Data analysis was conducted using SAS software, and mean comparisons were performed using the LSD method.
Results: The results indicated that increasing nitrogen levels significantly enhanced plant height, number of spikes per square meter, biological yield, and grain yield. Smoke-water application significantly increased all measured traits except 1000-grain weight. Significant interaction effects between nitrogen fertilizer and smoke-water were observed for plant height, spike length, number of spikes per square meter, 1000-grain weight, and biological yield. The highest biological yield was obtained from the treatment combination of 120 kg.ha-1 nitrogen and foliar application of smoke-water at a concentration of 1:1000 (v/v). Grain yield increased by 32.88% and 50.96% at the nitrogen rate of 120 kg.ha-1 and smoke-water concentrations of 1:500 (v/v), respectively. Foliar application of smoke-water at a concentration of 1:100 (v/v) resulted in an 8.16% increase in harvest index.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the combined application of smoke-water and nitrogen fertilizer, through physiological synergistic effects, improved vegetative growth, enhanced yield components, increased harvest index, and ultimately promoted grain yield. The use of smoke-water as a biostimulant can reduce dependence on chemical inputs and represent an effective strategy toward sustainable nutrient management and increased wheat cv. Pishgam production under field conditions.

Keywords

References

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Plant Production and Genetics
Volume 6, Issue 2 - Serial Number 10
February 2026
Pages 301-312

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