International Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science IJPBCS

Vol. 5(1), pp. 335-343, February, 2018. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: XXXX-XXXX

Research Article

Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Application on

Concentration and Uptake of Respective Element by
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at North Shoa, Koticho
kebele, Central Highlands of Ethiopia
Alemu Dugassa Jorgo
Salale University, Department of Plant Science, Fiche, Ethiopia
Email: alemudug@gmail.com Cell Phone: +251-912-214387 Fax: +251-111609320

Field study was conducted in 2015 cropping season in North Shoa, Central Highlands of Ethiopia.
The objectives of the study were determining the N and P concentration in plant parts and their
uptake by wheat. The treatment contained four level of N (0, 32, 64 and 96 kg/ha) and four level of
P (0, 23, 46 and 69kg P2O5/ha) which were arranged in a randomized complete block design with
three replications. The source of N and P were urea and TSP, respectively. Wheat variety, Digelu,
was used as a test crop. Interaction of N by P produced highly significant difference on the
concentration of N and P in the grain, concentration of P in the straw, P uptake by grain and total
P uptake by wheat. Similarly, highly significant differences were observed on the concentration
of N and P in the grain, concentration of N and P in the straw, P uptake by the grain, and total P
uptake by wheat due to main effect N and P. Nitrogen uptake by straw and grain as well as total
uptake were also highly significant only due to main effect N. Phosphorus uptake was only
significant due to main effect N.

Key words: N concentration, P concentration, straw, grain, total uptake.

INTRODUCTION

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops globally
and is a staple food for about one third of the world’s
population (Hussain et al., 2002). In Ethiopia, it is grown
annually on 1.68 million ha with a total production of 3.08
million tons which makes the country the largest wheat
producer in sub-Saharan Africa (CSA, 2010). However,
low soil fertility, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)
deficiency, is one of the major constraints limiting wheat
production in Ethiopian Highlands (Tanner et al., 1993;
Teklu and Hailemariam, 2009).
Nitrogen is one of the most yield-limiting nutrients for crop
production in the world. It is also the nutrient element
applied in the largest quantity for most annual crops
(Huber and Thompson, 2007). Use of inorganic N
fertilizers has had its most substantial beneficial effect on
human health by increasing the yield of field crops and
nutritional quality of foods needed to meet dietary
requirements and food preferences for growing world
populations (Galloway and Cowling, 2002; Galloway et al.,
2002). Nitrogen plays a vital role in increasing the yield of
a crop (Minale et al., 2005). High N supply favors the
conversion of carbohydrates into proteins, which in turn,
promotes the formation of protoplasm (Arnon, 1972).
Nitrogen comprises 7% of total dry matter of plants and is
a constituent of many fundamental cell components, such
as nucleic acids, amino acids, enzymes, and
photosynthetic pigments (Bungard et al., 1999).

Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Application on Concentration and Uptake of Respective Element by Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at North Shoa, Koticho kebele, Central Highlands of Ethiopia
Alemu Jorgo 336
Phosphorus is the second most essential element for crop
production and it is deficient in most soils around the world
(Brady and Weil, 2002). It has been shown that adequate
P enhances many aspects of plant physiology like
fundamental process of photosynthesis, flowering, seed
formation and maturation (Brady and Weil, 2002; Salisbury
and Ross, 1992).
Nitrogen and P are considered as the most deficient
nutrients in soils of Ethiopia (Asnakew et al., 1991;
Anonymous, 2000). This indicates that N and P are the
most yield limiting factors of cereals including wheat
production.
Soil fertility status varies among adjacent farms or plots
mainly due to individual farmer’s soil management
practices. Productivity of the crop in the country is
generally low compared to the potential of this crop.
According to FAO (2002), declining of soil fertility has been
identified as one of the most important constraints to limit
food production in Ethiopia, in particular and in Africa in
general. This low productivity can be enhanced through
improved crop management practices, including
application of fertilizers. Fertilizers play a pivotal role in
increasing yield and improving the quality of crops. High
yielding wheat varieties demand adequate nutrient supply
to produce maximum grain yield (Ali and Yasin, 1991).
Best experiences in some bread wheat producing areas of
Ethiopia like Bale and Arsi zones showed that the yield of
bread wheat can be maximized beyond 4 t/ha by using N
and P fertilizers as high as 6-8 t/ha integrated with other
better crop management options.
In view of the above findings, information related to N and
P fertilizer recommendation in the study area is limited.
Therefore, the objectives of this research were;
• To determine N and P concentration in wheat
and their uptake by grain and straw
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Site Description
The experiment was conducted in 2015 cropping season
at Koticho Kebele, central highlands of Ethiopia. It is
located at 2,738 m above sea level. The soil of the
experimental site is slightly acidic and has high organic
matter content. The soil texture of an area is clayey. Eight
years data from Ethiopian Meteorological Agency (2007-
2014) indicated that the area receives average annual
rainfall of 1179.36 mm and has minimum and maximum
temperatures of 8.29 and 20.50°C, respectively.
Experimental Materials
Improved variety of wheat, Digelu, released in 2005 by
Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center, was used as a test
Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Application on Concentration and Uptake of Respective Element by Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at North Shoa, Koticho kebele, Central Highlands of Ethiopia
crop. Nitrogen and P fertilizers were applied in the form of
urea and triple super phosphate (TSP), respectively.
Treatments and Experimental Design
The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of four
levels of N (0, 32, 64 and 96 kg/ha) and four levels of P (0,
23, 46 and 69 P2O5 kg/ha) arranged in RCBD with three
replications. Each plot consisted of 7 rows which are 20
cm apart and 3 m in length. Full dose of P (23, 46 and 69
P2O5 kg/ha) and half rate of N (16, 32 and 48 kg/ha) were
applied to the soil at the time of sowing and the remaining
half of N was applied at tillering stage.
Plant Sampling and Laboratory Analysis
Five plants along with their grains were taken from each
treatment and placed in to separate plastic bag. It was
then, labeled and transported to laboratory for further
preparation. Surface contaminants, such as dust, were
removed from the sample by washing it with 0.3%
detergent solution. It was allowed to dry at a temperature
of 60 to 70oC for 24 hours.
Concentration of N in grain and straw (%)
Kjeldahl procedure was used to determine total N in plant
parts (straw and grain). Half gram finely ground sample
was taken and placed in to digester. Then, it was digested
with NaOH. Acid digest was transferred to micro-kjeldahl
flasks using distilled water. Twenty ml boric acid solution
was measured and transferred to erlenmeyer flask. Two
drops of indicator solution was added to it and placed
under condenser to prevent loss of ammonia. Seventy five
ml of 40% NaOH was poured in to distillation flasks
containing digests and mixed gently. It was immediately
closed and then distillation started by heating the flask.
After about 80 ml had collected, receiver flask was
removed. Finally, the receiver flask solution was titrated
with 0.1 N H2SO4 from green to a pink end point and the
reading of the burette was recorded.
Concentration of P in grain and straw (%)
Wet digestion procedure was used to determine P in plant
parts (straw and grain). Twenty g ammonium molybdate
was dissolved by 25 ml distilled water in a 1 L volumetric
flask (solution 1). One and a quarter g of ammonium
metavanadate was also dissolved in 300 ml of distilled
water in a 1 L beaker (solution 2). Then, solution 2 was
added to solution 1 until it reached volume of distilled water
used. Five hundred ppm stock solution was obtained from
this mixture and further reduced to 100 ppm P solution.
From 100 ppm of the solution 10 ppm of P solution and
from 10 ppm, P working standards of zero, one, two, three,
four and five ppm P was determined. To determine P in
plant tissue, five ml of aliquote sample digest was poured
in to five ml volumetric flask, 10 ml of the molybdate and
 Int. J. Plant Breed. Crop Sci. 337

vanadate solution was added to it and kept for 10 minutes
for the color to develop, finally, observance using
spectrophotometer was read at a wave length of 460 nm.
Total uptake, grain uptake and straw uptake of N
between yield and yield components due to application of
N and P fertilizer rates. Least significant difference (LSD)
test at 5% probability was used for mean separation when
the analysis of variance indicated the presence of
significant differences.

Nitrogen uptake by plant parts was calculated by

multiplying the dry weight of plant parts with their N RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
concentration in those parts. Algebraically, it was
represented as fallow; Soil Physico-Chemical Properties of the Experimental
Site
NU (kg/ha) = dry weight of grain (kg/ha) x CNG (%)
CNG- is the ratio of N accumulated in grain to dry weight The soil of the study area is dominated by the clay fraction.
of the grain High clay content might indicate better water and nutrient
Where, NUG= N uptake by grain, CNG= concentration of holding capacity of the soil in the study area. Soil reaction
N in grain. of the experimental site is moderately acidic, which is
suitable range for most crops. The study area also has
NUS (kg/ha) = dry weight of straw (kg/ha) x CNS (%) medium/moderate OM content and moderate total N and
CNS- is the ratio of N accumulated in straw to dry weight available P. Generally, the soil of the study area is found
of the straw to be suitable for wheat production.
Where, NUS= Nitrogen uptake by straw, SNC=
Concentration of N in straw Concentration of nitrogen in wheat grain
TNU (kg/ha) = NUG (kg/ha) + NUS (kg/ha)
Where, TNU= Total N Uptake The mean squares due to main effects and N × P
interaction were highly significant (P < 0.01) for the
Total uptake, grain uptake and straw uptake of P concentration of N in wheat grains (Table 9).
Phosphorus uptake by plant parts was calculated by
multiplying the dry weight of plant parts with their P Mean comparison indicated that highest N accumulation in
concentration in those parts. Algebraically, it was grains (2.75%) was attained at 64/23 kg N/P2O5/ha, which
represented as fallow; was statistically similar with treatment combinations of
0/46 and 64/0 kg N/P2O5/ha. On the other hand, the lowest
PUG (kg/ha) = dry weight of grain (kg/ha) x CPG (%) N accumulation was recorded for treatment combination of
Where, PUG= Phosphorus uptake by grain, CPG= 0/69 kg N/P2O5/ha. This was also not significantly different
Concentration of P in grain. from treatments supplied with 0/23, 32/23, 32/46, 64/46
and 96/0 kg N/P2O5/ha (Table 1). This implies a positive
PUS (kg/ha) = dry weight of grain (kg/ha) x CPS (%) response of grain N concentration to N and P rate, which
Where, PUS= P uptake by straw, CPS= Concentration of might be due to NP supply resulted in increased uptake by
P in straw root which increases its concentration in plant parts. In line
TPU (kg/ha) = PUG (kg/ha) + PUS (kg/ha) with this, Dash et al. 2015 reported that grain N
Where, TPU= Total P Uptake concentration was increased with NP application. Other
studies have also found increased protein at greater NP
Data Analysis application rates (Olesen et al., 2000; Campbell et al.,
1977). Moreover, Halvorson et al., (2004) have indicated
Analyses of variances for the data recorded were done that grain protein content generally increased with
using GenStat program to determine the relationship increasing N rate.

Table 1: Concentration of N in wheat grains (%) as affected by interaction of N and P rates

P2O5 (Kg/ha)
N (kg/ha) 0 23 46 69 Mean
0 2.26cd 2.07abc 2.65f 1.92a 2.23
32 2.39de 2.07abc 2.06abc 2.15bc 2.17
64 2.60ef 2.75f 2.00ab 2.38d 2.43
96 2.10abc 2.37d 2.13bc 2.22cd 2.21
Mean 2.34 2.32 2.21 2.17
LSD (5%) 0.21
CV (%) 5.60
SEM (±) 0.07
Means followed by the same letters are not significantly different (P < 0.05).

Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Application on Concentration and Uptake of Respective Element by Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at North Shoa, Koticho kebele, Central Highlands of Ethiopia
Alemu Jorgo 338

Table 2: Concentration of N in wheat straw as affected by N and P application

N (Kg/ha) Concentration of N in straw (%)
0 0.31a
32 0.43b
64 0.489bc
96 0.494c
P2O5 (kg/ha)
0 0.38a
23 0.41ab
46 0.48c
69 0.45bc
LSD (5%) 0.06
CV (%) 16.20
SEM (±) 0.02
Means followed by the same letters for a variable are not significantly different (P < 0.05).
Table 3: Concentration of P (%) in wheat grains as affected by interaction of N and P rates
P2O5 (Kg/ha)
N (kg/ha) 0 23 46 69 Mean
0 0.28a 0.48f 0.47f 0.36d 0.40
32 0.30b 0.44e 0.60h 0.48f 0.46
64 0.32c 0.52g 0.48f 0.64i 0.49
96 0.28a 0.28a 0.28a 0.66j 0.38
Mean 0.30 0.43 0.46 0.54
LSD (5%) 0.02
CV (%) 2.20
SEM (±) 0.01
Means followed by the same letters are not significantly different (P < 0.05).

Concentration of nitrogen in straw of wheat
There were highly significant (P<0.01) differences due to
main effects, but non-significant differences were
observed due to N x P interaction on N concentration in
straw (Table: 9).
The concentration of N in straw increased significantly with
the increase in N and P2O5 application, over the control.
The N concentration of straw varied from 0.31% to 0.49%
due to N application. The highest straw N concentration
(0.494%) due to main effect of N was observed in
treatment of 96 kg N/ha. The next highest straw N
concentration (0.489%) was obtained at 64 kg N/ha and
both were significantly higher than 0 N application. The
lowest straw N concentration (0.31%) was obtained from 0
N treatments. The straw N concentration ranged from
0.38% to 0.48% due to main effect of P. The highest N
content (0.48%) was observed for 46 P2O5 kg/ha, which
was statistically the same with 69 kg P2O5/ha. The lowest
N concentration (0.38%) was found for treatment with 0
P2O5/ha (Table 2). This implies that concentrations of N in
the wheat straw varied in relation to the amount of N and
P applied to the soil. This might be due to the fact that
increase in N supply resulted in increased uptake by root
which increases its concentration in plant parts and
increase in P level also resulted in increase in N in plant
parts due to synergetic relation between the two elements.
The result was in agreement with the findings of Parvez et
al. (2008) who showed that maximum N concentrations in
straw was 6.13 g/kg when the crop was supplied with 180
kg N/ha and the lowest N concentration (1.6 g/kg) in straw
was, however, recorded for the control treatment. Raghbir
et al. (2004) have also observed that N concentration of
Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Application on Concentration and Uptake of Respective Element by Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at North Shoa, Koticho kebele, Central Highlands of Ethiopia
wheat grain and straw increased significantly and
subsequently with increasing doses up to 40 mg P/kg soil
application. Similar results were also reported by Rahman
et al. (2005) and Yohannes (2014).
Concentration of P in wheat grains
The concentration of P in wheat grain was significantly
(P<0.01) affected by the main effects and interactions of N
and P (Table: 9).
The highest P concentration (0.66%) was recorded for
N/P2O5 of 96/69 kg/ha, which was statistically different
from all treatment combinations. On the other hand, the
lowest P concentration in grains (0.28%) was attained at
96/46 N/P2O5 kg/ha, which was statistically identical with
the control (0/0), 96/0 and 96/23 N/P2O5 kg/ha (Table 3).
Plant roots having wider contact with soil are better
extractors of P from the soil and feed well to above ground
plant parts. This is especially true for plant with extensive
root systems (Tisdale et al. 1993). It has been reported that
adequate P concentration in wheat grain is 0.42 percent
(PPI, 1995). Plots receiving 0/23, 32/23, 64/23, 0/46,
32/46, 64/46, 32/69, 64/69 and 96/69 kg N/P 2O5
accumulated more than adequate P concentration in
wheat grain. The present result revealed that grain P
concentration values were higher at higher NP
combination. This may probably be attributed to optimum
NP supply resulted in increased P uptake by root which
increases its concentration in plant parts. These results
are supported by the findings of Kabir et al. (2011) who
reported that the highest P concentration in wheat grain
was found in the treatment fertilized with NP of 140/40
kg/ha and the lowest P value was recorded for the control
treatment.
 Int. J. Plant Breed. Crop Sci. 339

Table 4: Concentration (%) of P in wheat straw as affected by the interaction of N and P

P2O5 (Kg/ha)
N (kg/ha) 0 23 46 69
0 9.33x10-2abcd 17.67x10-2g 12.00x10-2cde 7.67x10-2a
-2 -2
32 11.00x10 bcde 14.00x10 ef 16.00x10-2fg 14.00x10-2ef
64 8.33x10-2ab 14.00x10-2ef 8.00x10-2ab 8.67x10-2ab
-2 -2
96 9.00x10 abc 8.67x10 ab 12.33x10-2de 8.67x10-2ab
LSD (5%) 3.12x10-2
CV (%) 16.70
SEM (±) 1.08x10-2
Means followed by the same letters are not significantly different (P < 0.05).

Table 5: Grain, straw and total N uptake of wheat as affected by N and P rates
N uptake by wheat
N (kg/ha) N uptake by wheat grains (%) straw (%) Total N uptake (%)
0 53.37a 9.240a 62.61a
32 54.27a 12.81b 67.08ab
64 64.41b 12.14ab 76.56b
96 72.48b 16.19c 88.67c
LSD (5%) 9.24 3.03 9.58
P2O5 (Kg/ha)
0 65.08 11.78 76.86
23 60.04 11.67 71.71
46 63.20 11.67 77.75
69 56.21 12.39 68.60
LSD (5%) ns ns ns
CV (%) 18.10 28.80 3.32
SEM (±) 3.20 1.05 15.60
ns= non significant differences among treatment means; Means followed by the same letters with in a column for a
given treatment level are not significantly different (P < 0.05).

Concentration of P in straw of wheat
The main effect of N and P as well as their interaction
resulted in highly significant (P < 0.01) differences in
concentration of P in wheat straw (Table: 9).
The concentration of P was the highest (17.67x10-2%) in
straws for 0/23 kg/ha N/P2O5, which was not statistically
different from treatments supplied with 32 kg N and 46 kg
P2O5/ha. On the other hand, lowest concentration
(7.67x10-2%) was recorded for plots fertilized with 0 N and
69 kg P2O5/ha. However, the results obtained from
treatment combinations of 64/46, 64/69, 96/69, 96/23, 96/0
and 64/0 kg/ha N/ P2O5 and control (0/0) were not
significantly different from the lowest value and from each
other (Table 4). In agreement with this result, the findings
of Kabir et al. (2011) indicated that highest P concentration
in wheat straw was observed for treatments fertilized with
40/20 kg N/P /ha and the lowest P concentration in straw
was found in the control treatment. Dash et al. (2015) also
reported that content of P varied from 0.12% to 0.18% in
straw with fertilizers containing N and P whereas skipping
the P application, although the soil is rich in available P,
influence its accumulation.
Nitrogen uptake by wheat grains
Nitrogen uptake by grains was significantly (P<0.01)
affected by N fertilizer application. However, there was no
significant effect due to P and interaction between N and
P (Table: 9).
Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Application on Concentration and Uptake of Respective Element by Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at North Shoa, Koticho kebele, Central Highlands of Ethiopia
The highest (72.48 kg/ha) and lowest (53.37 kg/ha) N
uptake was obtained due to 96 and 0 kg N/ha, respectively.
Uptake by 64 and 96 kg N/ha was significantly higher than
0 and 32 kg N/ha. Grain N uptake of wheat with 96 kg N/ha
was 26.37% more than those with 0 kg N/ha. However, the
result was par with the next higher level of N (64 kg N/ha).
Similarly, 0 and 32 kg N/ha also did not significantly differ
from each other. The result further illustrated that
increased N rates resulted in increased N uptake by grains
(Table 5). Since the grain is the main sink for N after
anthesis, the sources of grain N are the vegetative organs
which accumulate N prior to grain filling and N uptake
during the grain-filling period (Cox et al., 1985). In line with
this, N uptake was significantly decreased in absence of N
as compared to P. Muhammad et al. (2011) and Genene
(2003) obtained similar results showing that N uptake by
wheat genotype was enhanced varying from 36.5 to 139.8
kg/ha as N application rate increased from 120 to 180
kg/ha.
Nitrogen uptake by wheat straw
Nitrogen uptake due to main effect of N was highly
significant (P<0.01). However, there was non-significant
difference due to main effect of P and its interaction with N
(Table: 9).
Maximum N uptake by straw (16.19 kg/ha) was recorded
from application of 96 kg N/ha, whereas the minimum
value (9.24 kg/ha) was from 0 kg N/ha. The next highest
straw N uptake was obtained at 32 kg N/ha, which was
significantly higher than N concentration for the control, but
Alemu Jorgo 340
Table 6: P uptake by wheat grain (kg/ha) as affected by interaction of N and P
P2O5 (Kg/ha)
N (kg/ha) 0 23 46 69 Mean
0 6.80a 11.92ef 12.03ef 7.38ab 9.52
32 7.77ab 11.51def 15.00g 11.13cdef 11.35
64 9.84bcde 11.93ef 13.55fg 15.71g 12.76
96 8.66abcd 8.40abc 9.96bcde 22.72h 12.43
Mean 8.27 10.94 12.64 14.34
LSD (5%) 2.94
CV (%) 15.30
SEM (±) 1.02
Means followed by the same letters are not significantly different (P < 0.05).

par with 64 kg N/ha (Table 5). Muhammad et al (2011)
have reported that N uptake by a wheat genotype was
enhanced varying from 36.5 to 139.8 kg/ha as N
application rate increased from 120 to 180 kg/ha. Similarly,
Yohannes (2014) reported that the uptake of N by wheat
and concentration in the tissues were increased by
increase in N levels.
Total N uptake by wheat
The main effect of N fertilizer was highly significant
(P<0.01) for total N uptake. However, P application and its
interaction with N did not affect this parameter (Table: 9).
The range of total N uptake by wheat due to main effect of
N was 62.61 to 88.67 kg/ha. The highest total N uptake
(88.67 kg/ha) was recorded for 96 kg N /ha, while the
lowest value (62.61 kg/ha) was found for 0 N/ha (Table 5).
The result showed that total N uptake both by grain and
straw was more significantly increased with increased
application of N fertilizer. Osaki et al. (1992) and Shinano
et al. (1994) reported that the amount of N accumulated in
cereal and legume species showed a highly positive
correlation with the total dry matter production at harvest.
These authors further reported that N accumulation is one
of the most important factors in improving yield of field
crops. This may probably be due to application of N
creates concentration gradients inside and outside plant
system which force it to move from the soil in to plant
system and then increases its uptake by plant. This result
is also supported by the findings of Bereket et al. (2014)
who reported that total N and P uptakes of wheat
increased with increasing rates of N and P, respectively.
Similar result has also been reported by Willington and
Biscoe (1984) who indicated that as the N rate increases
to the level of 138 kg/ha the total uptake of N by plant also
increased.
Phosphorus uptake by wheat grains
The main effects and their interaction produced highly
significant differences (<0.01) in phosphorus uptake by
grains (Table: 9).
The results presented in Table 6 showed that P uptake of
grains differed significantly due to different treatment
combinations, with the range varied from 6.8 to 22.7 kg
P2O5/ha. The highest P uptake (22.7 kg P2O5/ha) was
recorded for the treatment with 96 kg N and 69 kg P2O5/ha,
and was statistically different from the rest of treatment
combinations. The lowest P uptake was recorded from
control treatment (Table 6). It was found that each
additional level of P along with N had increased its uptake
by wheat grains. This result was also closely related to the
findings of Kabir et al. (2011) who reported that the highest
P uptake (8.14 kg/ha) by grain was recorded for the
treatment receiving N/P of 100/30 kg/ha, whereas the
lowest P uptake was recorded for the control treatment. It
is also in agreement with those findings reported by Van
Keulen and Stol (1991).
Phosphorus uptake by wheat straw
Phosphorus uptake due to main effect of N showed
significant (P<0.05) difference. However, application of P
and its interaction with N did not affect this parameter
(Table: 9).
The highest P uptake (4.06 kg/ha) was recorded from 32
kg N/ha, which was statistically at par with the values
recorded for the control and 96 kg N /ha. On the other
hand, the lowest P uptake (2.42kg/ha) was recorded from
64 kg N/ha, which was also not significantly different from
96 kg N/ha. Even though total P uptake by straw of wheat
was non-significant due to main effect of P, compared to
the control treatment, the uptake was a little bit higher at
higher P level except for 69 kg P2O5/ha (Table 7). In line
with this, Bereket et al. (2014) indicated N and P uptakes
of wheat increased with an increasing rate of respective
nutrients. Similarly, Muhammad et al. (2011) also reported
that uptake of both N and P was significantly affected by
their respective fertilizer rates.
Table 7: Phosphorus uptake by wheat straw (kg/ha) as affected
by N and P application
N Rate (kg/ha) P uptake by wheat straw (kg/ha)
0 3.35b
32 4.06b
64 2.42a
96 3.26ab
LSD (5%) 0.92
CV (%) 33.70
SEM (±) 0.32
ns= non significant; Means followed by the same letters are not
significantly different (P < 0.05).

Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Application on Concentration and Uptake of Respective Element by Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at North Shoa, Koticho kebele, Central Highlands of Ethiopia
 Int. J. Plant Breed. Crop Sci. 341

Total P uptake by wheat
The analysis of variance indicated that total P uptake
(straw + grain uptake) was significantly (P<0.01) affected
by N or P as well as with the interaction of N and P
fertilizers (Table: 9).
Total P uptake by both grain and straw ranged from 9.45
to 25.22 kg/ha. The greatest quantity of P uptake (25.22
kg/ha) was recorded for 96/69 kg N/P2O5/ha which was
significantly different from other treatment combinations.
The lowest total P uptake by wheat was recorded for the
control plot, which was statistically at par with treatment
combinations of 0/69, 96/46, 64/0, 96/23, 32/0 and 96/0 kg
N/P2O5/ha (Table 8). The results further revealed that P
uptake by wheat was higher at higher N and P
combinations. This might probably be attributed to the fact
that synergetic relation of P and N in uptake by the plant.
In agreement with the present result, Kabir et al. (2011)
have reported that the highest total P uptake by wheat was
recorded in treatment receiving N/P of 140/40 kg/ha
whereas the lowest value was recorded for the control
treatment.

Table 8: Total P uptake (kg/ha) by wheat as affected by interaction of N and P fertilization

P2O5 Rate (kg/ha)
N (kg/ha) 0 23 46 69 Mean
0 9.45a 16.21efg 16.16efg 9.69a 12.88
32 11.03ab 15.69def 19.43g 15.5cdef 15.41
64 11.99abc 15.53def 15.6def 17.6fg 15.18
96 12.36abcd 11.16ab 14.04bcde 25.22h 15.70
Mean 11.21 14.65 16.31 17.00
LSD (5%) 3.531
CV (%) 14.3
SEM (±) 1.222
Variable means followed by the same letters are not significantly different (P < 0.05) according to LSD Tests.
Table 9: ANOVA showing mean squares for grain and straw N and P concentration and uptake (x10-2)
Characters (a) N (3) P(3) N X P (9) Error (30)
CNG 16.831** 8.16** 21.81** 1.61
CPG 33.32** 11.60** 3.85** 0.01
CNS 9.23** 2.64** 1.01ns 0.49
CPS 0.45** 0. 47** 0. 19** 0.06
NUS 9776.00** 2162.00ns 993.00ns 1319.00
NUG 98760.00** 18120.00ns 23390.00ns 12280.00
TNU 159670.00** 22570.00ns 25210.00ns 13210.00
PUS 144124.00* 44054.00ns 28753.00ns 5874.00
PUG 2540.80** 7808.60** 4437.60** 310.60
TPU 136230.00** 848810.00** 619020.00** 39330.00
**, *= highly significant (P<0.01) and significant (P< 0.05) respectively, ns= non-significant; (a) = Number in parenthesis shows degree
of freedom for respective source of variation; CNG= Concentration of N in wheat grain, CPG= Concentration of P in wheat grain, CNS=
Concentration of N in wheat straw, CPS= Concentration of P in wheat straw, NUG= Nitrogen uptake by wheat grain, PUG= Phosphorus
uptake by wheat grain, NUS= Nitrogen uptake by wheat straw, PUS= Phosphorus uptake by wheat straw, TNU= Total N uptake, TPU=
Total P uptake.

CONCLUSIONS and P and significant (P<0.05) difference in total P uptake

Analysis of variance for N concentration revealed that
there were highly significant (P < 0.01) differences among
the treatment combinations for concentration of N and P in
grains. Main effect of N or P also showed highly significant
(P<0.01) differences for N concentration in the straw, but
non-significant differences was observed due to
interaction. Similarly, there were highly significant
(P<0.01) differences for grain P concentration due to
treatment combinations. But, non-significant difference
was observed for straw P content due to interaction as well
as main effect of N or P.
There were also highly significant (P<0.01) differences for
total N uptake, grain N uptake and straw N uptake due to
main effect of N. The main effect of P and its interaction
with N had no significant difference for those parameters.
Highly significant (P<0.01) differences were also observed
in P uptake by wheat grain due to interaction between N
Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Application on Concentration and Uptake of Respective Element by Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at North Shoa, Koticho kebele, Central Highlands of Ethiopia
by straw due to main effect of P. However, there was non-
significant difference in P uptake by straw due to treatment
interaction and main effect of P.
Based on the results of this study, it could be concluded
that application of N fertilizer at the rate of 96 kg/ha
resulted in the highest N uptake. The highest total P uptake
was recorded from 96 kg N/ha by 69kg P2O5/ha.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank Salale University for financial support
until I complete this paper. I would also like to acknowledge
Grar Jarso Woreda Agricultural office for providing me
research field and Debre Birhan Agricultural Research
Center for its support in laboratory analysis. Without their
passionate participation and input, this study could not
have been successfully completed.
`
Alemu Jorgo 342
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Accepted 16 October, 2017.
Citation: Jorgo AD (2018). Effect of Nitrogen and
Phosphorus Application on Concentration and Uptake of
Respective Element by Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at
North Shoa, Koticho kebele, Central Highlands of Ethiopia.
International Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science,
5(1): 335-343.
Copyright: © 2018 Alemu Jorgo. This is an open-access
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