Mutual Application of Organic and Nitrogen Fertilizers Enhances Wheat Productivity and Macro-Nutrients Uptake Under Mediterranean Conditions

Un-integrated fertilization and decreasing soil fertility are some of the challenges to achieving an increase in crop productivity and food security in a sustainable way. Keeping balanced fertilization and soil fertile is vital. To overcome these problems, a field experiment was conducted at Dar-Ramad experimental farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Egypt, during the two winter seasons of 2016/17 and 2017/18 to evaluate the complementary effect of compost (without, 2 and 3 ton feddan−1, feddan = 4200 m2) and mineral nitrogen fertilizer (N) rates (30, 45 and 60 kg feddan−1) on yield, its components and nitrogen, phosphorus as well as potassium (NPK) uptake in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Miser-1). Generally, in most cases, the highest significant values of wheat yield and its components along with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) uptake in grain, straw and biological yields were recorded by applying compost compared to without addition. Highest significant values of the former above traits were achieved by individual application of compost at a rate of 2 or 3 ton feddan−1 and also mineral nitrogen fertilizer (N) rate of 45 or 60 kg feddan−1. Exogenous application of compost with a rate of 2 or 3 ton feddan−1 along with mineral nitrogen (N) rate of 45 and 60 kg feddan−1 improved almost all the studied traits. Findings suggested that application of 3 ton compost feddan−1 with 45 or 60 kg N feddan−1 was more effective combination in maximizing wheat productivity, grain protein and NPK uptake under Mediterranean climatic conditions.